| Ranking | School | State | Ranking by State | National Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | School of Visual Arts | New York | #1 in New York | #5 |
| #2 | Rhode Island School of Design | Rhode Island | #1 in Rhode Island | #6 |
| #3 | Pratt Institute | New York | #2 in New York | #8 |
| #4 | New York University | New York | #3 in New York | #10 |
| #5 | Rochester Institute of Technology | New York | #4 in New York | #14 |
| #6 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pennsylvania | #1 in Pennsylvania | #22 |
| #7 | Massachusetts College of Art and Design | Massachusetts | #1 in Massachusetts | #28 |
| #8 | The New School | New York | #5 in New York | #29 |
| #9 | Maryland Institute College of Art | Maryland | #1 in Maryland | #37 |
| #10 | Drexel University | Pennsylvania | #2 in Pennsylvania | #49 |
| #11 | University of Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | #3 in Pennsylvania | #50 |
| #12 | Northeastern University | Massachusetts | #2 in Massachusetts | Unranked |
| #13 | Fashion Institute of Technology | New York | #6 in New York | Unranked |
| #14 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | New York | #7 in New York | Unranked |
| #15 | University of Connecticut | Connecticut | #1 in Connecticut | Unranked |
| #16 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Virginia | # 1 in Virginia | Unranked |
| #17 | Dartmouth College | New Hampshire | #1 in New Hampshire | Unranked |
| #18 | Virginia Commonwealth University | Virginia | #2 in Virginia | Unranked |
| #19 | New York Institute of Technology | New York | #8 in New York | Unranked |
| #20 | Tufts University | Massachusetts | #3 in Massachusetts | Unranked |
| #21 | University of Maryland, Baltimore County | Maryland | #2 in Maryland | Unranked |
| #22 | Harvard University | Massachusetts | #4 in Massachusetts | Unranked |
| #23 | Maine College of Art and Design | Maine | #1 in Maine | Unranked |
| #24 | Alfred State College | New York | #9 in New York | Unranked |
| #25 | Syracuse University | New York | #10 in New York | Unranked |
| #26 | Emerson College | Massachusetts | #5 in Massachusetts | Unranked |
Our 2025 list -our fifteenth annual- of the Top 25 Animation School Programs on the East Coast. For reference, we define the East Coast as New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Rhode Island, Delaware, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine.
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.
Serving nearly 800 students, the Animation Department at School of Visual Arts (SVA) is one of the nation’s largest. Program options include the Animation BFA; a 3D Animation and Visual Effects BFA; and the Computer Arts MFA with a focus in Animation, Motion Design, or Experimental Art. BFA graduates can be found at places such as Cartoon Network, DreamWorks, Lucasfilm Animation, Warner Bros. Animation, Nickelodeon, Walt Disney Animation Studios. Computer Art MFA students have been nominated for 13 Student Academy Awards and won nine. Graduates of this program are routinely hired at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Sony Pictures Imageworks, Pixar, DreamWorks, MTV, Electronic Arts (EA), Adobe, and Google.
The following factors contribute to School of Visual Arts' position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Elite Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 1)
Faculty Size: Expansive Faculty (Tier 1)
Graduate Employment: Exceptional Employment Outcomes (Tier 1)
Admissions Selectivity: Highly Accessible (Tier 5)
Average Net Cost: Substantial Average Net Cost (Tier 5)
Student Indebtedness: Substantial Student Debt (Tier 5)
Graduation Rate: Moderate Graduation Rate (Tier 3)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong First-Year Student Retention (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is one of the nation’s oldest independent art and design colleges. Students in all programs benefit from hands-on learning with access to state-of-the-art production studios; collaborative study; experimental projects; workshops; the First Year in Florence program; and internship opportunities with both local and national studios. The RISD Film/Animation/Video (FAV) Department houses the FAV BFA program that allows students to focus in Animation, Live Action, or Open Media. The program culminates with a professional reel and portfolio to be presented at the RISD Senior Festival. Graduates are routinely hired at places such as Pixar, DreamWorks, HBO, and PBS.
