| Ranking | School | City | Ranking by Region | National Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | School of Visual Arts | New York | #1 on East Coast | #5 |
| #2 | Pratt Institute | Brooklyn | #3 on East Coast | #8 |
| #3 | New York University | New York | #4 on East Coast | #10 |
| #4 | Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester | #5 on East Coast | #14 |
| #5 | The New School | New York | #8 on East Coast | #29 |
| #6 | Fashion Institute of Technology | New York | #13 on East Coast | Unranked |
| #7 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Troy | #14 on East Coast | Unranked |
| #8 | New York Institute of Technology | New York | #19 on East Coast | Unranked |
| #9 | Alfred State College | Alfred | #24 on East Coast | Unranked |
| #10 | Syracuse University | Syracuse | #25 on East Coast | Unranked |
Our 2026 ranking -our fifteenth annual- of the top animation school programs in New York.
The criteria we used for the animation rankings consists, in no particular order, of the following: Academic reputation, Employment data, Admission selectivity, Depth and breadth of the program, Value as it relates to tuition and indebtedness, Graduation rate, and Retention rate. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
Serving nearly 800 students, the Animation Department at School of Visual Arts (SVA) is one of the nation’s largest. Program options include the Animation BFA; a 3D Animation and Visual Effects BFA; and the Computer Arts MFA with a focus in Animation, Motion Design, or Experimental Art. BFA graduates can be found at places such as Cartoon Network, DreamWorks, Lucasfilm Animation, Warner Bros. Animation, Nickelodeon, Walt Disney Animation Studios. Computer Art MFA students have been nominated for 13 Student Academy Awards and won nine. Graduates of this program are routinely hired at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Sony Pictures Imageworks, Pixar, DreamWorks, MTV, Electronic Arts (EA), Adobe, and Google.
The following factors contribute to School of Visual Arts' position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Elite Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 1)
Faculty Size: Expansive Faculty (Tier 1)
Graduate Employment: Exceptional Employment Outcomes (Tier 1)
Admissions Selectivity: Highly Accessible (Tier 5)
Average Net Cost: Substantial Average Net Cost (Tier 5)
Student Indebtedness: Substantial Student Debt (Tier 5)
Graduation Rate: Moderate Graduation Rate (Tier 3)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong First-Year Student Retention (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
The School of Art (SoArt) at Pratt Institute (Pratt) houses the Digital Arts and Animation Department. Within the department are several paths to study animation. Options include the Digital Arts BFA (2D Animation); the Digital Arts BFA (3D Animation); and the Digital Arts MFA (3D Animation and Motion Arts). Across programs, students benefit from frequent trips to festivals, exhibitions, shows, and screenings in New York City; collaborative projects; and Studio Crit, which hosts regular critique sessions for student films. Graduates can be found at places such as Nickelodeon, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DreamWorks, Cartoon Network, and Disney Animation Studios.
The following factors contribute to Pratt Institute's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Elite Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 1)
Faculty Size: Expansive Faculty (Tier 1)
Graduate Employment: Exceptional Employment Outcomes (Tier 1)
Admissions Selectivity: Moderately Selective (Tier 3)
Average Net Cost: Substantial Average Net Cost (Tier 5)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Moderate Graduation Rate (Tier 3)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong First-Year Student Retention (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
New York University’s (NYU) Tisch School of the Arts (Tisch) is home to the Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film and Television. Producing more than 5,000 films annually, the institute houses a Film and Television BFA program with an Animation Area. Students will work with traditional, 2D, 3D, and experimental animation, as well as visual effects and writing for animation. The program culminates with a final animated project. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles at major studios or launch their own studios. Program alumni can be found at places such as Pixar, DreamWorks, and Walt Disney Animation.
The following factors contribute to NYU's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Elite Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 1)
Faculty Size: Large Faculty (Tier 2)
Graduate Employment: Exceptional Employment Outcomes (Tier 1)
Admissions Selectivity: Highly Selective (Tier 1)
Average Net Cost: Elevated Average Net Cost (Tier 4)
Student Indebtedness: Moderate Student Debt (Tier 3)
Graduation Rate: Strong Graduation Rate (Tier 2)
First-Year Retention Rate: Exceptional First-Year Student Retention (Tier 1)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is home to the School of Film and Animation (SFA). This designated Center of Excellence (COE) by Toon Boon houses MAGIC Spell Studios—a 52,000 square foot state-of-the-art production and screening space. SFA programs include the Film and Animation BFA with an Animation option + 2D, 3D, and Stop Motion Animation tracks; a Motion Picture BS that combines engineering with art, animation, and film; and a Film and Animation MFA with 2D, 3D, and Stop Motion Animation options. Programs culminate with an industry-ready film and public screening event. RIT graduates are routinely hired at places such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, Electronic Arts (EA), Pixar, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Lucasfilm, PlayStation, and Epic Games.
The following factors contribute to RIT's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Elite Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 1)
Faculty Size: Large Faculty (Tier 2)
Graduate Employment: Exceptional Employment Outcomes (Tier 1)
Admissions Selectivity: Accessible (Tier 4)
Average Net Cost: Moderate Average Net Cost (Tier 3)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Moderate Graduation Rate (Tier 3)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong First-Year Student Retention (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
The New School is home to Parsons School of Design and the School of Continuing and Professional Education. Within Parsons is a STEM-designated Design and Technology program leading to a BFA or MFA. The school also has a Fine Art BFA program that allows students to study experimental animation and time-based media. An Art, Media, and Technology BFA program is available exclusively at Parsons Paris and Continuing Studies has a Motion Design and Animation certificate program. Across degree options, students benefit from professional internship opportunities, and participation in projects with artists from places such as Nickelodeon, Google, MTV, Apple, The New York Times, IBM, and Intel. Graduates have been hired at places such as DreamWorks, Rockstar Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Disney, Nickelodeon, Riot Games, Microsoft, IDEO, Google, Apple, Oracle, Pentagram, and Meta.
