2024

What are the top private animation schools for 2024?

Top 40 Private Animation Schools and Colleges in the U.S. – 2024 College Rankings
RankingSchoolState%
1California Institute of the ArtsCalifornia Top 1%
2Savannah College of Art and DesignGeorgia Top 3%
3Ringling College of Art and DesignFlorida Top 4%
4School of Visual ArtsNew York Top 5%
5University of Southern CaliforniaCaliforniaTop 6%
6Rhode Island School of DesignRhode IslandTop 7%
7Gnomon School of Visual EffectsCalifornia Top 8%
8Pratt InstituteNew York Top 9%
9Academy of Art UniversityCalifornia Top 10%
10New York UniversityNew YorkTop 15%
11Brigham Young UniversityUtah Top 15%
12ArtCenter College of DesignCalifornia Top 15%
13Full Sail UniversityFlorida Top 15%
14DePaul UniversityIllinois Top 15%
15Rochester Institute of TechnologyNew York Top 20%
16Carnegie Mellon UniversityPennsylvania Top 20%
17School of the Art Institute of ChicagoIllinois Top 20%
18Otis College of Art and DesignCalifornia Top 20%
19California College of the ArtsCalifornia Top 20%
20DigiPen Institute of TechnologyWashington Top 25%
21Columbia College ChicagoIllinois Top 25%
22Columbus College of Art & DesignOhio Top 25%
23Maryland Institute College of ArtMaryland Top 25%
24Minneapolis College of Art and DesignMinnesota Top 25%
25The New School's Parsons School of DesignNew York Top 30%
26Laguna College of Art and DesignCalifornia Top 30%
27College for Creative StudiesMichigan Top 30%
28Rocky Mountain College of Art and DesignColorado Top 30%
29University of the ArtsPennsylvania Top 30%
30Cleveland Institute of ArtOhio Top 35%
31Kansas City Art InstituteMissouri Top 35%
32Drexel UniversityPennsylvania Top 35%
33Loyola Marymount UniversityCalifornia Top 35%
34University of PennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaTop 40%
35Northeastern UniversityMassachusetts Top 40%
36The Digital Animation & Visual Effects School Florida Top 40%
37Woodbury UniversityCalifornia Top 40%
38Chapman UniversityCalifornia Top 40%
39Lipscomb UniversityTennessee Top 45%
40Syracuse UniversityNew York Top 45%

Our 2024 list -our thirteenth annual- of the Top 40 Private Animation School Programs in the US. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.

1. California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, California (Top 1% of colleges considered)
California Institute of the Arts

The School of Film/Video is the largest department at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). It is also one of the nation’s most celebrated F/V schools, with famous alumni such as Tim Burton (Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood), Chris Buck (Frozen), and John Lasseter (Toy Story, Cars).

Within the School of Film/Video at CalArts are a number of intensive BFA and MFA programs in F/V, Film Directing, Character Animation, and Experimental Animation. All programs allow students to explore live-action, animation/animated cinema, and documentary filmmaking, among others. For students seeking a solid animation program, the BFA and MFA degrees in Experimental Animation and the BFA in Character Animation are ideal options.

The Character Animation BFA at CalArts is a four-year program that prepares students to work in both traditional and CG animation environments. Students also have opportunities to pursue one of several interdisciplinary programs (concurrently) and/or add a minor that complements the BFA program. A popular option is the Digital Arts minor.

Other program features include participation in lectures; interactions with visiting artists such as accomplished animators and filmmakers; attendance at a variety of demonstrations and screenings throughout the program; and a comprehensive curriculum that explores all areas of character and CG animation. Examples include several courses in Digital Methods; Character Animation; Film Workshop; Storyboarding; CG Foundation; and Professional Preparation. All students are also required to take Acting for Animators at least once during the program.

The Character Animation BFA at California Institute of the Arts concludes with the creation of a professional portfolio and several short films.

The Experimental Animation BFA and MFA programs at in CalArts collaborate closely with mentors to develop skills in animation approaches, techniques, and processes. Examples include 2D animation, programming, stop motion, digital production, installation, performance animation, motion capture, and multipane. Experimental Animation students will also participate in independent study, lecture courses, and the internship program, as well as seminars, workshops, and visiting artist lectures.

BFA students will take courses such as Sound for Experimental Animation; Animation Workshop; Motion and Meaning; Hybrid Imaging; Concept Development; Animation Production; Critical Studies; and Film History.

Like Character Animation students, all CalArts Experimental Animation BFA students have the opportunity to add the Digital Arts Minor and/or pursue one of several interdisciplinary programs (concurrently). The Digital Arts Minor allows students to develop skills in areas such as computer programming, web design, video editing, digital sound production, and digital fabrication.