The following factors contribute to Rhode Island School of Design's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Elite Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 1)
Faculty Size: Large Faculty (Tier 2)
Graduate Employment: Exceptional Employment Outcomes (Tier 1)
Admissions Selectivity: Highly Selective (Tier 1)
Average Net Cost: Substantial Average Net Cost (Tier 5)
Student Indebtedness: Substantial Student Debt (Tier 5)
Graduation Rate: Exceptional Graduation Rate (Tier 1)
First-Year Retention Rate: Exceptional First-Year Student Retention (Tier 1)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
The School of Art (SoArt) at Pratt Institute (Pratt) houses the Digital Arts and Animation Department. Within the department are several paths to study animation. Options include the Digital Arts BFA (2D Animation); the Digital Arts BFA (3D Animation); and the Digital Arts MFA (3D Animation and Motion Arts). Across programs, students benefit from frequent trips to festivals, exhibitions, shows, and screenings in New York City; collaborative projects; and Studio Crit, which hosts regular critique sessions for student films. Graduates can be found at places such as Nickelodeon, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DreamWorks, Cartoon Network, and Disney Animation Studios.
The following factors contribute to Pratt Institute's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Elite Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 1)
Faculty Size: Expansive Faculty (Tier 1)
Graduate Employment: Exceptional Employment Outcomes (Tier 1)
Admissions Selectivity: Moderately Selective (Tier 3)
Average Net Cost: Substantial Average Net Cost (Tier 5)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Moderate Graduation Rate (Tier 3)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong First-Year Student Retention (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
New York University’s (NYU) Tisch School of the Arts (Tisch) is home to the Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film and Television. Producing more than 5,000 films annually, the institute houses a Film and Television BFA program with an Animation Area. Students will work with traditional, 2D, 3D, and experimental animation, as well as visual effects and writing for animation. The program culminates with a final animated project. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles at major studios or launch their own studios. Program alumni can be found at places such as Pixar, DreamWorks, and Walt Disney Animation.
The following factors contribute to NYU's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Elite Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 1)
Faculty Size: Large Faculty (Tier 2)
Graduate Employment: Exceptional Employment Outcomes (Tier 1)
Admissions Selectivity: Highly Selective (Tier 1)
Average Net Cost: Elevated Average Net Cost (Tier 4)
Student Indebtedness: Moderate Student Debt (Tier 3)
Graduation Rate: Strong Graduation Rate (Tier 2)
First-Year Retention Rate: Exceptional First-Year Student Retention (Tier 1)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is home to the School of Film and Animation (SFA). This designated Center of Excellence (COE) by Toon Boon houses MAGIC Spell Studios—a 52,000 square foot state-of-the-art production and screening space. SFA programs include the Film and Animation BFA with an Animation option + 2D, 3D, and Stop Motion Animation tracks; a Motion Picture BS that combines engineering with art, animation, and film; and a Film and Animation MFA with 2D, 3D, and Stop Motion Animation options. Programs culminate with an industry-ready film and public screening event. RIT graduates are routinely hired at places such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, Electronic Arts (EA), Pixar, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Lucasfilm, PlayStation, and Epic Games.
The following factors contribute to RIT's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Elite Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 1)
Faculty Size: Large Faculty (Tier 2)
Graduate Employment: Exceptional Employment Outcomes (Tier 1)
Admissions Selectivity: Accessible (Tier 4)
Average Net Cost: Moderate Average Net Cost (Tier 3)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Moderate Graduation Rate (Tier 3)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong First-Year Student Retention (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) houses the Robotics Institute and the Integrative Design, Arts and Technology (IDeATe) Network. Together, the institute and network provide an Animation and Special Effects minor for students in any CMU major. Courses for this 45-unit program are immersive and project-based, with titles such as Bipedal Rigging for Animation Production; Experimental Capture; and Storytelling Through Effects Animation. For animation students seeking a BFA, Carnegie Mellon also has an Electronic and Time-Based Media BFA (ETB BFA) program that explores areas such as animation, digital storytelling, and experimental game design. CMU ETB and Animation alumni are routinely hired at places such Walt Disney Animation Studios, Electronic Arts (EA), Sony, DreamWorks Animation, Blizzard Entertainment, MTV, Comedy Central, Take-Two Interactive, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Games.
