Top 40 Private Animation Schools and Colleges in the U.S. – 2023 College Rankings

The School of Animation and Motion at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) houses the world’s first specialized degree in Motin Media Design, three Animation degrees, and three Visual Effects (VFX) options for students seeking an undergraduate or advanced degree. Students in all School of Animation and Motion programs have access to more than 800 networked computers along with a 60,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art digital media center consisting of a green screen lab, in-house theater, and studio environment.

Students in all programs and at all degree levels receive instruction from celebrated professors who have worked at major studios and on award-winning productions such as Ice Age, Pocahontas, and The Lion King.

Programs for animators include the BFA, MA, and MFA in Animation. Available Minors include Animation, Animated Illustration and Publication Design, and Concept Design for Animation and Games. Examples of Minors that complement the Animation Programs include Visual Effects, Technical Direction, Storyboarding, Illustration for Entertainment, Interactive Design and Game Development, and Character Technical Direction.

Incoming BFA students may enroll in Gradpath@SCAD, which provides the opportunity to earn a BFA and MA or MFA at an accelerated pace. The BFA/MA could take less than four years to complete, and the BFA/MFA can be completed in five years or less.

The 180 credit hour BFA in Animation is available at SCAD’s Atlanta and Savannah campuses. The program includes 80 hours in the major, which consists of concentrations in 2D Animation, 3D Character Animation, Storytelling and Concept Development, or Technical Animation. Students may also choose 10 hours of free electives. Course examples for the program include Collaborative Experiences in Animation, 3D Character Animation: Creatures and Quadrupeds, and Story and Concept: Seeding the Narrative.

Each student in the SCAD Animation BFA Program will complete three Film Capstone courses including Preproduction, Production, and Postproduction. An optional internship is also part of the program.

Savannah College of Art and Design’s Animation MA and MFA Programs are 45 and 90 credit hours, respectively. The MA is available at the Savannah campus and through the schools online learning platform SCADnow. The MFA is available in Atlanta, Savannah, and via SCADnow. MA students will complete courses such as Animation Aesthetics and Practice, Environment Look Development, and Computer-Generated Modeling and Design. Students will also complete a collaborative project and a final project. The graduate internship is optional.

The SCAD Animation MFA requires a graduate internship and completion of three thesis courses. Students in the program can expect to take other courses such as Drawing in Motion, Media Theory and Application, and Storyboarding and Previsualization. Completion of at least seven 500- to 700-level electives are also part of the program.  

From Stop-Motion Animator to Creature Technical Director, SCAD Animation graduates have been recruited by major studios, gaming companies, and networks such as Pixar, 20th Century Fox, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Electronic Arts (EA), DreamWorks, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Disney, and Lucasfilm Animation.  

Founded in 1978, Savannah College of Art and Design opened in the renovated Savannah Volunteer Guards Armory in September 1979. The school began with just one classroom, an administration building, and 71 students. Today, SCAD serves more than 15,000 students across campuses in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia, and Lacoste, France. With more than 100 degree programs and over 75 minors and certificate programs, Savannah College of Art and Design has more degree programs and specializations than any other art and design college in the U.S.

Savannah College of Art and Design is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), and the National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB).

The Animation Department at School of Visual Arts (SVA) has three pathways for animators: Animation, Computer Art, and Computer Animation and Visual Effects. Leading to a BFA, all programs emphasize hands-on experience; mentors who are accomplished special effects artists, directors, and character designers; and working relationships with independent animators across New York, and alumni-owned Augenblick Studios, Plymptoons, and Titmouse. As interns and part-time employees, SVA Animation students have produced animations for non-profit organizations and public service organizations such as UNESCO, Ted-ED, and UNICEF.

Students in all BFA programs will train on the latest industry software including Maya, Adobe Animate, Storyboard Pro, After Effects, and Toon Boom Harmony. SVA Animation students will also participate in the School of Visual Arts Thesis Celebration, where their best work will be presented to industry professionals and other prominent figures in the world of art.

Graduates of the Animation, Computer Art, and Computer Animation and Visual Effects BFA programs at SVA have gone on to win awards presented by the Academy of Motion Pictures, The International Animation Festival, and the Association of International Film Animators (ASIFA). Graduates have also won awards for their short and feature films at numerous festivals around the world.

SVA Animation alumni can be found at independent animation studios worldwide and at major studios such as DreamWorks, Lucasfilm Animation, Warner Bros. Animation, Nickelodeon, Sony Pictures Animation, and Disney Animation Studios.

At the graduate level, the Computer Arts Department at School of Visual Arts has an MFA Program in Computer Arts. SVA is also known for its Continuing Education (CE) Animation courses, which are designed to help students improve their skills through hands-on exercises and workshops. CE Animation students have the opportunity to create their own shorts.

The SVA MFA Computer Arts Department was the first MFA Program in the U.S. to focus on computer art. Established in 1986, the program features workshops, guest lectures, visiting artists, and internship experiences. During the final year of the program, MFA students will complete academic research and a creative work accompanied by an artist’s statement.