The following factors contribute to The New School's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Excellent Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 2)
Faculty Size: Mid-Sized Faculty (Tier 3)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Moderately Selective (Tier 3)
Average Net Cost: Substantial Average Net Cost (Tier 5)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Moderate Graduation Rate (Tier 3)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong First-Year Student Retention (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
The School of Art and Design at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) has an Animation, Interactive Media, and Game Design BFA program that focuses on 2D /3D animation; interactive storytelling; programming; AR/VR; and game engines. Program features include a collaborative environment designed to mirror professional production pipelines; courses taught by active industry professionals; the option to add a minor such as Creative Technology, Art History, or Color Studies; professional internships; and access to state-of-the-art studios and labs. The program culminates with a final project to be presented at the School of Art and Design’s Graduating Student Exhibition. Graduates have gone on to land positions at places such as Disney, Epic Games, Weta FX, Lucasfilm, Pixar, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Electronic Arts (EA), Marvel, Warner Bros., Blizzard Entertainment, and Activision Blizzard.
The following factors contribute to FIT's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Moderate Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 4)
Faculty Size: Mid-Sized Faculty (Tier 3)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Moderately Selective (Tier 3)
Average Net Cost: Moderate Average Net Cost (Tier 3)
Student Indebtedness: Minimal Student Debt (Tier 1)
Graduation Rate: Strong Graduation Rate (Tier 2)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong First-Year Student Retention (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
One of the nation’s oldest technical universities, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) provides programs that focus on experiential learning experiences through paid co-op experiences. This allows students to gain marketable, real-world experience before graduation. Programs for animators are part of the Houdini Certified School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) and the School of Science. Options include the Electronic Arts BS, PhD, and minor; Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences BS (GSAS BS) with a concentration in Electronic Arts; Communication, Media, and Design BS; and the Computer Science BS with a minor in Electronic Arts. Across programs, students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and centers such as the HASS Media Studio, the Emergent Reality Lab (ERL), and Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC). Programs culminate with a final project and presentation. Graduates go on to land positions at places such as DreamWorks, Hasbro, Blizzard Entertainment, Disney, Microsoft, Bethesda, NVIDIA, Apple, Boeing, Google, Amazon, and Dell.
The following factors contribute to RPIs position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Strong Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 3)
Faculty Size: Compact Faculty (Tier 5)
Graduate Employment: Moderate Employment Outcomes (Tier 3)
Admissions Selectivity: Moderately Selective (Tier 3)
Average Net Cost: Elevated Average Net Cost (Tier 4)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Strong Graduation Rate (Tier 2)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong First-Year Student Retention (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
The School of Architecture and Design at New York Institute of Technology (NYIT or New York Tech) houses the Department of Digital Art and Design. Within the department a Digital Arts BFA, which focuses on animation, game design and motion graphics. Program highlights include internships at places such as NBCUniversal, HBO, Google, and MTV; access to state-of-the-art facilities and labs such as The HIVE (Home for Innovation, Visualization, and Exploration); opportunities to present work at the Annual NYIT Film and Animation Festival; and study abroad experiences in places such as Italy and the UK. Graduates have secured positions at places such as Disney, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Tesla.
The following factors contribute to NYIT's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Strong Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 3)
Faculty Size: Compact Faculty (Tier 5)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Accessible (Tier 4)
Average Net Cost: Moderate Average Net Cost (Tier 3)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Low Graduation Rate (Tier 5)
First-Year Retention Rate: Moderate First-Year Student Retention (Tier 3)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
The School of Architecture, Management and Engineering Technology at Alfred State College (Alfred State) houses the Department of Digital Media and Animation (DMA). Within the department are two paths to study animation including the DMA AAS and the DMA BS. Program highlights include 24-hour access to state-of-the-art production studios; internship opportunities; and a Living Learning Community (LLC) known as Creative House. Designed specifically for DMA and Graphic and Media Design students, Creative House features workshops, mentors, studio workspace, and a screening room. The culminating experience for the DMA AAS is the digital portfolio and presentation. DMA BS students will complete a senior project and final portfolio. Graduates are prepared to pursue positions at animation and game design studios, advertising agencies, post-production houses, and toy manufacturing companies.
The College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) at Syracuse University (SU) is the first degree-granting school of its kind in the U.S. Within the VPA is the Department of Film and Media Arts, which houses the Computer Art and Animation BFA, Computer Art MFA, and Animation and Visual Effects (VFX) minor programs. Across programs, students benefit from participation in the VPA LA Semester program; the visiting artist series, with past guests such as past president of Pixar Animation Studios Jim Morris and actor/director Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul); access to state-of-the-art production facilities; and study abroad experiences in Italy and Czechia. Programs culminate with a final project and presentation. Graduates can be found at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Pixar, Blizzard Entertainment, Cartoon Network, Sony Pictures Imageworks, MPC, Tippett Studio, and Filmworks/FX.
The following factors contribute to Syracuse's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Moderate Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 4)
Faculty Size: Small Faculty (Tier 4)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Selective (Tier 2)
Average Net Cost: Substantial Average Net Cost (Tier 5)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Strong Graduation Rate (Tier 2)
First-Year Retention Rate: Exceptional First-Year Student Retention (Tier 1)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
