| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis College of Art and Design | Minnesota |
| 2 | College for Creative Studies | Michigan |
| 3 | Washington University in St. Louis | Missouri |
| 4 | Columbus College of Art and Design | Ohio |
| 5 | Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design | Wisconsin |
| 6 | Kansas City Art Institute | Missouri |
| 7 | Cleveland Institute of Art | Ohio |
| 8 | Purdue University | Indiana |
| 9 | Columbia College Chicago | Illinois |
| 10 | Art Academy of Cincinnati | Ohio |
| 11 | University of Kansas | Kansas |
| 12 | Iowa State University | Iowa |
| 13 | University of Illinois at Chicago | Illinois |
| 14 | Ferris State University | Michigan |
| 15 | Boise State University | Idaho |
| 16 | Northern Illinois University | Illinois |
| 17 | Indiana University Indianapolis | Indiana |
| 18 | Missouri State University | Missouri |
| 19 | Buena Vista University | Iowa |
| 20 | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | Wisconsin |
Our 2026 rankings of the Top 20 illustration schools in the Midwest. We define the Midwest as Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, and North Dakota. The criteria we used for the animation rankings consists, in no particular order, of the following: Academic reputation, Employment data, Admission selectivity, Depth and breadth of the program, Value as it relates to tuition and indebtedness, Graduation rate, and Retention rate. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) houses a collaborative Illustration BFA program that allows students to specialize in areas such as children’s books; entertainment (animation and games); advertising; editorial; surface design; comic books; products and packaging; and courtroom illustration. Students can enhance the degree with a minor such as Graphic Design. Graduates have secured positions at places such as Amazon MGM Studios, Netflix, Scholastic, The Washington Post, Cartoon Network, Adidas, Starbucks Creative Studio, Nickelodeon, Target, Warner Bros., and The Atlantic.
Students in the Illustration BFA program at College for Creative Studies (CCS) have interned at places such as Mattel, Disney, Insomniac Games, and Cartoon Network. Through electives, BFA students also have the opportunity to focus in specific areas such editorial, children’s books, or advertising. An Illustration minor is available for students in other majors at CCS. Graduates can be found at places such as Leo Burnett Worldwide, The New York Times, Ogilvy, Nickelodeon, Lego, DreamWorks Animation, Mattel, American Greetings, Marvel Studios, Nike, Disney, New Balance, Blizzard Entertainment, ESPN, Cartoon Network, The Washington Post, Insomniac Games, Crispin, Ford, Converse, and Reader’s Digest.
The Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) houses a Design BA with a Communication concentration; a Communication Design BFA with an Illustration concentration; and an Illustration + Visual Culture MFA (MFA-IVC). Design BA students can focus in illustration through the required 66 open elective credits and 12 Sam Fox elective credits. Minors such as Illustrated Book Studio and Painting allow students to specialize in an additional area of interest. All students may complete a professional internship and public exhibition. Graduates can be found at IDEO, The New Yorker, Disney, HBO, DreamWorks, The Atlantic, Penguin Random House, Google, Pixar, The Guggenheim, Nickelodeon, Pentagram, Ogilvy, and Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, among others.
The Illustration BFA program at Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD) focuses experiential learning and work opportunities with professional artists and comic writers and artists on the student publication Spitball: A CCAD Comics Anthology. Students can also work with animators, storytellers, writers, and comic artists through the Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC) festival. The program culminates with an Illustration Capstone and presentation at the Chroma: Best of CCAD exhibition. Graduates have gone on to establish careers at places such as Boeing, Pixar, Old Navy, GM, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Hasbro, DC Comics, Ogilvy, Airstream, Marvel Comics, DreamWorks, Hallmark, The Wall Street Journal, Disney, Sony Pictures, American Greetings, P&G, Cartoon Network, ATARI, Nutella, and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD) houses an Illustration BFA program that allows students work on collaborative projects with real clients. Other program highlights include the option to specialize in a specific area by adding a minor such as Digital Media Production, Advertising or Book Arts; professional internships; and the culminating Illustration Thesis Project, Portfolio, and student-designed MIAD Exhibition. Students and graduates have created designs and illustrations for The New Yorker, Nike, Variety, HBO, Time, and Amazon Studios. MIAD illustration graduates are also routinely hired at places such as Hallmark, Disney, Google, Pokémon, Kohler, Dallas Morning News, Kohl’s, and Harley-Davidson. Other program alumni have launched studios such as THIEL Design and Studio 8 Design.