Graduates of the SVA MFA in Computer Arts Program have been hired at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), MTV, Pixar, Google, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Electronic Arts (EA), and Disney, DreamWorks. Some alumni have gone on to open their own studios or win Academy, Emmy Award, and Grammy awards.

The School of Visual Arts (SVA) opened in 1947 as the Cartoonists and Illustrators school. Classes began with just three teachers and 35 students. Today, the School of Visual Arts serves more than 4,000 students enrolled in dozens of BFA, MA, MFA, and MPS programs. SVA is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), with individual program accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).

The Animation Program at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) combines three areas: Film, Animation, and Video (FAV). Leading to a BFA, the FAV Program provides the opportunity to focus in Animation, Live Action or a combination of the two. Students may produce experimental, narrative or documentary films, as well as productions for interactive media and installations. Student works may be viewed and analyzed through film festivals and visiting artists. 

Course examples for the RISD FAV BFA include Advanced Stop Motion, Animation Practices, Character Animation Workshop, Computer Animation: Integrated Techniques, Computer Generated Imagery 3-D, Digital Effects and Compositing for the Screen, Directing, Experiments in Stop Motion Animation, Intermediate Studio: Live Action or Animation, Spatial Dynamics, Stop-Motion Animation, Time, Light, and Sound, and Video Practices.

All RISD FAV students have access to animation and live action studios, studios for green screen and blackout shooting, and Apple workstations equipped with Avid, Final Cut, Pro Tools, Autodesk Maya, the Adobe Production Suite, and a variety of animation software. Collaborative study, workshops, and a professional internship are also part of the program.

During the senior year of the FAV BFA Program, students will develop, design, animate, direct, and produce an independent project. Throughout this final year, students will receive critiques and individual guidance weekly from established professionals in the world of animation. Class meetings are devoted to specialized technical workshops, film screenings, and group critique. The year culminates with the RISD Senior Festival, a public showcase. Graduates will leave the program with a professional reel and portfolio.

Graduates of the Rhode Island School of Design FAV BFA Program have gone on to create, direct and/or produce a number of animated films and series such as The Simpsons (Lance Wilder, Animator), Family Guy (Seth Macfarlane, Creator), and the Oscar-nominated animated short Feral (Daniel Sousa, Animator and Director). RISD graduates have also landed positions at DreamWorks, HBO, Pixar, Fox, and PBS or launched their own studios and production companies.

Founded in 1877, Rhode Island School of Design is one of the first art and design schools in the U.S. This private, nonprofit college serves around 2,600 students enrolled in dozens of majors and programs. RISD is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). The Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and MA in Teaching programs have special accreditation by the National Architecture Accrediting Board, Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board, and the RI Department of Education, respectively.

Gnomon School of Visual Effects has several programs designed to develop studio-ready professionals. Options include a BFA or Certificate in Digital Production. A preparatory program, Foundation in Art & Design, is also available. The certificate can be completed in two years and the BFA can be completed in as few as three years. The preparatory program requires a full year of continuous study, which includes four courses per quarter. The goal of the program is to help students enhance existing skills, pursue a degree in a related field, or polish their portfolios.

Gnomon BFA students will receive training in industry software such as After Effects, Nuke, V-Ray, Photoshop, ZBrush, and Maya. Students will graduate from the BFA program with a professional demo reel that showcases their best work.

The Certificate in Digital Production has five areas of emphasized study. Options include Visual Effects Animation, Character & Creature Animation, 3D Generalist, Games, and Modeling & Texturing. Students in the program may also focus on Film, Games, or Visual Effects Production.

With a near 100% employment rate, Gnomon School of Visual Effects has alumni working at studios and gaming companies such as DreamWorks, Electronic Arts (EA), Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Sony Pictures Imageworks, Marvel Entertainment, Nickelodeon Animation, Blizzard Entertainment, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Reel FX, and Digital Domain.

Located in Hollywood, California, Gnomon School of Visual Effects sits on a 35,000 square foot lot within the historic Television Center Studio lot. Established in 1997, Gnomon offers degree and vocational certificate programs, as well as over 100 individual 10-week courses. Gnomon School of Visual Effects is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

The BYU Center for Animation at Brigham Young University (BYU) was established in 2010. Managed by the Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology, the College of Fine Arts and Communications and the Physical and Mathematical Sciences, the Center accepts just 20-25 students each year. The program is open to artists from the BYU Animation BFA Program, housed in the College of Fine Arts and Communications’ Department of Design, and the Computer Science BS: Animation and Games, housed in the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences’ Department of Computer Science.

The Animation BFA is a 62.5-64.5 credit hour limited enrollment program (75 students) that explores animation, film production, storyboarding, special effects, video game production, illustration, screenwriting, and more. The Computer Science: Animation and Games BS is also a limited enrollment program that accepts just 42 students per enrollment period. Consisting of 77-80.5 credit hours, the program explores animation, computer graphics, video game production, programming, software engineering, visual effects, user interfaces, and more.

