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Best Animation Programs in Missouri

Last updated December 30, 2021.

Being the most affordable animation school may be the number one priority for many struggling students, but for college ranking agencies, the amount of financial resources a school offers may carry more weight. When it comes to ranking schools, even having high enrollment figures may not help any given school make the cut. What makes any given school a “good” school or among the “best” schools depends on a variety of factors that have nothing to do with cost or popularity.

Many reputable college ranking agencies consider the same factors when selecting the best of the best. In addition to financial resources, ranking agencies may consider faculty resources (such as student-faculty ratio), variety and number of program offerings, peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, and student selectivity. Fortunately, many of Missouri’s 135+ accredited colleges and universities scored high in most areas, and some of them offer animation programs.

Just a few of the state’s best animation programs are offered at Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI), Missouri State University in Springfield, and Northwest Missouri State in Maryville. Browse through our list below to review more of the best animation school programs in Missouri and what they have to offer.

Best Animation School Programs - Major Missouri Cities

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Columbia
University of Missouri - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art, B. F. A. Art with Graphic Design Focus, M. F. A. Art, M. F. A. Art with Graphic Design Focus

Kansas City
Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Illustration, Painting, Digital Filmmaking, Animation, Digital Media, Graphic Design

Saint Charles
Lindenwood University – Degrees Offered: B. A. Digital Cinema Arts, Interactive Media and Web Design; B. F. A. Studio Art with Computer and Graphic Art Emphasis; M. A., M. F. A. Studio Art with Computer Art Emphasis

Springfield
Missouri State University – Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Option in Computer Animation, Digital Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration; B. S. Electronic Arts with Option in Computer Animation Studies, Multimedia Studies

St. Joseph
Missouri Western State University – Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Digital Animation, Graphic Design, Studio Art with Concentration in Illustration; M. A. A. Integrated Media

St. Louis
University of Missouri - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Studio Art with Graphic Design Emphasis
Webster University - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Alternative Media, Graphic Design Emphasis, B. A. Interactive Digital Media; M. A. Art with Graphic Design Emphasis

Best Animation School Programs – Other Missouri Cities and Towns

Cape Girardeau
Southeast Missouri State University - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Concentration in 3D Imaging and Animation, Graphic Design; B. S. Technology Management, Computer and Multimedia Graphics Option; M. S. Technology Management with Focus on Graphics and Multimedia

Joplin
Missouri Southern State University - Degrees Offered: B. A. Art with Graphic Design Emphasis

Maryville
Northwest Missouri State - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Graphic Design Specialization, B. S. Interactive Digital Media with Visual Imaging Concentration, Computer Science Concentration or New Media Concentration

Warrensburg
University of Central Missouri - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design, Studio Art with Illustration Emphasis

More Programs to Consider:

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Indiana University Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering at IUPUI
Selected Campus Locations:
  • Indianapolis, Indiana
Selected Programs: 
  • Media Arts and Science—B.S. (specialize in 3D Graphics and Animation or Game Design and Development)
  • 3D Graphics and Animation—minor
  • Game Design and Development—minor
  • Studio Art and Technology—minor
  • Virtual Production—certificate
Animation Career Review Rankings: 
  • Top 40 Nationally among Public Animation Schools and Colleges (#39) - 2023
  • Top 25 Animation Bachelor's of Science (BS) Degree Programs in the U.S. (#18) - 2023
  • Top 25 Animation Schools in Midwest (#17) - 2023
  • Top 5 Animation School Programs in Indiana (#3) - 2023
  • Top 25 Nationally among Public Game Design Schools in the U.S. (#25) - 2023
  • Top 20 Game Design Schools in the Midwest (#10) - 2023
Missouri State University logo Request info
Missouri State University
Selected Campus Locations:
  • Springfield, Missouri
Selected Programs: 
  • BFA Animation and BS in Electronic Arts in Animation
  • BFA Graphic Design and Illustration
  • BFA Sequential Arts (Comix)
Animation Career Review Rankings: 
  • Top 25 Nationally among Schools offering a BS in Animation (#22) - 2023
  • Top 5 in Missouri for Animation (#3) - 2023
  • Top 5 in Missouri for Graphic Design (#4) - 2022
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Academy of Art University
Selected Campus Locations:
  • San Francisco & Online
Selected Programs: 
  • Animation
  • Game Development
  • Graphic Design
  • Illustration
Animation Career Review Rankings: 
  • Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#15) - 2023
  • Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#36) - 2023
  • Top 50 Nationally for Graphic Design (#46) - 2022
  • Top 50 Nationally for Illustration (#29) - 2022
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Full Sail University
Selected Campus Locations:
  • Winter Park, FL & Online
Selected Programs: 
  • Computer Animation - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
  • Game Programs - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
  • Graphic Design & Digital Arts - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
  • Film & Digital Cinematography - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
  • Simulation & Visualization - Bachelor's - Campus
  • Game Business & Esports Bachelor’s of Science - Online & Campus
  • User Experience Bachelor's Degree – Online
Animation Career Review Rankings: 
  • Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#14) - 2023
  • Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#8) - 2023
  • Top 50 Nationally for Graphic Design (#33) - 2022
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CG Spectrum College of Digital Art & Animation
Selected Campus Locations:
  • Online
Selected Programs: 
  • 2D Animation
  • 3D Animation
  • 3D Modeling
  • Concept Art
  • Digital Illustration
  • Game Art & Animation
  • Game Design
  • Game Programming
  • VFX Compositing and FX
  • Real-time 3D & Virtual Production
  • Game Development - Programming, Design, Game Art & Animation, Real-time 3D & Virtual Production
Animation Career Review Rankings: 
  • Top 25 International Animation Training Programs (#25) - 2022

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