The following factors contribute to Carnegie Mellon University's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Excellent Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 2)
Faculty Size: Mid-Sized Faculty (Tier 3)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Highly Selective (Tier 1)
Average Net Cost: Elevated Average Net Cost (Tier 4)
Student Indebtedness: Moderate Student Debt (Tier 3)
Graduation Rate: Exceptional Graduation Rate (Tier 1)
First-Year Retention Rate: Exceptional First-Year Student Retention (Tier 1)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
The Animation Department at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) has an Animation BFA program that allows students to present first-year projects at the college’s very own Brant Gallery. Other program highlights include dedicated state-of-the-art stop motion stations, classrooms, digital studios, and labs; courses taught by industry professionals; internships; collaborative projects; and campus events such as screenings and exhibitions. Students will graduate with a market-ready animated work and a professional portfolio. Graduates work at places such as Nickelodeon, Disney, Warner Bros. Animation, Netflix, Titmouse, Epic Games, LAIKA, FableVision Studios, Adventure Time, and Storm8.
The following factors contribute to MassArts' position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Excellent Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 2)
Faculty Size: Large Faculty (Tier 2)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Accessible (Tier 4)
Average Net Cost: Moderate Average Net Cost (Tier 3)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Moderate Graduation Rate (Tier 3)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong First-Year Student Retention (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
The New School is home to Parsons School of Design and the School of Continuing and Professional Education. Within Parsons is a STEM-designated Design and Technology program leading to a BFA or MFA. The school also has a Fine Art BFA program that allows students to study experimental animation and time-based media. An Art, Media, and Technology BFA program is available exclusively at Parsons Paris and Continuing Studies has a Motion Design and Animation certificate program. Across degree options, students benefit from professional internship opportunities, and participation in projects with artists from places such as Nickelodeon, Google, MTV, Apple, The New York Times, IBM, and Intel. Graduates have been hired at places such as DreamWorks, Rockstar Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Disney, Nickelodeon, Riot Games, Microsoft, IDEO, Google, Apple, Oracle, Pentagram, and Meta.
The following factors contribute to The New School's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Excellent Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 2)
Faculty Size: Mid-Sized Faculty (Tier 3)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Moderately Selective (Tier 3)
Average Net Cost: Substantial Average Net Cost (Tier 5)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Moderate Graduation Rate (Tier 3)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong First-Year Student Retention (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
The Animation Department at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) has two paths to study animation including the BFA in Studio and Humanistic Studies and the Animation minor. The BFA includes a 54 credit hour major in Animation, Game Design, Film and Video, Illustration, or Interactive Art, among others. The Animation major is immersive, which allows students to spend the majority of their time creating animated films or other works. The minor consists of 15 credit hours leading to a final project. The BFA program culminates with a year-long capstone/thesis consisting of a film, interactive media work, or installation. Final projects are presented at the MICA Grad Show. MICA graduates can be found at places such as DreamWorks, Disney, MTV, and LAIKA.
The following factors contribute to MICA's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Excellent Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 2)
Faculty Size: Mid-Sized Faculty (Tier 3)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Accessible (Tier 4)
Average Net Cost: Elevated Average Net Cost (Tier 4)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Moderate Graduation Rate (Tier 3)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong First-Year Student Retention (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design at Drexel University has several paths to study animation. Options include a BS in Animation and Visual Effects (VFX); Digital Media MS; Dual Animation and VFX BS/Digital Media MS; Digital Media and Virtual Production BS/Digital Media MS; Digital Media PhD; and a minor in Animation and VFX. The Digital Media programs are STEM Designated. Across all programs students have the opportunity to complete a paid or unpaid co-op at places such as Pixar or Cartoon Network. Students also enjoy small class sizes and access to state-of-the-art production facilities. Graduates have gone on to work on projects such as The Mandalorian and Avengers: Infinity War. Alumni have also been hired at places such as DreamWorks, Pixar, Microsoft, Disney, and NCSoft.
The following factors contribute to Drexel's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Strong Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 3)
Faculty Size: Large Faculty (Tier 2)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Accessible (Tier 4)
Average Net Cost: Elevated Average Net Cost (Tier 4)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Moderate Graduation Rate (Tier 3)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong First-Year Student Retention (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) provides several paths to study animation. Options include BA degrees in Fine Arts, and Fine Arts and Design; a Bachelor’s of Engineering and Science (BSE) in Digital Media Design (DMD); the DMD minor; and a Computer Graphics and Game Technology (CGGT) Engineering MS (MSE). Across programs, students have access to state-of-the-art production facilities such as the SIG Center for Computer Graphics and Penn Animation Research Lab. Across programs, graduates are routinely hired at place such as DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Microsoft, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation, Electronic Arts (EA), Google, Zynga, Activision Blizzard, and Sony.