The BYU Center for Animation provides extensive hands-on training in animation, games, live-action, and special effects. All BFA, BS, and BYU Center for Animation students have opportunities to work on personal projects, group projects, and major films. Students will have the opportunity to  complete an internship, study abroad, and develop a portfolio of their best work.

BYU Animation and Animation and Games graduates go on to establish successful careers at studios such as Blizzard, DreamWorks, Disney, Sony, Digital Domain, Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Nickelodeon, Riot Games, and many others.

Brigham Young University was founded as Brigham Young Academy (BYA) in 1875 by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Brigham Young. With more than 35,000 students enrolled in nearly 400 degree programs and minors, BYU is the one of the largest private universities in the U.S. Brigham Young University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

The College of Art and Design at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) houses the School of Film and Animation, home to the Animation Program. Several degree options are available including BFA and MFA degrees in Film and Animation, BFA degrees in Film and Animation with either an Animation Option or a Production Option, and a BS in Motion Picture Science.

The MFA has four options: 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Production, and Screenwriting. The BS program requires coursework in film, television, and animation production. In the Film BFA Animation Option, the focus is 2D and 3D Animation, production, screenwriting, and stop-motion animation. Three tracks are available including 2D, 3D and Stop Motion Animation. Students learn to animate for AR/VR, digital and visual effects, games, and films. Course examples across all programs include After Effects for Animators, Programming for 3D Animators, Production Processes, Experimental Animation, Virtual Production, Digital Effects & Compositing, World Building Workshop, and Directing.

Production Option BFA students will learn to produce documentary, fiction, experimental, and live-action films. Students will gain hands-on experience working with cameras, and editing and sound equipment. All Production Option students will have the opportunity to participate in RIT’s Study Away: LA Program. Students that choose to participate in the program will spend a semester in Los Angeles where they can intern at top studios and entertainment companies, and take two courses to complement the study-away experience.

RIT also has one of the fourth-oldest and one of the largest cooperative (co-op) education programs in the world. As such, all RIT programs provide co-op education opportunities as well as internships and other experiential learning opportunities. RIT animation students also have access to 52,000 square foot MAGIC Spell Studios, and labs and classrooms outfitted with industry standard technology and software.

At all levels, animation students will participate in the RIT’s Creative Industry Day, where they will have the opportunity to mingle with representatives of studios, design firms, and other creative companies.

Graduates of Rochester Institute of Technology can work in a wide variety of positions at Lucasfilm, Electronic Arts (EA), Dolby, Nickelodeon, Sony, DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney Animation Studios, and many others.

Rochester Institute of Technology is a top research university that dates back to 1829. With global campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo, the school serves more than 19,000 students, making it one of the largest private universities in the U.S. RIT offers more than 200 academic programs across 11 colleges and institutes. Rochester Institute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

The School of Animation & Visual Effects (VFX) at Academy of Art University (Academy of Art) has an Animation Program with five pathways for artists seeking a career in animation. Options include a certificate and AA, BFA, MA, and MFA degrees in Animation & Visual Effects.

The certificate is a top choice for students who would like to dive into animation coursework from day one. In addition to skipping liberal arts coursework, this 120-unit program allows students to complete an internship, a study abroad experience, and a senior portfolio in Animation and VFX.

Consisting of 66 units of study, the Animation & VFX AA explores 3D animation, 3D modeling, 2D animation and stop motion, storyboarding, and VFX through required coursework and electives. Students in the 132-unit Animation & VFX BFA have the opportunity to focus in one primary area of emphasis. Options include VFX, 2D animation and stop motion, 3D modeling, 3D animation, and storyboarding.

The Animation & VFX MA focuses on storytelling and technical skills. Students in this 36-unit graduate program will work in work in 2D Animation & Stop Motion, 3D Animation, 3D Modeling, or VFX. Consisting of 63 units of study, the Animation & VFX MFA Program explores all areas of animation and visual effects from concept to post-production. Students in this program will also develop communication and management skills. A thesis is required to graduate.

All Academy of Art Animation programs take place in a studio production environment known as StudioX. The School of Animation & VFX is the only school of its kind to teach in this type of environment. Because StudioX mirrors most real-world studios, students gain hands-on experience with industry standard equipment, collaborating with other artists and on teams, and managing a production from start to finish.

In addition to several collaborative projects, all degree-seeking students will complete an internship and create a professional portfolio of their best work. Academy of Art Animation alumni go on to establish careers at major studios and companies such as Google, LAIKA Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Marvel, Sony Pictures Animation, CASA VFX, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Riot Games, Weta Digital, and Industrial Light & Magic (ILM).  