The Illustration major at Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) is the school’s most popular program. Housed in the Department of Illustration, this BFA program provides the opportunity to work at MICRO—KCAI’s very own design firm. Past clients have included the Kansas City Royals and Children’s Mercy Hospital. KCAI Illustration students will also complete a mandatory internship with Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, The Kansas City Star, The American Jazz Museum, and Boulevard Brewing Company. Graduates have been hired at places such as The New York Times, Nickelodeon, Wired, Tootsie Roll Industries, Nike, Hallmark, The New Yorker, MTV, American Greetings, Fox, The Kansas City Star, Discord, and Garmin.
Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) is home to the Illustration and Life Sciences Illustration BFA programs. All students have personal, dedicated studio spaces and access to state-of-the-art production facilities. Other program highlights include real world experiences through partnerships with clients such as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame; visiting artists and designers; field trips to ad agencies and professional studios; and small-group seminars. Graduates have launched their own studios, published children’s books, and established careers at places such as American Greetings, Hasbro, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Disney, Electronic Arts (EA), Bethesda, Chronicle Books, the Olympic Games, and Cleveland Clinic.
The Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance at Purdue University (Purdue) is home to the Integrated Studio Arts BFA with a minor in Drawing and Illustration. Students in the program have access to state-of-the-art production facilities as well as opportunities to travel to galleries, conferences, and design exhibitions. Other program highlights include internships; visiting artists and designers; and a co-op program. Graduates are routinely hired at places such as Cartoon Network, Disney, Sony, Penguin Random House, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DreamWorks, Scholastic, Hasbro, Gameloft, and Target.
The School of Visual Arts at Columbia College Chicago (Columbia) has an Illustration program with BA and specialized BFA pathways. Students in both programs will learn to create works using traditional and digital illustration techniques. To enhance the degree, BA students can add a minor or second major such as Computer Animation or Motion Graphics. Other BA/BFA program highlights include professional internships; access to state-of-the-art labs and studios; workshops; and career networking. Programs culminate with a professional portfolio and presentation. Graduates have landed roles at places such as NBC/SNL, The New Yorker, DDB, Nexstar Media Group, Disney, HBO, Art Institute of Chicago, Chronicle Books, Apple, VICE Media, American Express, and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago.
Art Academy of Cincinnati (AAC) houses a transdisciplinary Illustration BFA program that combines hands-on learning with training in children’s books, animation, editorial, publishing, motion graphics, concept art, and installation. Other program highlights include study abroad experiences in places such as China and the UK; summer internships in New York City; dedicated state-of-the-art facilities and labs; and intensive workshops. The program culminates with The Senior Year Experience (SYE). Graduates have established careers at places such as The Los Angeles Times, Netflix, Comedy Central, P&G, Macy’s, LPK Branding Agency, Cincinnati Art Museum, Kroger, Velocity Design, Manifest Gallery, and SOS Art.
The School of Architecture and Design at University of Kansas (KU) is home to the Design BFA program with a concentration in Illustration. In addition to dedicated labs and creative spaces, the program highlights hands-on projects and coursework that take place in a studio environment. Students also benefit from opportunities to collaborate with KU industry partners such as Pepsi and AT&T; semester-long internships; workshops led by industry insiders; and a variety of short- and long-term study abroad experiences. Graduates have been hired by major companies and studios such as Hallmark, Disney, Garmin, Pixar, New Balance, IBM, Adidas, Gensler, Timberland, Accenture, Otter Box, Vans, and HKS.
The College of Design at Iowa State University (Iowa State) houses the state’s only Illustration BFA program. The school also houses a Scientific Illustration and Visualization BA and minor; customizable Art BA and BFA programs; and a flexible Integrated Visual Arts MFA. As part of the College of Design, all students may participate in the Rome Program in Iowa State’s studio facilities at the historic Palazzo Cenci Bolognetti. During this study abroad experience, students have the opportunity to collaborate with local design professionals in a fully licensed facility. Graduates go on to establish careers with the Des Moines Art Center, IBM, 3M, Abbott Laboratories, Alpha Graphics, and The Albia Newspapers.
The College of Applied Sciences at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) has a Biomedical Visualization MS (BVIS MS) that’s suitable for students seeking advanced roles in traditional illustration, scientific and medical illustration, technical animation, and other related areas. Course examples include Illustration Techniques; Visual Storytelling in Biomedical Visualization; Animation I-IV; Surgical Illustration; Modeling I-III; and Advanced Illustration Techniques. Other program highlights include seminars and workshops; partnerships with animation studios and museums; professional internships; access to state-of-the art lab dans studios; and independent study. Graduates have been hired at places such as Nexstar Media Group, Accenture, Crain Communications, Eli Lilly and Company, Chicago Fire, Oracle, and NEWSWELL.
Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD) at Ferris State University (Ferris State) houses Illustration BFA and minor programs; a Life Sciences and Pre-Medical Illustration BFA option; and a Natural Science Illustration certificate. Across programs students will develop skills in traditional illustration techniques, digital painting, and publication design. Other highlights include access to state-of-the-art labs and studios; electives options such as Children’s Book Design and Graphic Design for Illustrators; the KCAD Illustration Society; faculty-led trips to Italy and Sweden; and internships. Graduates can be found at places such as Disney, Epic Games, BBDO, Hallmark, Microsoft, Amazon, Netflix, and Riot Games.
The Department of Art, Design and Visual Studies at Boise State University (BSU) houses an Illustration BFA program that begins with the basics of drawing, painting, graphic design, and printmaking. Students will begin upper-division courses during the second half of the program and complete an internship. The culminating experience for the program is the public BFA Exhibition held at The Blue Galleries in the BSU Center for the Visual Arts. Graduates can be found at places such as Micron Technology, Advanced Sign, Boise Boutique Hotels, Oak View Group, Eberlestock USA, Alo Yoga, and Instant Imprints.
The School of Art and Design at Northern Illinois University (NIU) houses an Art Studio and Design BFA program with 11 specializations. This includes Illustration with the option to explore areas such as 3D animation, digital 3D model making, and 3D printing. Other program highlights include courses and hands-on projects led by accomplished illustrators; access to state-of-the-art studios and production facilities; internships; and job networking opportunities. The program culminates with the Senior Project in Illustration and BFA Show. Graduates have been hired at places such as Ticketmaster, LNW Gaming, the Art Institute of Chicago, MedVisuals + High Impact, Lillstreet Art Center, and Norton Simon Museum.
Herron School of Art and Design (Herron) at Indiana University Indianapolis (IU Indianapolis) houses a Drawing and Illustration BFA program that provides access to more than 70 studio spaces. With the option to add career-enhancing minors such as Graphic Design or Book Arts, the program also highlights state-of-the-art labs, production, and fabrication facilities; critique spaces; internships and other experiential learning opportunities; and more than 10,000 square feet of exhibition space. The program culminates with the Thesis Exhibition event. Graduates can be found at places such as NBCUniversal, Harrison Center for the Arts, FME Studios, Live Nation, Grand Design RV, Indy Arts Council, and Lids.
Missouri State University (MSU) is home to the largest publicly funded Art and Design department in the state. Within the department is a Design BFA program with an Illustration track. Program features include professional internships and service-learning courses; field trips to conferences and other events; opportunities to volunteer at places such as Carolla Arts Exhibition Center and Brick City and Taylor Galleries; and participation in art and research exhibitions. The program culminates with a public exhibition. Graduates have established careers at places such as Boeing, The New Yorker, Disney, Amazon, Wired, The New York Times, Apple, Nike, Adidas, HLK Agency, and Bloomberg Businessweek.
Buena Vista University (BVU) houses an interdisciplinary Scientific Illustration BFA program that allows students to focus in areas such as design, printmaking, or drawing. Taught by professional artists, courses for the program are hands-on with titles such as Print Design; 3D Modeling and Animation; Motion Graphics; Life Drawing; and Scientific Illustration I-II. Students have access to state-of-the-art production facilities; gallery spaces with digital projection capabilities and customizable lighting; and internships at places such as the Iowa Arts Council and Des Moines Art Center. Many of these work experiences lead to permanent employment. Graduates have also secured roles at places such as Levi Strauss & Co., Lessing-Flynn (one of Iowa’s oldest ad agencies), and Wild Rose Casino and Resort.
The Department of Design at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UW-Eau Claire) houses an Integrative Visual Arts BFA program that allows students to focus their studios in illustration, painting, and drawing. Students will also select a theme of electives such as Sequential Expression (illustration narratives, visual communications) or Communication in Contemporary Culture (illustration, editorials, UX design). Other program highlights include field trips to Chicago and New York; workshops by visiting artists; community collaborations; apprenticeships; and the Italy Partnership (study abroad) with Istituto Lorenzo de' Medici (LdM) in Florence. Graduates have landed positions at place such as Marvel, Microsoft, Target, and IBM.