The following factors contribute to UPenn's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Strong Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 3)
Faculty Size: Small Faculty (Tier 4)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Highly Selective (Tier 1)
Average Net Cost: Elevated Average Net Cost (Tier 4)
Student Indebtedness: Low Student Debt (Tier 2)
Graduation Rate: Exceptional Graduation Rate (Tier 1)
First-Year Retention Rate: Exceptional First-Year Student Retention (Tier 1)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
Northeastern University provides several paths to study animation. Options include the College of Arts, Media and Design’s (CAMD) Art + Design BFA with an Animation concentration, Game Art and Animation BFA, and Animation minor, along with the Khoury College of Computer Sciences’ Computer Science BS (CS BS) with a combined major in Media Arts. All students benefit from partnerships with co-op employers such as Disney, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and Lucasfilm; opportunities to explore other areas such as augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), extended reality (XR), and game design; and culminating experiences leading to an animated film or other work. Graduates are routinely hired by co-op employers. Additional examples include DreamWorks, Electronic Arts (EA), Pixar, and Universal.
The following factors contribute to Northeastern University's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Strong Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 3)
Faculty Size: Mid-Sized Faculty (Tier 3)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Highly Selective (Tier 1)
Average Net Cost: Elevated Average Net Cost (Tier 4)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Exceptional Graduation Rate (Tier 1)
First-Year Retention Rate: Exceptional First-Year Student Retention (Tier 1)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
The School of Art and Design at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) has an Animation, Interactive Media, and Game Design BFA program that focuses on 2D /3D animation; interactive storytelling; programming; AR/VR; and game engines. Program features include a collaborative environment designed to mirror professional production pipelines; courses taught by active industry professionals; the option to add a minor such as Creative Technology, Art History, or Color Studies; professional internships; and access to state-of-the-art studios and labs. The program culminates with a final project to be presented at the School of Art and Design’s Graduating Student Exhibition. Graduates have gone on to land positions at places such as Disney, Epic Games, Weta FX, Lucasfilm, Pixar, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Electronic Arts (EA), Marvel, Warner Bros., Blizzard Entertainment, and Activision Blizzard.
The following factors contribute to FIT's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Moderate Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 4)
Faculty Size: Mid-Sized Faculty (Tier 3)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Moderately Selective (Tier 3)
Average Net Cost: Moderate Average Net Cost (Tier 3)
Student Indebtedness: Minimal Student Debt (Tier 1)
Graduation Rate: Strong Graduation Rate (Tier 2)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong First-Year Student Retention (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
One of the nation’s oldest technical universities, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) provides programs that focus on experiential learning experiences through paid co-op experiences. This allows students to gain marketable, real-world experience before graduation. Programs for animators are part of the Houdini Certified School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) and the School of Science. Options include the Electronic Arts BS, PhD, and minor; Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences BS (GSAS BS) with a concentration in Electronic Arts; Communication, Media, and Design BS; and the Computer Science BS with a minor in Electronic Arts. Across programs, students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and centers such as the HASS Media Studio, the Emergent Reality Lab (ERL), and Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC). Programs culminate with a final project and presentation. Graduates go on to land positions at places such as DreamWorks, Hasbro, Blizzard Entertainment, Disney, Microsoft, Bethesda, NVIDIA, Apple, Boeing, Google, Amazon, and Dell.
The following factors contribute to RPIs position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Strong Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 3)
Faculty Size: Compact Faculty (Tier 5)
Graduate Employment: Moderate Employment Outcomes (Tier 3)
Admissions Selectivity: Moderately Selective (Tier 3)
Average Net Cost: Elevated Average Net Cost (Tier 4)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Strong Graduation Rate (Tier 2)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong First-Year Student Retention (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
The School of Fine Arts at University of Connecticut (UConn) provides several paths to study animation. Options include the Digital Media and Design BA (DMD BA) with a customized concentration in areas from Animation to Video Production; the 3D Animation BFA; a Motion Design and Animation BFA (MDA BFA); and Art BA and BFA degrees with an Illustration/Animation concentration. Programs are collaborative and project-based with access to state-of-the-art production facilities and internship opportunities. Programs culminate with a project and exhibition held in the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts. Graduates have landed positions at places such as Disney, Epic Games, Lego, HBO, Pixar, XVIVO Scientific Animation, NBCUniversal, Google, Viacom, Stoopid Buddy Studios, World Wide Wrestling Entertainment (WWE,) YouTube, Blur Studio, CBS, NBC, and Bit Fry Game Studios.