Academy of Art University is a family-owned private university located in San Francisco—one of the world’s top cities for animation careers. Established in 1929 and serving more than 7,000 students, Academy of Art is of the nation’s largest private art and design schools. Divided into 22 schools, Academy of Art University offers more than 129 degree programs in 40+ areas of study. Programs lead to the AA, BA, BFA, BS, B. Arch, MAT, MA, MFA and M. Arch degrees.

The Academy is accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

The Film, Video, New Media, and Animation Department (FVNMA) at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has a Studio Program that offers a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate and BFA and MFA degrees in Studio. The BFA has Liberal Arts or Visual Critical Studies Thesis Options and all programs offer extensive coursework in animation. Course examples across pathways include Puppet Animation, 3D Character Animation, Sonic and Optics, Type and Image in Motion, Advanced Experimental 3D, Advanced Drawing for Animation, Motion Graphics and Visual Effects, Advanced Screenwriting, Writing and Art Direction for Animation, Visualization and Storyboarding,

Other FVNMA Department highlights include interaction with visiting artists; access to state-of-the-art film, editing, and production equipment, the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, and on-campus galleries; and graduate seminars, screenings, and performances. In addition, FVNMA MFA students have the opportunity to participate in Critique Week. This week-long event takes place each semester. The entire faculty, along with invited visiting artists and designers, form panels designed to critique students work. All classes are suspended during this time.

Graduates of SAIC’s FVNMA Department are prepared to seek careers in animation, film, games, digital media, and more.

Founded in 1866 by a group of 35 artists, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the nation’s oldest accredited independent schools of art and design. Serving more than 3,500 students, SAIC offers over 50 areas of study in 24 academic departments. The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Since 1948, the school has been accredited as a charter member by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

The Animation BFA at California College of the Arts (CCA) is the school’s largest major. Housed in the Animation Department, the program provides hands-on learning in state-of-the art studios and labs such as the Foley Room, Hybrid Lab, Sound Studio, and Founder 309. In the classroom and labs, Animation BFA students will learn to create 2D and 3D animation, sound effects, animation for games, stop-motion animation, and more.

Courses for the BFA program are taught by instructors who are working in the industry with studios such as Pixar, DreamWorks, and Tippett Studio. Course examples include 3D Computer Animation, Drawing for Animation, Animation 1 and 2, Workshop: Experimental Animation, Visual Storytelling, Sound for Animation, Acting for Animation, and Writing 1 and 2. During the third year of study, CCA animation students will complete Junior Project 1 and 2. In the final year of the program, students will complete Senior Project 1: Pre-production and Senior Project 2: Production.

Upon completion of the Animation BFA Program, graduates will have a portfolio of their best work. CCA Animation alumni have gone on to establish successful freelance careers or launch their own studios. CCA graduates have also been hired at studios and gaming companies such as Sony Pictures Animation, Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Electronic Arts (EA), Walt Disney Feature Animation, Pixar, Cartoon Network, DreamWorks Animation, Phosphor Games, Bento Box Entertainment, and many others.

California College of the Arts began in 1907 as the School of the California Guild of Arts and Crafts. When it opened, the school had just three teachers and 43 students. Today, 420 faculty members serve more than 1,600 students enrolled in over 40 undergraduate, graduate, minor, and dual degree programs. California College of the Arts is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), and the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

The School of Media Arts at Columbia College Chicago (Columbia) houses the Interactive Arts and Media Department (IAM), home to the Animation Program. Students in the program have access to state-of-the-art animation production spaces including Cintiq, stop-motion, and traditional animation labs, as well as the Equipment Cave, Game Lab, Sound Studio, and Open Lab. IAM program options include a BA in Animation, and BFA degrees in Computer Animation or Traditional Animation.

An Animation Minor that explores object, stop-motion, and hand-drawn animation is also available. Students in this program will use industry-standard editing and storyboarding software to create a story reel for a final project. All IAM Animation Programs provide the opportunity to begin animating in the very first year.

Course examples across programs include Alternative Strategies in Animation, Computer Animation: Keyframing, Environmental Design & Modeling, Animation for Comics, Stop-Motion Animation, Animation Maquettes, Character Design and Modeling, CVFX: Compositing, Advanced 3D Digital Sculpting, Character Design and Modeling, Cartooning, Acting for Animators, and Screenwriting: Writing the Short Film.  

Select BFA students will have the opportunity to participate in the Animation Studios in LA Program. This one credit course provides allows students to explore career opportunities at major Hollywood animation studios. Events include tours, portfolio reviews, and employment screenings. Participating studios have included DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Disney, Cartoon Network, and Warner Bros.

As a senior, BFA students will produce an animated film as a solo project, serving as producer, editor, and director. Films will be presented at Manifest—Columbia Colleges annual art festival showcasing graduating students work.

Animation BA students will have the option to work with a team or individually to create a film during the final year of the program. BA students will also spend the final year fine tuning their demo reels.

