Did you know? Savannah College of Art and Design alumni have earned Academy Awards for work on such mind-blowing films as Avengers: Endgame, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and Toy Story 4. Learn more.
What are the top private Visual Effects schools in the US for 2026?
| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gnomon | California |
| 2 | Savannah College of Art and Design | Georgia |
| 3 | School of Visual Arts | New York |
| 4 | University of Southern California | California |
| 5 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pennsylvania |
| 6 | Rochester Institute of Technology | New York |
| 7 | Rhode Island School of Design | Rhode Island |
| 8 | ArtCenter College of Design | California |
| 9 | Academy of Art University | California |
| 10 | DePaul University | Illinois |
Our 2026 list of the Top 10 Private Visual Effects Schools in the US, our fifth annual rankings for VFX. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
1. Gnomon, Hollywood, California
Housed in a 45,000-square-foot facility in North Hollywood, Gnomon provides a BFA and certificate in Digital Production. Degree-seeking students may concentrate in Game Art or Visual Effects Animation. Led by active industry professionals, Gnomon also provides 10-week standalone courses such as Animation and Visual Effects; HD Digital Filmmaking for VFX; Principles of Visual Effects; and Visual Effects for Games. With a 98% BFA placement rate, Gnomon graduates go on to land positions at places such as DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Paramount, Amazon Game Studios, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Netflix, DNEG, Blizzard Entertainment, Epic Games, Marvel Studios, Weta FX, and Electronic Arts (EA).
2. Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Georgia
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) provides several paths to study visual effects. Options include the Visual Effects and Technical Animation BFA, and MA and MFA degrees in Visual Effects. Across programs, students have opportunities to work with the school’s in-house design studio, SCADPro. Partner companies include NASA, Electronic Arts (EA) and Disney. Other program highlights include access to a 60,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art digital media center (including a 75-seat theater); 800 networked computers; and the option to complete the programs in Atlanta or Savannah. SCAD VFX graduates can be found at places such as Pixar, Electronic Arts (EA), DreamWorks, Lucasfilm, Microsoft, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Blizzard Entertainment, Disney, and The Mill.
3. School of Visual Arts, New York, New York
The 3D Animation and Visual Effects BFA program at School of Visual Arts focuses on skills development in storytelling, the VFX pipeline, and CG. Other program highlights include 72 credits in studio courses; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; internship opportunities at alumni-owned studios such as Titmouse and Augenblick; collaborative projects; and participation in festivals such as Siggraph, Cannes Short Film Corner, and Animafest Zagreb. Graduates have been hired at places such as Disney, Google, Lucasfilm, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Microsoft, Nickelodeon, Apple, DreamWorks, MPC, and Sony.
4. University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
University of Southern California (USC) houses the School of Cinematic Arts. Within the school are several paths to study visual effects. Options include the STEM-designated Animation and Digital Arts BFA and MFA with a concentration in Visual Effects; a 3D Animation minor with VFX electives; and a Game Art BFA with a VFX focus area. Across programs students have opportunities to collaborate on projects; complete a professional internship; and study abroad in places such as London, Paris, and Tokyo. Graduates have launched their own studios or secured roles at places such as DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Pixar, Nickelodeon, Sony Pictures Animation, and Digital Domain.
5. Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Integrative Design, Arts and Technology Network (IDeATe) and the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) provide an Animation and Special Effects minor accessible to students in all majors. Ideal pairings include the Electronic and Time Based Media BFA; the Bachelor of Computer Science and Art (BCSA); the Film and Visual Media BA; and the Video and Media Design MFA. Graduates have landed positions at places such as Warner Bros. Games, Disney, Google, Apple, Electronic Arts (EA), DreamWorks, Zynga, Sony Interactive Entertainment, and Activision Blizzard.
6. Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) provides the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience through MAGIC Spell Studios—the school’s 52,000-square-foot production facility. RIT is also home to the School of Film and Animation. A designated Center of Excellence (COE) by Toon Boom Animation, the school houses BFA and MFA degrees in Film and Animation, and a STEM-designated Motion Picture Science BS. These multidisciplinary programs allow students to study VFX through specialized tracks and electives, and present final projects at film festivals and student showcases. RIT graduates are frequently hired at places such as DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Disney, Lockheed Martin, Lucasfilm, Pixar, Sony, Oracle, Microsoft, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Amazon, Electronic Arts (EA), Apple, and Hasbro.
7. Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode Island
The Film/Animation/Video (FAV) Department at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) houses an FAV BFA program with options in Animation, Live Action, and Open Media. In addition to professional state-of the-art studios, students have access to courses such as Digital Effects and Compositing for the Screen; Experimental Film Techniques; Editing; and Advanced Computer Generated Imagery (3D). Students can focus on visual effects for the culminating experience. Final works are presented at the Annual RISD FAV Senior Show. Graduates have launched their own production studios or landed positions at places such Pixar, DreamWorks, Cartoon Network, Disney, HBO, Netflix, and 20th Century Studios.
8. ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, California
ArtCenter College of Design (ArtCenter) houses an Entertainment Design BS that prepares students for careers in visual effects, games, and animation. Coursework can be customized to fit individual goals or students may select a formal track in Game Design, Animation, or Concept Design. Course examples include CG 1-5; Visual Structure; Worldbuilding; Production Design; and Level Design 1-2. Other program highlights include access to state-of-the-art production facilities; collaborative projects; and professional internships. Graduates have been hired at places such as Blizzard Entertainment, Marvel, Riot Games, DreamWorks, Apple, Warner Bros., Sony, Microsoft, Walt Disney Imagineering, Netflix, and Paramount.
9. Academy of Art University, San Francisco, California
The School of Animation and Effects at Academy of Art University provides AA, BFA, MA, and MFA degrees in VFX. All programs are STEM-designated and Houdini Certified, with opportunities to work on real films through StudioX—the school’s own in-house production studio. Led by working professionals, all programs feature specializations such as CG, Dynamics, or Stop-Motion Animation; internships and study abroad experiences; the option to create an IMDB listing; and the opportunity to include all productions on a final demo reel. Graduates can be found at places such as Marvel, Disney, Google, Sony Pictures Animation, Riot Games, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), LAIKA, and Weta FX.
10. DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois
The School of Cinematic Arts at DePaul University (DePaul) houses a Visual Effects Animation concentration for students in programs such as the Film and Television BA, BFA, MS, and MFA; the Animation BA, BFA, MA, and MFA; the Game Design BS and MFA; and the Game Programming BS and MS. All students have access to DePaul Cinespace Studios—a 60,000-square-foot state-of-the-art production facility, and the immersive 10-week LA Quarter Program with internships at places such as Nickelodeon, Disney, HBO, and DreamWorks. Graduates have secured positions at places such as DreamWorks, Electronic Arts (EA), Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Disney, Blizzard Entertainment, Google, Warner Bros. Animation, Epic Games, LAIKA, BioWare, Zynga, and Iron Galaxy Studios.