| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Savannah College of Art and Design | Georgia |
| 2 | Gnomon | California |
| 3 | School of Visual Arts | New York |
| 4 | University of Southern California | California |
| 5 | ArtCenter College of Design | California |
| 6 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pennsylvania |
| 7 | Rochester Institute of Technology | New York |
| 8 | Rhode Island School of Design | Rhode Island |
| 9 | DePaul University | Illinois |
| 10 | The DAVE School | Florida |
Our 2025 list of the Top 10 Private Visual Effects Schools in the US, our fourth annual rankings for VFX. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has a VFX program that provides opportunities to work with Disney, Electronic Arts (EA)) and even NASA through the school’s in-house design studio known as SCADPro. All students also have access to 800 networked computers and a 60,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art digital media center consisting of a green screen lab and a 75-seat in-house theater. Specific degree options for the VFX program include a BFA in VFX and Technical Animation, a VFX MA, and a VFX MFA. Programs are available at both the Atlanta and Savannah campuses. SCAD VFX graduates go on to land positions at places such as Lucasfilm, Blizzard Entertainment, Disney, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Microsoft, Pixar, Electronic Arts (EA), DreamWorks Animation, Blur Studio, and Pixomondo.
The VFX programs at Gnomon focus on training in industry-standard software such as Houdini, Nuke, ZBrush, Maya, Adobe After Effects, and V-Ray. Specific degree options include the Digital Production BFA and the Digital Production certificate. The school also provides 10-week standalone courses such as Visual Effects Tools and Techniques; Dynamic Effects; and HD Digital Filmmaking for VFX. Courses and programs take place in a production-like 45,000-square-foot facility in North Hollywood. Gnomon graduates enjoy a 95% placement rate and are often hired at studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Weta FX, Sony Pictures Animation, DNEG, Nickelodeon, Electronic Arts (EA), Sony Interactive Entertainment, Paramount, Framestore, and Netflix Studios.
The School of Visual Arts (SVA) has a 3D Animation and Visual Effects BFA program featuring courses taught in state-of-the-art computer labs outfitted with the latest industry-standard software. Computer labs are accessible remotely, 24/7/365 from any location. To gain experience before graduation, students have the opportunity to complete an internship with alumni-owned studios such as Augenblick and Titmouse. Graduates have been hired at places such as Lucasfilm Animation, Microsoft, Apple, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, Sony Pictures Animation, Google, and Walt Disney Animation Studios.
The School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) at University of Southern California (USC) is home to the John C. Hench Division of Animation and Digital Arts (Hench DADA). Within the division are the STEM-designated Animation and Digital Arts BFA and MFA programs; a comprehensive 3D Animation minor; and a Game Art BFA. Across degree programs, students may concentrate in Visual Effects. Minor students may select from a number of VFX electives. All Hench DADA students have the opportunity to collaborate on projects with students in divisions such as Production (Live Action) or Interactive Games. Graduates go on to launch their own studios or land positions at places such as Pixar, Sony Pictures Animation, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, Illumination and Digital Domain.
ArtCenter College of Design (ArtCenter) has an Entertainment Design BS program that prepares students for careers in VFX, animation, and games, among others. Students may customize coursework to fit their individual goals or select a formal track in Animation, Game Design or Concept Design. All students have access to VFX courses such as Visual Structure; CG 2 Mechanics; Worldbuilding; and Production Design. Graduates are routinely hired at places such as Marvel, Walt Disney Imagineering, Pixar, Riot Games, Microsoft, Paramount, DreamWorks Animation, Blizzard Entertainment, Warner Bros., and Apple.
In collaboration with the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) the school’s Integrative Design, Arts and Technology Network (IDeATe) provides an Animation and Special Effects minor. While this option is open to students in all programs, ideal pairings include the Bachelor of Computer Science and Art (BCSA); the Film and Visual Media BA; the Electronic and Time Based Media BFA; and the Video and Media Design MFA. With the minor, programs culminate with a final project, portfolio, and/or reel. Graduates go on to land positions at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Disney, Activision Blizzard, Sony Interactive Entertainment, DreamWorks Animation, Warner Bros. Games, Apple, Google, and Zynga.
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) provides several programs that incorporate VFX studies. These include the Film and Animation BFA with an Animation option/2D Animation, 3D Animation, and Stop Motion tracks; a STEM designated Motion Picture Science BS; and a Film and Animation MFA. All programs are multidisciplinary, with access to the 52,000 square foot MAGIC Spell Studios. Programs culminate with a final project to be presented at film festivals and student showcases. RIT graduates are routinely hired at a variety of places such as Lockheed Martin, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Microsoft, DreamWorks, Apple, Nickelodeon, Oracle, Lucasfilm, Electronic Arts (EA), Disney, Amazon, and Sony.
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) houses the Film/Animation/Video (FAV) Department, home to the FAV BFA program with the option to focus in Animation, Live Action, or Open Media. The program takes place in a professional studio environment, with access to courses such as Digital Effects and Compositing for the Screen; Computer Generated Imagery 3D; and Experimental Film Techniques. All students have opportunities to create final projects that focus on visual effects, animation, or other areas. This culminating project will be presented at the Annual RISD FAV Senior Show. Program alumni can be found at places such as DreamWorks, Pixar, and HBO. Others have gone on to launch their own studios or production companies.
The School of Cinematic Arts at DePaul University (DePaul) houses Film and Television BA, BFA, MS, and MFA degree programs; the Animation BA, BFA, MA, and MFA; the Game Design BS and MFA; and the Game Programming BS and MS, among others. A Visual Effects Animation concentration is available. Across programs, students also have access to the state-of-the-art 60,000-square-foot DePaul Cinespace Studios and the LA Quarter Program with internship opportunities at place such as DreamWorks Nickelodeon, and Disney. Graduates go on to work at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), LAIKA, Cartoon Network, DreamWorks, Blizzard Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation, Nickelodeon, and Disney.
Located on the backlot of Universal Studios, Florida, The DAVE School provides three paths to study visual effects. All programs are campus- and project-based, with opportunities to develop at least two VFX productions. Programs include the school’s flagship Virtual Production (VP) Diploma; the VFX Production Diploma; and the FX Production Diploma. Programs culminate with a demo reel and portfolio. DAVE alumni can be found at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), MPC, Disney, Marvel, Sony, Riot Games, Walmart Creative Studio, Apple, Blizzard Entertainment, and FuseFX.
