Top 25 Animation Bachelor's of Science (BS) Degree Programs in the U.S. – 2023 College Rankings

ArtCenter College of Design (ArtCenter) houses an Entertainment Design Program with three tracks: Animation, Concept, and Game Design. Programs lead to a BS.

The Entertainment Design BS with an Animation Track explores lighting, character animation, modeling, storyboarding, and art direction. Course examples for the program include 2D Fundamentals, 2D Mechanics, Concept Art, Shorts, Design History of Comic Animation, CG Mechanics, Storyboard, Science & Technology, and Entertainment Design Industry.

BS students will complete one of three business courses (Business 101, Business, or Entrepreneurship), or Professional Practices as well as three Capstone Production courses and a 5th Term Portfolio Review. The Entertainment Design BS with an Animation Track requires 132 units to graduate.

ArtCenter College of Design graduates are prepared for positions within the entertainment industry such as Animator, Modeler, Digital Artist, Production Designer, and Storyboard Artist. ArtCenter graduates have been hired at Amazon, DreamWorks Animation, Cartoon Network, Google, Netflix, Paramount, Marvel, Rockstar Games, Ogilvy, Sony Pictures Animation, and Universal Creative, among others.

The School of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts at Texas A&M University (TAMU) houses the Visualization Program, which has a BS in Visualization Program.

Established in 1989 the TAMU Visualization Program is cross-disciplinary, allowing students to explore interaction, art, design, visualization, and computer graphics. Students at all levels may focus in an area of emphasis. Options for BS students include Animation and Virtual Production, Media Art, Interactive Design, Game Creation, and Visual Computing.

Students in all TAMU Visualization programs have the opportunity to participate in the Annual Career Fair, the Semester Away Program in Italy, Germany, and other countries, and the TAMU Internship Program. The supervised undergraduate internship spans 15 weeks and 600 hours, and students earn six credit hours. Graduate internships are worth eight credits. TAMU Visualization students have completed internships at animation, game, and graphic design companies. 

Texas A&M University Visualization graduates will leave the program with a polished portfolio of their best work. Program alumni are routinely hired for positions at major studios. Examples include DreamWorks Animation, Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Reel FX Animation Studios.

Drexel University houses the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, home to the Animation and Visual Effects BS Program and the Dual Animation and Visual Effects BS/Digital Media MS. The Dual BS/MS consists of coursework and projects in animation, 3-D modeling, interactivity, gaming, advanced digital design, and digital media history, theory, and methods. This program requires a minimum of 232 credit hours to graduate.

Drexel University has one of the nation’s top cooperative (co-op) education programs, so students in all degree programs have the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience prior to graduation. During the junior year of undergraduate programs, students will spend six months working full-time in the industry. Positions may be paid or unpaid. Dual BS/MS students will participate in three co-op experiences in the second, third, and fourth years of study.

The Animation & Visual Effects (VFX) Program provides instruction and hands-on training in 3D modeling, character design, scripting and storytelling, motion capture, compositing, storyboarding, and rigging. Students apply the skills they have learned to co-op positions in animation, visual effects, technical direction, and 3D at Cartoon Network, Pixar, Sony Studios, FuseFX, and MediaKraft TV, among others.

Graduates of the Animation/VFX and Digital Media Programs at Drexel University work in a variety of positions at major companies and studios such as Disney, Microsoft, XBOX, DreamWorks, NCSoft Corp., and Pixar.

The Animation Program at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Housed in the College of Media and Entertainment’s Department of Media Arts, the program is designed for artists seeking a career in character animation, visual effects, motion graphics, virtual production, video games, or visualization. Students may enroll in the Animation BS Program or the 18 credit hour Animation Minor.

Consisting of 120 credit hours, the Animation BS includes courses such as 2D Animation, History of Animation, Visual Effects, Texturing, Lighting, and Rendering, Motion Graphics, Animation Mechanics, Character Modeling and Rigging, Bodies in Motion, and Animation Preproduction. Professional Practices in Animation and Animation Capstone I &II are also part of the program curriculum. The Capstone consists of an original animated short film that will be submitted to film and animation festivals locally, nationally, and around the world.

The E.W. Scripps College of Communications at Ohio University (OU) houses the School of Media Arts & Studies, which has an Animation BSC. This program takes the place of the Games and Animation Emphasis Area, and it provides access to the new Advanced Animation Lab.

The new curriculum includes digital techniques for 2D and 3D animation; animation for film/TV, video games, and VR/AR; hybrid animation techniques; narrative storytelling in animation; motion graphics for video; preproduction and postproduction for animation; animation for visual effects; and sound design for animation. Coursework for the program is complemented by capstone projects, study abroad opportunities, industry internships and other experiences, and participation in student organizations.

Examples of industry experiences include OHIO-in-LA, where students will live and work in Hollywood; attendance at South by Southwest; Storytelling in Theme Parks, which includes all access tickets, workshops, speakers, and behind-the-scene tours at Walt Disney World; Animation and Culture in Tokyo, where students will explore Tokyo’s animation scene and culture; and the 48-Hour Shoot-Out where students have just two days to write, direct, and shoot polished 5-minute film.