Graduates of the Animation Programs at Columbia College Chicago have launched their own studios, they have gone on to win Oscars and Emmy Awards, and some alumni have worked on films and series such as The Lion King, Robot Chicken, Brave, Frozen, Pocahontas, UP, The Lego Batman Movie, Coco, and Finding Dory. Columbia College graduates have been hired at networks and studios such as Disney, Warner Bros. Animation, Nickelodeon, Pixar, DreamWorks Studios, Cartoon Network, and Weta Digital.

Columbia College Chicago was established in 1890 as the Columbia School of Oratory. The school serves nearly 6,700 students enrolled in more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. In addition to programs in creative areas such as communication and writing, media and digital, and music and sound, Columbia offers business management programs. Columbia College Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

DigiPen Institute of Technology (DigiPen) students have earned more than 300 awards and festival selections and more than 230 awards for game projects and academic papers since the school’s inception in 1988. The school provides programs for talented professionals seeking a degree in art, design, technology or engineering.

For animators, DigiPen has two options: a Digital Art and Animation BFA and a Digital Arts MFA. The BFA program is designed for professional artists looking to enhance their skills. Competitive and challenging, the program covers traditional media, 2D and 3D digital art, animation production, pipelines, and more. Students will work solo and in teams to create animated projects, games, and/or films.

Coursework for the BFA ranges from foundation courses such as Animation Basics and The Language of Drawing to advanced courses such as Conceptual Illustration and Visual Development, Cinematic Production, and Scripting and Programming. BFA students will complete a career preparation course and several projects.

The Digital Art and Animation BFA is available at the main DigiPen campus in Redmond and at the school’s international branch campuses DigiPen Europe-Bilbao, Spain and DigiPen Singapore.

The Digital Arts MFA at DigiPen Institute of Technology provides advanced training in animation, 3D modeling, drawing, and digital painting, among other areas. Free electives and independent study provide opportunities for students to customize their pathway. Course examples include Organic and Hard Surface Modeling, Art Research Methodology, Art Production Process, Character Design, Digital Arts Survey and Analysis, and 3D Concepts and Production.

Digital Arts MFA students will complete an MFA Thesis, which begins with a Thesis Pre-Production course, which lasts a semester. For the final two semesters of the program, students will work with a faculty advisor to complete the Thesis project. Throughout the program, students will also work in teams to create several games, films, and other productions.

Graduates of the Digital Art Programs at DigiPen Institute of Technology are prepared for positions such as Animator, Character Artist, Simulation and Effects Animator, Art Director, 3D Modeler, Concept Artist, Producer, Environmental/Asset Artist, and UI Designer, among others. To date, more than 600 companies worldwide have hired DigiPen graduates. Examples include Apple, Amazon Games, Walt Disney Imagineering, Google, Blizzard Entertainment, Warner Bros. Games, Zynga, Meta, DreamWorks Interactive, Sony, Riot Games, ArenaNet, Electronic Arts (EA), Microsoft, Nintendo, and many others.

DigiPen Institute of Technology was established in 1988 as a Vancouver, British Columbia-based computer simulation and animation company. The school serves around 1,200 students enrolled in 10 degree programs in Computer Science, Digital Art and Animation, Engineering, Game Design and Development, and Music and Audio.

DigiPen has international campuses in Singapore and Spain, and educational partnerships with Princess Nourah bint Abdul Rahman University in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Keimyung University in South Korea, The One Academy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Thammasat University in Thailand. 

DigiPen Institute of Technology is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) has several pathways to study animation. At the undergraduate level, MCAD has a collaborative Animation BFA Program and a 15 credit-hour Animation Minor. At the graduate level, MCAD has interdisciplinary and experimental Visual Studies MFA Program that allows students to focus in one or more areas of interest. Examples include animation, experimental film and video, comic arts, illustration, drawing and painting, and web and multimedia.

Students in the MCAD MFA Program also benefit from access to some 50 private studios, smart classrooms, state-of-the-art production facilities, and a large gallery space. MCAD MFA students may also participate in the Master’s Trip to NYC featuring visits to art and design venues, creative agencies, and artist studios.

The MCAD Animation Minor explores traditional animation techniques, compositing, storytelling, and pre-production. Students will also learn how to use the latest industry software to create animations. Four classes are required to complete the program: Character Design, Drawing for Animators, Experimental Animation, and Storyboarding.

The Minneapolis College of Art and Design Animation BFA has two tracks: 2D and 3D Animation. Both tracks require 12 credit hours of study within the 120 credit hours required to graduate. Students may focus in other areas through the programs 26 credits of required studio electives. Course examples include 3D Rendering, Experimental Animation, Introduction to Filmmaking, Stop-Motion Animation, and Professional Practice.

Both BFA and MFA students may complete an internship and/or study abroad in places such as Italy, Germany, Japan, and the UK. MCAD Students have interned at Nickelodeon, MTV, Walker Art Center, Massachusetts Museum of Art, among others.

