Top Animation Programs in New York

A number of college ranking agencies and groups have decided that certain factors separate the best schools from all the rest. These agencies or groups may consider factors such as graduation and retention rates, student selectivity, and variety of program offerings when deciding which schools are best. But what may qualify as a “top school” to students may have more to do with how affordable a school may be, where its located, and having a hassle-free admissions process, than how many students graduate each year.

As you may have already guessed, many “top school lists” are student-generated, while others may be the work of bloggers, alums, and others. Not surprisingly, a number of top schools are also on many “best school lists!” Continue reading to find out about New York’s top schools for animators from highest to lowest student population. Please note that the schools are in order from largest to smallest student population.

Top Animation Programs New York City

Brooklyn
Brooklyn College, The City University of New York
Student Population: 17,000
Backdrop: Urban, 26-acre campus, easy access to all of New York
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Concentration in Digital Art; M. F. A. Art with Concentration in Digital Art

Queens
St. John’s University
Student Population: 15,720
Backdrop: Urban 98-acre campus, easy access to New York
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Illustration, Graphic Design

New York
Fashion Institute of Technology
Student Population: 10,000
Backdrop: Urban, 5-acre campus in New York’s Chelsea area
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Computer Animation and Interactive Media, Graphic Design, Illustration; M. F. A. Illustration; A. A. S. Communication Design, Fine Arts, Illustration

New York
Parsons The New School for Design
Student Population: 4,254
Backdrop: Urban, Greenwich Village campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Communication Design, Design and Technology, Illustration; M. F. A. Design and Technology

Brooklyn
Pratt Institute
Student Population: 3,008
Backdrop: Urban, 26-acre campus, easy access to all of New York
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Communications Design, Digital Arts; M. F. A. Communications Design, Digital Arts; M. S. Communications Design (with optional Emphasis in Digital Design), Package Design

New York
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
Student Population: 927
Backdrop: Urban, access to all of New York
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design

Top Animation Programs State of New York Cities and Towns

Syracuse
Syracuse University
Student Population: 14,671
Backdrop: Central New York, 200-acre campus overlooking downtown Syracuse
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Computer Art and Animation, Graphic Design, Communications Design, Illustration; M. F. A. Computer Art, Illustration

Ithaca
Cornell University
Student Population: 13,935
Backdrop: Small town, 745-acre campus, easy access to Syracuse
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Digital Media Concentration, Undergraduate Concentration in Computing in the Arts (offered with the Art, Computer Science, Dance, Film, Music and Psychology programs)

Rochester
Rochester Institute of Technology
Student Population: 13,582
Backdrop: Suburban, 1,300-acre campus, easy access to Buffalo
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Film and Animation, Illustration, Graphic Design, 3D Digital Graphics, New Media Design and Imaging; B. S. Game Design and Development, Media Arts and Technology, New Media Interactive Development; M. F. A. Computer Graphics Design, Film and Animation, Graphic Design; M. S. Game Design and Development

Oswego
State University of New York at Oswego
Student Population: 8,500
Backdrop: Rural, 700-acre campus on Lake Ontario
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Illustration, Graphic Design, Studio Art with Concentration in Digital Media

New Paltz
State University of New York at New Paltz
Student Population: 6,814
Backdrop: Small town, 216-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design

Purchase
Purchase College, State University of New York
Student Population: 4,052
Backdrop: Small town, 550-acre campus, easy access to New York City
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design, B. A. New Media

Sarasota Springs
Skidmore College
Student Population: 2,689
Backdrop: Small town, 750-acre campus, walking distance to downtown Saratoga Springs
Degrees Offered: B. S. Studio Art with Concentration in Communication Design, Digital Media

Alfred
Alfred University/New York State College of Ceramics
Student Population: 2,000
Backdrop: Historic small town, 232-acre campus, easy access to Rochester
Degrees Offered: Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Digital Interactive Arts; M. F. A. Electronic Integrated Arts

Albany
Sage College of Albany
Student Population: 900
Backdrop: Urban, 15-acre campus
B. F. A. Graphic and Media Design

Sources

Peterson’s, www.petersons.com
Princeton Review, www.princetonreview.com
U.S. News & World Report College Rankings, www.usnews.com/rankings