What are the top illustration schools in the South for 2025?
| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ringling College of Art and Design | Florida |
| 2 | Savannah College of Art and Design | Georgia |
| 3 | University of Central Florida | Florida |
| 4 | University of Georgia | Georgia |
| 5 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | North Carolina |
| 6 | University of Miami | Florida |
| 7 | East Carolina University | North Carolina |
| 8 | Kennesaw State University | Georgia |
| 9 | Louisiana Tech University | Louisiana |
| 10 | Jacksonville University | Florida |
Our 2025 ranking of the Top 10 Illustration School Programs in the South. For an explanation of our ranking criteria, click here.
We define the South as Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas.
1. Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, Florida
The Illustration Department at Ringling College of Art and Design (RCAD) has an Illustration BFA program with two paths including General Illustration and Visual Development. To enhance the program, students can add a minor such as Graphic Design or Creative Writing. Other program benefits include 24/7 access to Cintiq labs and drawing studios; internships with places such as Pixar and Hasbro; and the opportunity to work at RCAD’s In-House Design firm the Design Center. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, Apple, Cartoon Network, Hallmark, EA Games, Google, American Greetings, Riot Games, Abercrombie & Fitch, Disney, Hasbro, United Airlines, and GM.
2. Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Georgia
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) provides BA, BFA, MA, and MFA degrees in illustration. Across programs, students can enhance the curriculum through electives or by adding a minor such as Advertising and Branding or Scientific Illustration. The BFA also requires a concentration in Dynamic Illustration and Publication; Illustration for Surface Design; or Visual Development. The MFA highlights features two graduate internships and all SCAD students have the opportunity to spend a quarter abroad at SCAD Lacoste or other location. SCAD Illustration graduates have landed positions at places such as The New York Times, Walt Disney Imagineering, A&E, Bento Box Entertainment, and Converse.
3. University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
The School of Visual Arts and Design (SVAD) at University of Central Florida (UCF) houses an Art BA program with a Studio track, and a Studio Art BFA. Both programs allow students to specialize in Illustration and complete a professional internship. The Studio Art BFA culminates with the BFA Exhibit/Seminar course. BA students will complete a professional portfolio of their best work to graduate. UCF SVAD alumni have landed positions at places such as Pixar, Electronic Arts (EA), Blizzard Entertainment, Apple, DreamWorks, Amazon, Universal Orlando, Disney, Weta FX, Google, and YouTube.
4. University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
University of Georgia (UGA) is home to the Lamar Dodd School of Art. Within the school is an Art BFA with a concentration in Scientific Illustration. Program benefits include participation in the year-round study abroad program in Cortona, Italy, and the New York MAYmester program; access to state-of-the-art production facilities and studio spaces; dedicated classrooms; and professional internships. The program culminates with a senior capstone and exhibition. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles in traditional, biological, and medical illustration. They have been hired at places such as advertising agencies, publishing firms, animation studios, medical practices, game studios, and the U.S. Military.
5. University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) is home to the College of Arts + Architecture (COA+A). Serving more than 1,000 students, the COA+A houses the Department of Art and Art History, home to the Art BFA with a concentration in Illustration. Program features include paid internship opportunities; three exhibition spaces; access to the state-of-the-art Print Media and Macy Graphic Design Computer Labs; and membership in campus organizations such as the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Student Chapter. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in areas such as children’s book publishing, animation, graphic design, printmaking, and film storyboarding.
6. University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida
The College of Arts and Sciences (C&S) at University of Miami (UofM) houses the Department of Art and Art History, home to the Studio Art MFA with a focus in Digital Imaging/Illustration + Multimedia. Students in this program will work and learn in state-of-the-art computer labs and studio spaces; attend seminars and participate in critiques; interact with visiting lecturers; and take field trips to businesses and museums. The Studio Art MFA culminates with the Thesis and Exhibition. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles in areas such as publishing, game design, animation, advertising, fine art, graphic design, consulting, and art education.
7. East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina
The College of Fine Arts and Communication (CFAC) at East Carolina University (ECU) is home to the School of Art and Design (SoAD). Within the school is an Art BFA program with an Illustration concentration, and interdisciplinary studios and coursework in book arts, letterpress, and community arts. Program features include access to state-of-the art computer labs; internships; the Art and Design in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) study abroad program; and participation in the BFA Exhibition. Graduates are prepared to pursue titles such as Children’s Book Illustrator, Comic Book Artist, Storyboard Artist, Game Artist, Advertising Illustrator, Printmaker, and Freelance Illustrator.
8. Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia
The School of Art and Design (SOAAD) at Kennesaw State University (KSU) houses an Art BFA with two concentrations including Illustration, and Comics and Sequential Art. Students may also add a second concentration such as Painting and Drawing or Graphic Communications. Other program benefits include access to state-of-the-art computer studios; visiting artists; summer art intensives; internships; and the opportunity to study abroad and enroll in the Comics curriculum at ESA Saint-Luc in Bruxells, Belgium. Program alumni have gone on to become illustrators for animation studios, publishing companies, advertising agencies, film studios, packaging companies, major brands, and game studios.
9. Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana
The College of Liberal Arts (COLA) at Louisiana Tech University (Louisiana Tech) houses the School of Design (SOD), and the College of Engineering and Science (COES). Both provide several pathways to study Illustration including a multidisciplinary Studio Art BFA program (SOD), and a Biomedical Engineering BS program (BSBM) with a Pre-Medical Illustration (COES). Studio Art students may customize an illustration focus through elective and major course options. BSBM students will take courses such as Illustration Materials and Techniques; Drawing; Fine Arts Appreciation; Digital Painting; Figure Drawing; and Graphic Design Software. Louisiana Tech graduates enjoy a near-perfect 97% placement rate. Alumni have been hired at places such as Disney, Amazon, IBM, Boeing, and Dell.
10. Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville University (JU) is home to the Linda Berry Stein College of Fine Arts and Humanities. Within the college is the School of Art and Design, which has three paths to study illustration including the Art BA and BFA with an Illustration concentration, and the Illustration minor. All students benefit from shared and private illustration studios in the STEAM Institute for Student Design; visiting artists; and internship opportunities. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles in areas such as children’s book publishing, concept art, editorial illustration, comics, graphic novels, advertising, and packaging design.