The following factors contribute to UConn's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Moderate Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 4)
Faculty Size: Mid-Sized Faculty (Tier 3)
Graduate Employment: Moderate Employment Outcomes (Tier 3)
Admissions Selectivity: Moderately Selective (Tier 3)
Average Net Cost: Moderate Average Net Cost (Tier 3)
Student Indebtedness: Moderate Student Debt (Tier 3)
Graduation Rate: Strong Graduation Rate (Tier 2)
First-Year Retention Rate: Exceptional First-Year Student Retention (Tier 1)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
The School of Visual Arts (SOVA) at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) has two paths to study animation including the Creative Technologies (CT) BFA and MFA. Both programs highlight hands-on learning through collaborative projects and participation in the Virginia Tech Internship Program. Through electives, all students have opportunities to focus in areas such as 2D and 3D digital animation; character design and worldbuilding; game design and development; virtual and augmented reality; and sound design. Other program highlights include seminars and exhibitions; visiting artists; the SOVA Study Abroad Program, featuring three weeks in Europe; dedicated studio space; and access to state-of-the-art production spaces, labs, and equipment. Virginia Tech alumni go on to land positions at places such as Disney, Epic Games, Google, Apple, Lockheed Martin, and Amazon.
The following factors contribute to Virginia Tech's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Strong Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 3)
Faculty Size: Small Faculty (Tier 4)
Graduate Employment: Moderate Employment Outcomes (Tier 3)
Admissions Selectivity: Moderately Selective (Tier 3)
Average Net Cost: Moderate Average Net Cost (Tier 3)
Student Indebtedness: Moderate Student Debt (Tier 3)
Graduation Rate: Strong Graduation Rate (Tier 2)
First-Year Retention Rate: Exceptional First-Year Student Retention (Tier 1)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
The Department of Film and Media Studies (F&MS) at Dartmouth College (Dartmouth) houses a F&MS minor and BA program that allows students to create their own emphasis area. Popular areas include Animation, Film History, and Screenwriting. The Computer Science Department at Dartmouth houses a Computer Science MS with a Digital Arts (CSDA) concentration. A DA minor is also available. Across programs, students have access to state-of-the-art production facilities, the Animation Studio, and the Digital Applied Learning and Innovation (DALI) Lab. Programs culminate with a final project and presentation. Graduates can be found at places such as Pixar, Electronic Arts (EA), HBO, Warner Bros., Microsoft, Amazon MGM Studios, Google, Apple, Searchlight Pictures, Netflix, and Lone Wolf Media.
The following factors contribute to Dartmouth's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Moderate Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 4)
Faculty Size: Small Faculty (Tier 4)
Graduate Employment: Fair Employment Outcomes (Tier 4)
Admissions Selectivity: Highly Selective (Tier 1)
Average Net Cost: Moderate Average Net Cost (Tier 3)
Student Indebtedness: Low Student Debt (Tier 2)
Graduation Rate: Exceptional Graduation Rate (Tier 1)
First-Year Retention Rate: Exceptional First-Year Student Retention (Tier 1)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is home to the School of the Arts (VCUarts). Within the school is the Department of Kinetic Imaging, which provides BFA and MFA degrees in Kinetic Imaging, and an 18 credit hour Animation minor. The degree programs explore video, animation, emerging media, and sound. Students can also add the Animation minor or customize a focus in animation through electives. The BFA culminates with a final project and presentation. The MFA culminates with an exhibition at VCU’s Anderson Gallery. Graduates have gone on to secure roles at places such as Disney, Electronic Arts (EA), DreamWorks, Marvel, Sony Pictures Imageworks, MTV, and DC Comics.
The following factors contribute to VCU's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Moderate Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 4)
Faculty Size: Mid-Sized Faculty (Tier 3)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Highly Accessible (Tier 5)
Average Net Cost: Low-mid Average Net Cost (Tier 2)
Student Indebtedness: Moderate Student Debt (Tier 3)
Graduation Rate: Moderate Graduation Rate (Tier 3)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong First-Year Student Retention (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
The School of Architecture and Design at New York Institute of Technology (NYIT or New York Tech) houses the Department of Digital Art and Design. Within the department a Digital Arts BFA, which focuses on animation, game design and motion graphics. Program highlights include internships at places such as NBCUniversal, HBO, Google, and MTV; access to state-of-the-art facilities and labs such as The HIVE (Home for Innovation, Visualization, and Exploration); opportunities to present work at the Annual NYIT Film and Animation Festival; and study abroad experiences in places such as Italy and the UK. Graduates have secured positions at places such as Disney, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Tesla.