Graduates of Ohio University’s School of Media Arts & Studies are Animators, Motion Graphics Designers, 3D Artists, Visual Effects (VFX) Artists, Animation Production Assistants, Cinematic Artists, Video Editors, Multimedia Artists, Technical Artists, Art Directors, and Environmental Artists, among others.

Computer Animation and Game Development (CAGD) is one of the top 10 largest majors at California State University, Chico. Established in 1999 as the Applied Computer Graphics Program. The CAGD Program is housed in the College of Engineering, Computer Science & Construction Management. Highlights for this 120-unit program include the opportunity to complete an internship, access to labs, workshops, and studios, and study abroad experiences in Germany and other destinations. The CAGD Program leads to a BS in CAGD.

CAGD BS students must choose an Animation Production or Game Development Option, and five courses from an Interdisciplinary Program Area. Options include Media Arts, Design, and Technology, Art Studio, and Computer Science. The Animation Production Option combines coursework in Art Studio or Communication Design, with Graphics and Animation. Both options explore game scripting, media arts design and technology, and computer science. Course topics may include 3D Animation and Character Animation, 3D Modeling, Motion Capture, Video Character Modeling, and Team Production Development.

Students in all CAGD Programs have access to the in-house motion capture studio, and they may participate in the student-run Computer Graphics Club (CGC). Chico State alumni work in game development, animation, CGI/VFX, or other areas at major studios such as Blizzard, Pixar, Epic Games, Zynga, Disney, Sony Imageworks, Ubisoft, Electronic Arts (EA), and WetaFX, among others.

Luddy School of Informatics, Computing & Engineering at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) has a Media Arts & Science Program with two undergraduate pathways to study animation: the Media Arts & Science BS with a 3D Graphics and Animation Specialization, and the 3D Graphics and Animation Minor.

The IUPUI Luddy School Media Arts & Science BS requires 120 credit hours of study. The Minor requires 15 credit hours. Examples of courses across programs include Advanced 3D Character Animation, 3D Compositing and Visual Effects, Stop-Motion Animation, Storyboarding for Multimedia, 2D Animation, Character Design and Animation, Digital Storytelling, Creature and Character Design for Videogames, Comics, Film, and Animation, Digital Effects, Design Issues in Digital Media, 3D Prototyping for Application in Medicine, Motion Graphics, Visualizing Information, and Stereoscopic Production and Display.

Students in the Luddy School IUPUI BS Program will complete the Career Planning, Portfolio Development, and Multimedia Project Development courses. While the Capstone Project Internship is strongly recommended, 3D Graphics and Animation students may complete the Mentorship or Bridge to Industry courses instead. Should a student choose the Capstone Project Internship, they will have the opportunity to develop a work in a professional setting to be presented at an exhibition.

Graduates of the Media Arts & Science/Animation Programs at IUPUI are 2D and 3D Animators, Technical Animators, Medical Animators, Compositors, Game Production Artists, Creative Directors, Digital Designers, Film Production Artists, Architectural Visualization Artists, Motion Graphics Artists, Visual Effects Artists, and AR/VR Designers. Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) alumni have been hired at major studios such as Pixar Animation Studios, EA Sports, Digital Domain, Sony Pictures ImageWorks, and Rockstar Games.

Purdue School of Engineering & Technology at IUPUI houses the Department of Computer Information and Graphics Technology (CIGT), which has an additional program option for students who wish to pursue a career in animation. The Computer Graphics Technology (CGT) Program here features an Animation and Spatial Graphics plan of study consisting of 120 credit hours of study. This unique Track requires courses such as Computer Animation, Visual Effects in Film and Animation, Sketching for Visualization and Communication, Animation Preproduction, Production for Computer Animation, Motion for Computer Animation, Digital Lighting and Rendering for Computer Animation, Digital Post Production, and Raster Imaging for Computer Graphics.

CGT/Animation and Spatial Graphics students will have the opportunity to enhance the degree program through 25 required credit hours of selective and technical electives. A Career Enrichment Internship is part of the program as well as the Senior Design Project. Graduates of the CGT Program at IUPUI are prepared to pursue a variety of careers. Potential titles include 3D Animator, Motion Designer, Multimedia Designer, 3D Production Artist, Themed Attraction & Experience Designer, Graphic Designer, Web Designer, and Computer Graphics Trainer and Educator.

The Animation Game Design (AGD) BS at Kent State University (Kent State) is part of the College of Applied and Technical Studies. The program has two separate concentration options: Animation or Game Design. Both concentrations require a minimum of 18 focused credits. All students will learn to create digital media works such as cartoons, virtual reality environments, digital and non-digital games, simulations, motion graphics, and 3D walkthroughs using industry software and technologies for traditional animation, 3D models, digital sculpting, and 2D graphics.

