| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Savannah College of Art and Design | Georgia |
| 2 | DePaul University | Illinois |
| 3 | Texas A&M University | Texas |
| 4 | University of Texas at Dallas | Texas |
| 5 | University of Central Florida | Florida |
| 6 | Academy of Art University | California |
| 7 | Purdue University | Indiana |
| 8 | Drexel University | Pennsylvania |
| 9 | University of Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| 10 | North Carolina State University | North Carolina |
For our graduate degree rankings, we have evaluated animation schools and programs with the best Master of Arts (MA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Master of Science (MS) options. To determine which degree matches your career goals, it is important to understand how each qualification differs.
The Master of Arts (MA) is an advanced degree that focuses on areas such as the humanities. MA degrees are typically available in the areas of communications, English, teaching, literature, linguistics, art, and languages. Seminars are the main method of learning for MA programs and most programs do not require a thesis.
The Master of Science (MS) degree option typically focuses on science, technology, engineering and math. This advanced degree often includes immersive lab work, scientific research, analysis, and evaluation. Unlike MA programs, most MS programs require a thesis.
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is academically recognized as a terminal degree and it is typically awarded in the visual, fine and performing arts. The MFA degree demands the highest level of professional competency in these areas and practicing artists must exhibit the highest level of accomplishment through the generation of a body of work.
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) serves more than 18,500 students from the U.S. and 100 different countries. Hosting one of the world’s largest student-run film festivals and home to Savannah Studios—one of the largest university film studios in the U.S.—SCAD provides an MA and dual BFA/MA through Gradpath@SCAD. Programs culminate with a thesis and exhibition. SCAD Animation alumni are routinely hired at places such as DreamWorks, Epic Games, Lucasfilm Animation, Nickelodeon, Electronic Arts (EA), Disney Animation, Pixar, 20th Century Studios, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros. Animation, Activision Blizzard, and Sony Pictures Animation.
Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media at DePaul University (DePaul) has one of the largest full-time animation faculties in the U.S. Graduate program options for animators include the Animation MA, BA/MA, and BFA/MA. Concentration options include 3D Animation; Motion Graphics; Storyboarding and Character Design; Technical Artist; and Traditional Animation. Graduates of the Animation programs at DePaul University go on to land roles at places such as DreamWorks Animation, Cartoon Network, Electronic Arts (EA), Disney Animation Studios, Nickelodeon, Epic Games, Warner Bros. Animation, Blizzard Entertainment, Google, and LAIKA.
The College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts (PVFA) at Texas A&M University (TAMU) is one of the largest visual and performing arts colleges within a public university. This multidisciplinary school houses a Visualization MS program with an emphasis in Computer Animation. Program highlights include professional internships; collaborative projects; the Annual Career Fair; and the Summer Industry Workshop. Visualization graduates are routinely hired at places such as Pixar, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Electronic Art (EA), DreamWorks Animation, Epic Games, Amazon, Reel FX, Blizzard Entertainment, and Gearbox Software.
The Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (ATEC) program at University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) launched in 2002, making it the state’s first arts and technology degree. Housed in the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology (Bass School), the program has an MA option that allows students to focus their studies in areas such as animation, science and technology, or games. The culminating experience for the program is a thesis or research project with exhibition. Graduates can be found at places such as Pixar, Google, Activision Blizzard, Disney, LAIKA, NBCUniversal, Amazon, Gearbox Software, Microsoft, Dell, IBM, RTX, Meta, and Verizon.
University of Central Florida (UCF) houses an Interactive Entertainment MS program and a Digital Media MA program. As part of UCF’s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA), students benefit from internships with major studios and 24/7 access to state-of the art production studios. UCF FIEA graduates are routinely hired at places such as Pixar, Electronic Arts (EA), Disney, Marvel, Epic Games, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DreamWorks, Blizzard Entertainment, and Apple.
The STEM-designated School of Animation and Visual Effects at Academy of Art University (AAU) houses the Animation and Visual Effects MA program. Emphasis areas include 2D Animation; 3D Animation; 3D Modeling; Stop Motion; Storyboarding; and Visual Effects. All students have the opportunity to work on real films being produced for streaming platforms, theaters, and television through StudioX. Examples of past productions include Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station, and THEEB. AAU also provides 24/7 remote access to rLab. AAU graduates have been hired at places such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Riot Games, Sony Pictures Animation, Weta FX, DNEG, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Marvel, Google, and LAIKA.
Purdue University (Purdue) is home to Purdue Polytechnic Institute. Serving more than 7,000 students at 11 locations across Indiana, the school houses the Department of Computer Graphics Technology (CGT). Within the department is a STEM-designated major in Animation and Visual Effects (ANFX) leading to a CGT MS, and a Five-Year CGT BS/MS. All students have the opportunity to complete a professional internship, several animated films, and a study abroad experience. Graduates can be found at places such as Disney, DreamWorks, and Animation Mentor. Some alumni have also gone on to launch their own studios or freelance businesses.
The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design at Drexel University houses the Digital Media MS; Dual Animation and VFX BS/Digital Media MS; and the Digital Media and Virtual Production BS/Digital Media MS. The Digital Media programs are STEM Designated. Across all programs, students have the opportunity to complete a paid or unpaid co-op at places such as Pixar or Cartoon Network. Students also enjoy small class sizes and access to state-of-the-art production facilities. Graduates have gone on to work on projects such as The Mandalorian and Avengers: Infinity War. Alumni have also been hired at places such as DreamWorks, Pixar, NCSoft, Disney, and Microsoft.
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) has a Computer Graphics and Game Technology (CGGT) Engineering MS (MSE) that provides access to state-of-the-art production facilities such as the SIG Center for Computer Graphics and Penn Animation Research Lab. Other program benefits include internships; independent research; and study abroad experiences. Graduates are routinely hired at place such as DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Microsoft, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation, Electronic Arts (EA), Google, Zynga, Activision Blizzard, and Sony.
The College of Design at North Carolina State University (NC State) houses the Department of Media Arts, Design and Technology (MADTech). Within the department is a Masters of Art + Design (MAD). Program highlights include access to state-of-the-art production facilities and labs; studios in other majors; internship opportunities; and study abroad in places such as Prague, Greece, and Chile. The program culminates with an animation project. Graduates go on to land positions at places such as Razorfish, Apple, Nike, Google, Adidas, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, and Red Hat.
