What are the top illustration schools in the southwest for 2025?
| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brigham Young University | Utah |
| 2 | Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design | Colorado |
| 3 | University of Colorado Denver | Colorado |
| 4 | University of Arizona | Arizona |
| 5 | University of Utah | Utah |
| 6 | Southern Utah University | Utah |
| 7 | University of Central Oklahoma | Oklahoma |
| 8 | Texas State University | Texas |
| 9 | Utah Valley University | Utah |
| 10 | Oklahoma Baptist University | Oklahoma |
Our 2024 rankings of the top illustration programs in the Southwest US.
We define the Southwest as Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada.
For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
The College of Fine Arts and Communications (CFAC) at Brigham Young University (BYU) houses the Department of Design. Within the Department is a Limited Enrollment (LEP) Illustration BFA program that accepts just 40 students per academic year. With courses such as 3D Digital Illustration, Sketchbook, and Narrative Illustration, this 120 credit hour program culminates with the BFA Illustration Capstone Project. Graduates go on to secure roles in advertising, publishing, medical and scientific illustration, entertainment, exhibition design, architecture, fashion design, and mural production. Some program alumni have also gone on to launch their own creative studios or freelance businesses.
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) houses an Illustration BFA program that can be completed on campus or online. An online Illustrative Design BFA is also available. The Illustration BFA has concentrations in Children’s Books, Concept Art, and Sequential Art. The Illustrative Design BFA explores technology, design thinking, graphic design, and illustration. All students benefit from small class sizes; internship opportunities; access to industry standard software and facilities; and collaborative projects with professional Illustrators. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles in areas such as advertising, graphic design, animation, book publishing, cartooning, game art, and comics.
The College of Arts and Media (CAM) at University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) houses an Illustration BFA program and a minor for students in other majors such as 3D Graphics and Animation or Digital Design. The BFA provides opportunities to work on projects for clients such as Pixar and the Denver Art Museum. BFA students also have access to state-of-the art digital labs, industrial equipment, and sculpture studios, as well as the CU Denver internship and study abroad programs. The BFA program culminates with the Illustration BFA Thesis course and exhibition. Graduates are prepared to pursue creative roles in areas such as children’s book publishing, animation, comics, advertising, and games.
The College of Fine Arts at University of Arizona (UArizona) houses the School of Art. Within the school is a Studio Art program with BFA and MFA options. Students in both programs may enroll in the Illustration, Design, and Animation (IDA) emphasis. Other program benefits include team projects with local clients; participation in the Book Art Collective or UA Illustration + Design; internships; field trips; and study abroad experiences. Programs culminate with an exhibition in the School of Art’s Lionel Rombach and Joseph Gross galleries. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in areas such as children’s books, animation, graphic design, advertising, editorial, and product design.
The Department of Art and Art History at University of Utah (The U) houses an Art BFA program with an emphasis in Illustration. All students benefit from the ArtsForce program—a workshop and events-based initiative that connects students to mentors, peers, and faculty members for professional development and networking. Other program features include hands-on courses and projects, and summer study abroad programs with a focus on drawing and printmaking. The culminating experience for the program is the Illustration Capstone. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in areas such as book publishing, digital media, advertising, animation, game design, comics, and graphic design.
Southern Utah University (SUU) is home to the College of Performing and Visual Arts (CVPA), which houses the Department of Filmmaking, Art and Design. Within the department is a Studio Art BFA with an Illustration emphasis, and an Illustration minor. Across programs, students benefit from immersive workshops and seminars; opportunities to exhibit works; participation in critiques and discussions; and internships and study abroad experiences. The program culminates with the BFA Exhibition and Portfolio event. Graduates are prepared to pursue creative roles in areas such as traditional book publishing, graphic design, animation, newspaper and magazine publishing, film, game art and design, children’s book publishing, fine art, toy design, architecture, comic books, advertising, and education.
The College of Fine Arts and Design as University of Central Oklahoma (UCO is home to the School of Design (UCO Design). Within the school is an Illustration minor and MFA program provided in collaboration with the Jackson College of Graduate Studies. Program benefits include access to state-of-the-art labs, studios, and production facilities; the opportunity to join the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA); and professional internships. The MFA program culminates with the Thesis Exhibition. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles such as Senior Illustrator, Advertising Manager, Art Director, Lead Exhibition Designer, Production Manager, Art Educator, and Creative Consultant. Some program alumni also go on to launch their own creative or freelance businesses.
The College of Fine Arts and Communication at Texas State University (TXST) houses the School of Art and Design. Within the school is a Communication Design BFA that is considered one of the largest public programs in the U.S. Students can study illustration through required coursework and electives. Course examples include Digital Illustration; Animation; Character Development for Illustration; Book Design; Illustration Techniques and Materials; Poster Design; and Editorial Illustration. Other program benefits include the Communication Design Practicum (internship), and access to state-of-the-art computer labs and studios. Graduates have gone on to land positions at places such as Disney, Microsoft, IBM, Google, DDB, H-E-B Digital, and Verizon.
The School of the Arts (SOA) at Utah Valley University (UVU) is one of the largest art schools in the state. Within the school is the Department of Art and Design, which has two paths to study Illustration: the Art and Design AAS with a Design/Illustration emphasis; and the Art and Design BFA with an Illustration emphasis. This program provides opportunities to focus in an area of interest through electives such as Children’s Book Illustration; 2D Animation for Illustration; Sequential Illustration; and Environment Design. Other SOA benefits include internship opportunities at places such as Paramount and The Met, and international internship in places such as the Italy and the UK. The BFA program culminates with a gallery exhibition or professional portfolio. Graduates of are prepared to pursue creative roles in areas such as book publishing, animation, toy design, magazine publishing, game design, and advertising.
The Warren M. Angell School of Visual and Performing Arts at Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) houses the Division of Art and Design. Within the division is an Art BA opportunities to study illustration through required courses and electives. Examples include Illustration I-II; Color Theory; Advanced Drawing; and Digital Painting. Other program features include study tours in New York City; internships with OKC Thunder and Legacy Bank; and access to state-of-the art labs across three campus buildings. Graduates go on to establish careers as designers and illustrators in areas such as book publishing, animation, game design, advertising, graphic design, galleries, architecture, and web design.