Potential careers for MCAD Animation and Visual Studies graduates include Background Animator, 3D Modeler/Animator, Stop-Motion Animator, Film Editor, Pixel Artist, Special-Effects Animator, Storyboard Artist, Character Developer, Inker/Opaquer/Checker, Director, Producer, Writer, and Project Manager.

Minneapolis College of Art and Design was established in 1886 by the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts. The school serves more than 800 students from 45 states and 15 countries. Programs include 14 undergraduate majors leading to a BFA or BS, three MA degrees, one MFA degree, and five professional development certificate options.

Minneapolis College of Art and Design is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The school is also affiliated with the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD).

The Animation Program at Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) has the largest enrollment of any other program at the school. Degree options include BFAs in Animation and Experimental Animation. An Animation Minor that provides instruction in the principles of both traditional and CG animation is also available. Courses for the program include Animation 1, Character Design for Animators 1, Storyboarding 1, CG Animation 1, and Animation 2. History of Animation is strongly recommended for this program, but it is not a requirement.

The Animation BFA provides instruction and hands-on training in creating animated characters, filmmaking (editing, directing, screenwriting, sound design), pitching stories, and working in teams. The program consists of a combination of liberal arts and studio courses. Examples of liberal arts courses include Age of Michelangelo, Illuminating Women: Female Artists, Scientists, Poets, and Philosophers of the Renaissance, Worldly + Otherworldly Creatures, Traditional Arts of West Africa, and the Science of Sight.

Examples of studio courses and other course requirements include Character Design for Animators, Digital Skills, Acting for Animators, CG Modeling, Directing for Animators, Visual Development for Animators, and Figure Drawing for Animators. Animation BFA students will also complete the Animation Practicum, and the Senior Capstone and Thesis Defense course.

The Experimental Animation BFA Program at Laguna College of Art and Design is led by experienced instructors who are active in the television, film, games, and animation industries. With class sizes limited to 18 students, the program emphasizes learning by doing. This means, students will complete several projects throughout the program, including Experimental Thesis Film 1 and 2. In addition, students may specialize in one or more of the following areas: storyboarding, internet series projects, and show design.

Course examples for the Experimental Animation BFA Program include Fundamentals of Maya, 2D Analog/Digital Puppetry, Directing for Limited and Experimental Animation, Paperless Animation, Experimental Stop Motion Techniques, Compositing for Animators, Animation for New Media, Art Direction for TV and New Media, New Media Auteur, Storyboarding for Limited Animation, and Character Design or Limited Animation and Stop Motion.

Students in all LCAD Animation Programs have the opportunity to participate in the LCAD Animation Film Festival (LAFF). Held annually, LAFF is a theatrical exhibition that showcases the best student animated films.

Graduates of the LCAD Animation Programs are routinely hired by major television, film, games, and animation studios. Examples include Warner Brothers Feature Animation, Obsidian Entertainment, Pixar, The Jim Henson Company, Sony, South Park Studios, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Disney, LAIKA Studios, DreamWorks, Fox, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), and Titmouse.

Founded in 1961, Laguna College of Art and Design began as Laguna Beach School of Art (LBSA). In addition to the main campus in Laguna Beach, LCAD has educational affiliates locally and around the world including Florence Academy of Arts in Florence, Italy, Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, and NHTV Breda University of Applied Sciences (NHTV), Netherlands.

Laguna College of Art and Design serves around 770 students enrolled in dozens of degree and minor programs. The school is regionally and nationally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

The School of Film at University of the Arts (UArts) has three paths to study animation including a BFA in Animation, a BFA in Film & Animation, and a Minor in Animation. The School of Film encourages collaboration between schools, so students have opportunities to study design, acting, photography, and other disciplines.

The Animation BFA Program allows students to focus in 2D, 3D, Stop Motion/Experimental, or a hybrid focus path. The Film & Animation BFA explores many styles and genres in both animation and filmmaking. Examples include traditional animation, narrative, computer-generated animation, documentary, stop motion, and experimental. Across programs, students will have opportunities to work with professionals and faculty associated with major studios and networks such as Disney Animation Studios, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, HBO, Cartoon Network, and Netflix.

The curriculum for the BFA Programs combines a collaborative, hands-on teaching environment with internships at studios such as Augenblick, and study away experiences in places such as France and South Korea. Students will also participate in lectures, screenings, and formal critiquing sessions designed to evaluate their progress and work.

A major component of the Animation Programs at University of the Arts is the Professional Practices class. This multifaceted course, which takes place in the final year of the program, includes guest speakers, personal branding development, mock interviews, social media strategies, design, and resume building. At the end of the course, students will have the opportunity to display their final portfolio reels online.

The Animation Program at UArts also provides access to a 5,600-square-foot space known as the Center for Immersive Media (CIM), which allows students to explore other areas such as human-computer interaction (HCI), VR/AR, and performance motion-capture. In addition to CIM, animation students have unlimited access to computer labs and state-of-the-art animation, film, and stop-motion studios.