Animation students will take courses such as Character Animation, Real-Time Rendering for Animation, Animation Production and Visual Effects, and Solid Modeling. Students will also take a variety of art, design, and film & video courses. An Animation Project worth three credits is also required. 

Graduates of the Kent State University AGD BS Program are prepared to seek positions in animation, 2D and 3D modeling, game design, technical illustration, production, and more. Program alumni have been hired at studios such as Epic Games, EA Games, and High Moon Studios.

Oklahoma Christian University (OC) has two BS degrees for students seeking a science and math-based degree in Animation. The first option, the Gaming & Animation BS, requires foundation, core, major, and elective coursework, including 54 hours in the major. G&A BS students must also complete a Minor in an area such as Art, Graphic Design, Interior Architecture, General Business, Music, or Marketing Management. Business, Programming, and Game Technology and Production are also major components of the program, and students may enhance the degree by selecting electives in an additional specialized area. Examples include Illustration, Audio for gaming, or Digital Painting.

To graduate, all Gaming & Animation BS students will complete the Gaming + Animation Capstone and one of two business courses: The Business of Branding Yourself or Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management.

The second option, the Computer Science BS with Gaming and Animation, consists of heavy coursework in programming (I, II and languages), software engineering (practices, tools, ethics, and projects), and game programming (Unity and Unreal). Math, business, and technical writing are also major components of the program. CS BS students will also complete 15 hours of gaming and animation coursework, Team Experience I-II, and electives such as Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cryptography, Computer Simulation, and Mobile Application Development.

All OC Animation Programs provide access to Cox Digital Art Lab, Kicker Audio Lab, Sparks Advanced Visualization Lab, and Baugh Motion Capture Lab. Courses for all programs are taught by experienced professionals in the animation, games, and technology industries.

Graduates of the Oklahoma Christian University BS Programs are prepared to pursue careers in gaming, animation, and computer science, as well as industries that use 3D animation such as architecture, healthcare, education, and life sciences.

The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest academic College at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) and home to the School of Art & Design. Five undergraduate majors, three minors, and three graduate programs are available. For animators, the School of Art & Design has a Simulation, Animation, and Gaming (SAG) BS Program.

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the multidisciplinary SAG BS serves 138 students. The program combines traditional art disciplines, writing, and story development with coursework in animation, illustration, rigging, lighting and camera techniques, graphics for simulation, and game development tools such as Unity.

Specific animation courses include Simulation and Animation Dynamics, Historical and Contemporary Approaches to Animation, Advanced Principles of Animation, Simulation, Animation and Gaming, 2D Animation, Vector Illustration for SAG, and SAG Movement. EMU SAG students will complete several studios and Senior Projects in SAG to graduate from the program.

Graduates of the Eastern Michigan University SAG BS Program are prepared to pursue positions in computer animation, special effects, storyboard art and design, games, concept art, character design and development, and graphic design, among others.

The Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts and Letters at Missouri State University (MSU) houses the Department of Art and Design. In partnership with the Department of Media, Journalism, and Film, the Department of Art and Design has an Electronic Arts BS Program with an optional Computer Animation Studies Track.

Students in this program will complete 69 credits in the major, including 18 in Computer Animation Studies. Course examples include Animation I-V, Professional Practices in Computer Animation, Principles of Cinematography, and Editing for Film and Television. Students also have the opportunity to complete 18-21 credit hours of additional supporting electives. An Art Internship, Public Affairs Capstone, and BFA Art Senior Exhibition are also part of the program. Junior Portfolio Review, the Public Affairs Capstone, and Senior Project in Electronic Arts are also part of the BS Program.

Graduates of the Electronic Arts and Computer Animation Programs at Missouri State University Animation Program are prepared for careers in Animation/Computer Animation, Visual Effects (VFX), Game Art, Design and Development, Television/Film, Advertising/Marketing, and Education, among others.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Embry-Riddle) offers a unique program that fuses animation, games, simulation, and  science. Housed in the College of Arts and Sciences’ (COAS) Department of Simulation Science, Games, and Animation (SSGA), the SSGA BS provides STEM- and project-based production courses that allow students to design animations, user experiences, virtual worlds, simulations, and more.

Course examples include Games Systems (Multiplayer, Mixed Reality), Digital Illustration, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), World Building I-IV (Modeling, Materials, Mechanics, Motion) Computer/Modeling Simulation, Artificial Intelligence, Interactive Media I-II, Game Design Workshop, and Graphics Processing. Students in this 125 credit hour program will also complete a final project across two Capstone courses during their senior year.

Graduates of the Embry-Riddle SSGA BS Program are prepared to pursue positions in gaming, animation, virtual training, software development, military and intelligence, education, healthcare, aviation, and high-tech manufacturing.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University alumni have been hired at Blizzard Entertainment, Boeing, Microsoft, Department of Defense Modeling and Simulation Office, ForgeFX Simulations, Mass Virtual, Win Reality Training Platform (baseball and softball), and Super League Gaming.