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What are the top animation schools in the southwest for 2026?
| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brigham Young University | Utah |
| 2 | Texas A&M University | Texas |
| 3 | University of Texas at Dallas | Texas |
| 4 | Arizona State University | Arizona |
| 5 | University of Colorado, Denver | Colorado |
| 6 | New Mexico State University | New Mexico |
| 7 | Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design | Colorado |
| 8 | University of Utah | Utah |
| 9 | Sam Houston State University | Texas |
| 10 | University of Advancing Technology | Arizona |
Our 2026 rankings -our fifteenth annual- of the Top 10 Animation Schools in the Southwest. We define the Southwest as Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
1. Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
Established in 2010, Brigham Young University (BYU) Center for Animation is an Unreal Academic Partner and Houdini Certified School that accepts no more than 25 students each year. Students can apply to the center through BYU’s Animation BFA program or the Computer Science BS with an Animation and Games emphasis. Program highlights include faculty mentoring; collaborative projects; and opportunities to intern with major studios such as Pixar, DreamWorks, and Disney. Graduates have landed positions at places such as Sony Pictures Animation, Nickelodeon, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney, Blizzard Entertainment, Pixar, Hasbro, Riot Games, DreamWorks, and Digital Domain.
2. Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
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 provides several paths to study animation including BS, MS, and MFA degrees in Visualization. BS students can focus in Animation Production, while MS students can select an emphasis in Computer Animation. MFA students may focus in Computer Animation, Visual Storytelling, Interactive Art, or Visual Effects. All students benefit from internship opportunities; 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 Arts (EA), DreamWorks Animation, Epic Games, Amazon, Reel FX, Blizzard Entertainment, and Gearbox Software.
3. University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
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 leads to a BA, MA, MFA, or PhD. BA students may concentrate in Animation and Games (A&G), while MFA students may specialize in Animation or Creative Practice. Both the BA and MFA are STEM-designated. MA and PhD students may focus their studies in areas such as animation, science and technology, or games. Culminating experiences may include a capstone project, 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.
4. Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University (ASU) provides several paths to study animation. Options include the Art BFA with a concentration in Animation; the Art MFA with a Digital Technology concentration; and an 18 credit-hour Animation minor. Through electives, MFA students can study stop motion animation, game art, visual effects (VFX), and screenwriting. All students have access to state-of-the-art production facilities and internship opportunities with local studios. Graduates have been hired at places such as Disney, Apple, Google, Microsoft, Adidas, and Intel.
5. University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado
The College of Arts and Media (CAM) at University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) houses the Department of Visual Arts (VA) and the Digital Animation Center (DAC). The department is home to the Visual Arts BFA with an emphasis in 3D Graphics and Animation. Students in the program will work and learn in the DAC, which is a state-of-the-art facility that houses labs, studios, and production areas. All students also have opportunities to complete an internship at places such as Disney and NBCUniversal. The culminating experience for the program is the completion of an industry-ready film and screening at the Visual Arts Thesis Exhibition at Redline Contemporary Art Center or other venue. Program alumni can be found at places such as Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney, Paramount Pictures, Cartoon Network, DreamWorks, Lucasfilm, Warner Bros. Animation, Nickelodeon, Sony, HBO, Google, and Apple.
6. New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico
The Creative Media Institute for Film and Digital Arts (CMI) at New Mexico State University (NMSU) houses a Bachelor of Creative Media Animation and Visual Effects (BCM-ANVE) with options in 2D Production Studio, and 3D & VFX Production Studio; a Digital Filmmaking BCM with animation electives; and an 18 credit-hour Animation and Visual Effects minor. All programs provide access to state-of-the-art animation lab, production space, post-production lab, and digital projection screening room. The BCM-ANVE program culminates with an animated film that can be entered into the Las Cruces International Film Festival. The Digital Filmmaking BCM culminates with an individual demo and promotion package. NMSU graduates have gone on to land positions at places such as DreamWorks, Disney, Amazon, Pixar, IBM, Lockheed Martin, NASA, the City of Las Cruces, and Rolls-Royce.
7. Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, Denver, Colorado
The Animation Department at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) houses an Animation BFA program with 2D Animation and 3D Animation emphasis areas. This collaborative program focuses on the 12 principles of animation and mastering software such as Toon Boom Harmony, Storyboard Pro, and Maya. Other program highlights include participation in intensive portfolio reviews; internship opportunities; and a final project and presentation. The program can be completed in four years, with year-round online and on-campus courses. Graduates have been hired at places such as Pixar, Nickelodeon, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney, Epic Games, Sony Pictures Animation, Cartoon Network, Microsoft, LAIKA, Warner Bros., and Blizzard Entertainment.
8. University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
The Department of Film and Media Arts at University of Utah (U of U or The U) has two paths to study animation including the Film and Media Arts BA (F&MA BA) with an Animation emphasis and the Animation Studies minor. Program features include state-of-the-art classrooms, studios, and production facilities; immersive workshops; professional internships; seminars; and optional study abroad experiences across 26 countries. Programs culminate with an animation project. Graduates have gone on to land positions at places such as Pixar, Lucasfilm, Warner Bros., Nickelodeon, and Paramount.
9. Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas
The College of Arts and Media at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is home to the Department of Art. Within the department is an Animation BFA that begins the Workshop in Art Studio and History (WASH) program. To enter the major, students must pass a BFA Portfolio Review in their second year. Advanced coursework and production take place in a studio-like environment, with activities led by industry professionals. The program culminates with a professional portfolio that includes a website, digital reel, and marketing materials customized for the animation, games, and film industries. Some graduates go on to pursue graduate studies at places such as SCAD or UT Dallas. Others can be found at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Zynga, Perkins&Will, Powerhouse Animation, and 900lbs.
10. University of Advancing Technology, Tempe, Arizona
As a 100% STEM-based institution, University of Advancing Technology (UAT) is one of the few universities of its kind in the U.S. For animators, the school has a Game Art and Animation (GAA) BA program that provides the opportunity to work in a real game production environment with designers and programmers. Other highlights include community projects, internships, and apprenticeships. The program culminates with a final project, portfolio, and presentation. UAT graduates can be found at places such as Blizzard Entertainment, Sony, Electronic Arts (EA), Sony, Gearbox Software, Bethesda, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, eBay, Boeing, GoDaddy, Cisco, Northrop Grumman, and Honeywell.