University of the Arts Animation graduates are Character Animators, Storyboard Artists, Effects Animators, Computer Animators, Art Directors, Clay/Puppet Animators, Directors, Scientific Animators, Forensics Animators, and Background Artists, among others.

UArts graduates have been hired at a number of local companies such as unPOP, Alkemy X, and Center City Film & Video. UArts alumni also work at major companies, studios, and networks such as Netflix, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Google, DreamWorks, HBO, and Sony Interactive Entertainment. 

Founded in 1876 as part of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, University of the Arts serves nearly 1,500 students enrolled in over 40 degree programs in fine arts, design, media arts, dance, music, theater, and crafts. More than 20 minors are available and open to all students. UArts programs are offered in the Schools of Art, Dance, Design, Film, Music, Theater Arts, and Graduate and Professional Studies. University of the Arts is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

The School of Film and Television at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) houses the Walter and Grace Lantz Undergraduate Animation Program. Students in this program will study traditional and digital techniques to develop films, television productions, video games, and emerging media forms. Animation students will gain hands-on experience in storytelling, 3D filmmaking, visual effects (VFX), stop-motion animation, and motion capture, among others. Programs lead to a BA or a Minor in Animation.

The LMU BA is a four year program that requires 45 semester hours of study in upper division coursework. The Minor consists of 18 semester hours of study and is open to all LMU students, regardless of major. Course examples across programs include Visual Story Development, 3D Computer Animation, Discovering Animation, Pixel Animation, Animated Perspectives, Virtual Production, Character Development, Interactive Animation, History of Animation, Immersive Media Studio, and Animation Workshop. 

The Animation BA requires a significant number of electives, allowing students to focus their studies in an area of interest. During the final year of the Animation BA Program, students will complete the Animation Practicum and Senior Thesis Project.

Graduates of Animation Programs at Loyola Marymount University are prepared for positions in animation, film, games, design, television, advertising, science, medicine, law, and education, among others. Animation Program alumni have worked on a number of major productions such as Wonder Woman, Superman: Doomsday, Green Lantern: First Flight, The Simpsons, and The Simpsons Movie.

Loyola Marymount University was established in 1911. The school serves 10,000 students enrolled in 55 undergraduate majors, 58 minors, 46 master's degree programs, one education doctorate, one doctorate in juridical science, one juris doctorate, and 14 credential programs across seven colleges and schools. Loyola Marymount University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

The Animation BFA Program at Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) is housed in the Department of Converging Media. Because Filmmaking, Interactive Arts, and Photography are also housed in the Department, cross-disciplinary study is encouraged. Animation students may also declare a double major in Art History and Animation or Creative Writing and Animation. Both options require 141 credit hours to graduate.

Animation BFA course examples include Digital Methods, Explorations in Animation, Contemporary Animation History, and Ideas in Motion. Elective options for the KCAI Animation BFA run the gamut from Documentary and Narrative Storytelling to The Art of Stop Motion Puppetry and Filmmaking and Animation. The Professional Practice course, taken during the senior year of the program allows students to interact and network with visiting artists, scholars, and industry professionals.

Also during the final year of the program, students will engage in two six-credit studios where they will have the opportunity to conceptualize and produce an animated work. Students may also complete an internship at a local or national studio. 

Many graduates of the Kansas City Art Institute BFA in Animation Program go on to pursue advanced degrees at top institutions such as School of Visual Art New York (SVA NY), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC), and California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts).   Others have been hired at major studios, companies, and networks such as Nickelodeon, Titmouse, Warner Bros., Disney, Netflix, Hallmark, and Digital Domain.

Kansas City Art Institute was established in 1885 as a Sketch Club. Situated within Kansas City’s arts corridor—just steps from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art—this four-year art and design college serves more than 700 students enrolled in 13 majors across 15 program areas. Kansas City Art Institute is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Chapman University (Chapman) houses Dodge College of Film & Media Arts—one of the fastest growing film, advertising, and broadcast journalism school in the U.S. Students in all Dodge programs have access to the highly collaborative Digital Media Arts Center (DMAC), which was inspired by the creative spaces at major studios and companies such as Google, Disney, Microsoft, and Pixar.

Other Dodge College highlights include internships with studios such as Blizzard Entertainment, Disney, and Blur Studios; study abroad experiences in places such as Japan, France, Mozambique, Peru and New Zealand; access to industry software and tools such Adobe Creative Suite, 3ds Max, Xsens MVN Animate, and Autodesk Maya; and participation in student clubs such as the Chapman Animation and Visual Effects Club, The Collective, and the Virtual Reality/AR Club.

For animators, Chapman’s Dodge College of Film & Media Arts has an Animation and Visual Effects (VFX) Program with a focus in either Animation or VFX. Within the Animation Focus are two Areas: CG and 2D. Course examples for the CG Area include Mechanics of Motion, Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Character Animation for CG, Storyboarding and Story Reels, Production Design, and Storytelling in Animation and Visual Effects. 