The following factors contribute to NYIT's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Strong Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 3)
Faculty Size: Compact Faculty (Tier 5)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Accessible (Tier 4)
Average Net Cost: Moderate Average Net Cost (Tier 3)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Low Graduation Rate (Tier 5)
First-Year Retention Rate: Moderate First-Year Student Retention (Tier 3)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
The School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University (SMFA at Tufts) provides two paths to study animation. All options allow students to focus in areas such as Animation, Virtual Reality, Digital Media, Film and Video, or Graphic Arts. Degrees include the Studio Art BFA; Combined Studio Art BFA + BA/BS; and the Studio MFA. Across programs, students benefit from 24/7 access to the Animation Studios at SMFA, which houses a private animation suite; professional internships; seminars; visiting artists; and study abroad experiences. Programs culminate with a final project and exhibition. Graduates have been hired at places such as Blizzard Entertainment, NBCUniversal, Microsoft, Apple, Google, Meta, and NPR.
The following factors contribute to Tufts' position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Moderate Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 4)
Faculty Size: Small Faculty (Tier 4)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Highly Selective (Tier 1)
Average Net Cost: Elevated Average Net Cost (Tier 4)
Student Indebtedness: Low Student Debt (Tier 2)
Graduation Rate: Exceptional Graduation Rate (Tier 1)
First-Year Retention Rate: Exceptional First-Year Student Retention (Tier 1)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) at University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) is home to the Department of Visual Arts. Within the department are Visual Arts BA and BFA programs with the option to add the Animation concentration. Program highlights include hands-on projects; advanced level courses that explore 2D and 3D, hybrid processes, and emerging technologies; and the opportunity to gain work experience through Imaging Research Center Internship (IRC). The culminating experience for the programs is a final project to be presented at the Senior Exit Exhibition. Graduates have landed positions at places such as DreamWorks, Marvel, Disney, and DC Comics.
The following factors contribute to UMBC' s position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Moderate Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 4)
Faculty Size: Small Faculty (Tier 4)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Accessible (Tier 4)
Average Net Cost: Low-mid Average Net Cost (Tier 2)
Student Indebtedness: Low Student Debt (Tier 2)
Graduation Rate: Fair Graduation Rate (Tier 4)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong First-Year Student Retention (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
The Department of Art, Film, and Visual Studies (AFVS) at Harvard has an AFVS BA program that allows students to customize a study plan. Students seeking an Animation focus can select from available courses such as Fundamentals of Animation; Coding and Interactivity for Artists; Experimental Animation; Drawing as Visual Language; Intermediate Animation; Film Sound/Film Music; and AI and Art. Other program benefits include internships; opportunities to work with faculty in focused seminars and studios; and access to the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts, which houses state-of-the-art production studios, shops, and classrooms. The program culminates with a final project and presentation. Graduates have gone on to land positions at places such as DreamWorks, Disney, Google, NBCUniversal, MoMA, Warner Bros., Netflix, Apple, Meta, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and The Met.
The following factors contribute to Harvard's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Modest Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 4)
Faculty Size: Compact Faculty (Tier 5)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Highly Selective (Tier 1)
Average Net Cost: Low-mid Average Net Cost (Tier 2)
Student Indebtedness: Minimal Student Debt (Tier 1)
Graduation Rate: Exceptional Graduation Rate (Tier 1)
First-Year Retention Rate: Exceptional First-Year Student Retention (Tier 1)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
Maine College of Art and Design (MECA&D) houses an Animation and Game Art (AG) BFA program that that provides the opportunity to develop skills in other areas such as graphic design, illustration, and painting. Other program highlights include 24/7 access to state-of-the-art production facilities equipped with software and tools such as Toon Boom, Unreal Engine, Unity, and Dragonframe; individual private studios; opportunities to present productions at campus exhibitions throughout the program; and participation in the MECA&D Artists at Work Program. The MECA&D Animation and Game Art BFA program culminates with a final project to be presented at the BFA Thesis Show. Graduates can be found at places such a Walt Disney Animation Studios, Warner Bros., Adult Swim, and Hasbro.