2D students will take courses such as Fundamental Graphics I-II for Animation and Visual Effects, 3D Computer Graphics I-II, Character Design, Visual Storytelling, and Color and Design: Principles and Practice. Students in both areas will complete Senior Thesis I: Concept Development, Senior Thesis II: Pre-Production and Production I, and Senior Thesis III: Production II and Post-Production. The Animation and VFX Program leads to a BFA. 

Graduates of the Animation and VFX Program at Chapman University are prepared for careers in the animation, film and gaming industries. Possible job titles include Animator, Production Designer, Modeler, Texture Painter, Visual Effects Artist or Supervisor, Rigger, and Compositor, among others.

Founded in 1861 as Hesperian College, Chapman University is a business, entertainment, and technology college that serves 9,600 students enrolled in 200 programs across 11 colleges and schools. Chapman University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities (WSCUC).

The School of Media: Culture : Design at Woodbury University (Woodbury) has an Animation + VFX Program that prepares students for careers in professional animation and visual effects production. This STEM-designated BFA program consists of coursework in 2D animation production, 3D animation production, stop-motion animation production, and visual effects. The program also provides a variety of electives such as Digital Painting, History of Women in Animation, Puppet Building, Digital Sculpting, and History of Disney Animation.

The Animation + VFX BFA at Woodbury University is a professional degree that requires the completion of a thesis. Students will complete this final project across four courses during the junior and senior years of the program. In addition, all students are required to complete an internship. Students have interned at major studios such as Walt Disney Imagineering, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Cartoon Network, DreamWorks, and Nickelodeon.

Graduates of the Animation + VFX Program at Woodbury have been hired at Netflix Animation, DreamWorks, 20th Century Studios, The Walt Disney Company, and American Broadcasting Company (ABC), among others.

Woodbury University was founded in 1884 as Woodbury College, making it one of the oldest universities on the west coast. Serving approximately 950 students, Woodbury offers 25 undergraduate and five graduate programs across four schools and three campuses in Burbank (main), Hollywood, and San Diego, California. Woodbury University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Arts & Design (NASAD) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities (WSCUC).

The 3D Animation & Visual Effects (VFX) School at New York Film Academy Los Angeles (NYFA Los Angeles) has several pathways to study animation including an Animation BFA, a One-Year 3D Animation Conservatory Program, and an immersive Four-Week 3D Animation Workshop. Students in all programs work and learn in hands-on production workshops on the Universal Studios backlot in the Burbank area of Los Angeles.

Course examples across programs include Animation, Maya Polygonal Modeling, Professional Development in Animation, Character Design, Screenwriting, Acting for Animation, Advanced Rigging, UP Mapping, and Particle Dynamics and Visual Effects in Maya. Courses at NYFA Los Angeles are taught by professionals in the field who have worked with studios and companies such as Disney Animation, DreamWorks, Netflix, Digital Domain, and Sony Pictures Imageworks.

NYFA Los Angeles alumni are Animators, VFX Artists, and Filmmakers. They work for (or have worked with) NBCUniversal, Bad Robot Productions, Digital Domain, DreamWorks Animation, Tyler Perry Studios, ACM Siggraph, and Gearbox Software, among others.

New York Film Academy has degree-granting campuses in Los Angeles, New York, and Miami. Additional campuses and programs are located at Harvard University (Cambridge, MA) and in China, France, Australia, and Russia. Founded in 1992, NYFA serves thousands of students enrolled in dozens of Visual and Performing Arts programs. New York Film Academy is accredited Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

The School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University (SMFA at Tufts) is part of a top-tier research university that provides intensive studio arts training, an interdisciplinary learning environment, networking opportunities, and hands-on experience through on-campus projects and internships.

Programs for animators include a BFA and Combined BFA + BA/BS. These unique pathways allow students to focus their work with their academic advisors to customize a focus in one or more mediums. Examples include Animation, Film and Video, Virtual Reality, Digital Media, and Graphic Arts. Animation coursework includes Animation Basics, Animation Integration, Drawing for Animation, Animation 2, Stop-Motion Animation, and Moving Image.

Coursework for both programs is complemented by visiting artist lectures, screenings, projects, and demos, and students may add a Studio Art Minor to enhance their degree.

In the final year of the BFA program, students may apply to the SMFA Tufts Senior Thesis Program. This yearlong capstone leads to a professional work and exhibition. Combined BFA + BA/BS students will graduate with two degrees: a BFA and a BA or BS in their chosen area.

The School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) was founded in 1876 as part of The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. SMFA began a partnership with Tufts University in 1945, with the goal to offer joint degree programs. Today, SMFA at Tufts serves more than 400 students enrolled in BFA, MFA, MAT, Combined-degree (BFA + BA/BS), Certificate or Studio Diploma programs.

The School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). As part of Tufts University, SMFA is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).