The following factors contribute to Maine College of Art and Design's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Modest Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 4)
Faculty Size: Large Faculty (Tier 2)
Graduate Employment: Fair Employment Outcomes (Tier 4)
Admissions Selectivity: Accessible (Tier 4)
Average Net Cost: Elevated Average Net Cost (Tier 4)
Student Indebtedness: Substantial Student Debt (Tier 5)
Graduation Rate: Low Graduation Rate (Tier 5)
First-Year Retention Rate: Moderate First-Year Student Retention (Tier 3)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
The School of Architecture, Management and Engineering Technology at Alfred State College (Alfred State) houses the Department of Digital Media and Animation (DMA). Within the department are two paths to study animation including the DMA AAS and the DMA BS. Program highlights include 24-hour access to state-of-the-art production studios; internship opportunities; and a Living Learning Community (LLC) known as Creative House. Designed specifically for DMA and Graphic and Media Design students, Creative House features workshops, mentors, studio workspace, and a screening room. The culminating experience for the DMA AAS is the digital portfolio and presentation. DMA BS students will complete a senior project and final portfolio. Graduates are prepared to pursue positions at animation and game design studios, advertising agencies, post-production houses, and toy manufacturing companies.
The following factors contribute to Alfred State's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Modest Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 4)
Faculty Size: Mid-Sized Faculty (Tier 3)
Graduate Employment: Fair Employment Outcomes (Tier 4)
Admissions Selectivity: Accessible (Tier 4)
Average Net Cost: Minimal Average Net Cost (Tier 1)
Student Indebtedness: Minimal Student Debt (Tier 1)
Graduation Rate: Low Graduation Rate (Tier 5)
First-Year Retention Rate: Moderate First-Year Student Retention (Tier 3)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
The College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) at Syracuse University (SU) is the first degree-granting school of its kind in the U.S. Within the VPA is the Department of Film and Media Arts, which houses the Computer Art and Animation BFA, Computer Art MFA, and Animation and Visual Effects (VFX) minor programs. Across programs, students benefit from participation in the VPA LA Semester program; the visiting artist series, with past guests such as past president of Pixar Animation Studios Jim Morris and actor/director Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul); access to state-of-the-art production facilities; and study abroad experiences in Italy and Czechia. Programs culminate with a final project and presentation. Graduates can be found at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Pixar, Blizzard Entertainment, Cartoon Network, Sony Pictures Imageworks, MPC, Tippett Studio, and Filmworks/FX.
The following factors contribute to Syracuse's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Moderate Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 4)
Faculty Size: Small Faculty (Tier 4)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Selective (Tier 2)
Average Net Cost: Substantial Average Net Cost (Tier 5)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Strong Graduation Rate (Tier 2)
First-Year Retention Rate: Exceptional First-Year Student Retention (Tier 1)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
The School of Film, Television, and Media Arts at Emerson College (Emerson) Houses the Media Arts Production (MAP) BA/BFA program. Juniors in the MAP BA program have the option to complete the BA or apply for entry into the school's professional MAP BFA program. BFA seniors will complete a yearlong project, reel, or portfolio capstone project to graduate. The culminating experience for the MAP BA is a single capstone project. Across programs, students benefit from access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities such as the Emerson College Emerging Media Lab (EML); hands-on work experience through Emerson Productions or the Equipment Distribution Center (EDC); and participation in Emerson Los Angeles (ELA), with opportunities to work with Disney, Sony, and Lionsgate. Graduates have been hired at places such as MGM Studios, Searchlight Pictures, Bunim/Murray Productions, Digital Domain, and Worldwide Pants.
The following factors contribute to Emerson's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Moderate Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 4)
Faculty Size: Compact Faculty (Tier 5)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Selective (Tier 2)
Average Net Cost: Substantial Average Net Cost (Tier 5)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Strong Graduation Rate (Tier 2)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong First-Year Student Retention (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
August 19, 2026 - An error was identified in calculating the ranking for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University that resulted in it dropping out of the rankings for the Top 25 Animation Schools on the East Coast. By correcting the error Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is now ranked #16, moving each school from 16 to 25 one spot down. We regret and apologize for the error and any confusion it may have caused.