The CalArts Experimental Animation BFA program takes four years to complete. To graduate, students will produce a professional portfolio and final project.

The Experimental Animation MFA at California Institute of the Arts is a three-year, residency track program designed for students seeking leadership positions in studio production, those interested in launching their own studios, and individuals who would like to teach and create. Students in this interdisciplinary program will have opportunities to take courses from Art, Music, Theater, and Dance to reach the 60 required credits to graduate.

At least six graduate-level credits of history/theory coursework must be completed in residence at CalArts. To fulfill these requirements, students will take History of Experimental Animation; Seminar in Animation History; and one other approved history/theory course. Other course examples include First Year Shorts; Drawn Techniques for the Experimental Animator; Stop Motion Basics; Interactive Media; Digital Workflow for Animators; and Sound for Experimental Animation.

The Experimental Animation MFA at CalArts culminates with a thesis, which students will complete across four seminar courses consisting of 12 credit hours. Courses include Experimental Animation Thesis Concept Seminar (two courses) and Experimental Animation Thesis Production Seminar (two courses).

California Institute of the Arts graduates go on to successful careers in animation, film and video, advertising, marketing, and acting. Many CalArts alumni have launched their own studios and other entertainment businesses.

In 1961, Walt and Roy Disney formed California Institute of the Arts through a merger of the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music and the Chouinard Art Institute. Today, CalArts serves 1,440 students enrolled in more than 70 degree programs across six schools including Art; Film/Video; Theater; Critical Studies; Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance; and Herb Alpert School of Music. California Institute of the Arts also houses the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT), located in downtown LA, and the Community Arts Partnership (CAP) with community organizations and public schools across LA County.

California Institute of the Arts is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The school is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).

2. Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Georgia (Top 3% of colleges considered)
Savannah College of Art and Design

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

Other program features include instruction from celebrated professors who have worked at major studios and on award-winning productions such as Ice Age, Pocahontas, and The Lion King; participation in SCAD Study Abroad in Lacoste, France, or other location; and SCAD Savannah Film Festival, which highlights special film screenings, celebrity panels, lectures, workshops, and presentations with celebrated industry professionals. SCAD Film Festival is the largest university-run film festival in the world.

For artists seeking an undergraduate or graduate program in Animation, Savannah College of Art and Design has BFA, MA, and MFA degrees in Animation. Available Minors include Animation, Concept Design for Animation and Games, and Animated Illustration and Publication Design. 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/MA or BFA/MFA at an accelerated pace. Students in the BFA/MA program may complete this combined degree in less than four years. The BFA/MFA can be completed in five years or less.

The 180 credit hour Animation BFA is available at SCAD’s Atlanta and Savannah campuses. The major curriculum for the program consists of 80 credit hours, including concentrations in 2D Animation, 3D Character Animation, Technical Animation, or Storytelling and Concept Development. Students also have the opportunity to select 15 credit hours of free electives. Course examples for the program (and concentrations) include Digital Communication; Visual Culture in Context: Making Modernities; Storyboarding Essentials; Inventing Environments; 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.

The Animation MA and MFA programs at Savannah College of Art and Design 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; 3D Cartoon Character Animation; Computer-Generated Modeling and Design; 3D Naturalistic Character Animation; Drawing in Motion; and Look Development. Students have the option to complete a graduate internship.

The culminating experience for the SCAD MA program is the School of Animation and Motion MA Final Project. During the course of this experience, students propose, develop, and execute a project that is then cut into their reel.

The Animation MFA at Savannah College of Art and Design consists of courses such as Storyboarding and Previsualization; Computer-Generated Modeling and Design; Drawing in Motion; Animation Aesthetics and Practice; and Media Theory and Application. Completion of at least seven 500- to 700-level electives is part of the program, as well as a required graduate internship and the Animation MFA Thesis.

Across all SCAD Animation programs, graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles in all areas of Film and Animation. SCAD Animation alumni 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, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Lucasfilm Animation. SCAD alumni have worked on Oscar nominated productions such as Encanto (won), Raya and the Last Dragon, Luca, and Turning Red. Many SCAD graduates have also established careers at places such as Microsoft, Adobe, Deloitte, Spotify, and Delta Air Lines.

Founded in 1978, Savannah College of Art and Design opened its doors 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 16,000 students across campuses in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia, and Lacoste, France. SCAD students hail from more than 120 countries and all 50 states.

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).

3. Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, Florida (Top 4% of colleges considered)
Ringling College of Art and Design

Ringling College of Art and Design (RCAD) has a Computer Animation program that has produced 17 Student Academy Award-winning students since 1998. Established in 1990 and leading to a BFA, the program requires 120 credit hours of study. Courses are taught by accomplished professionals in the field, complemented by interactions with industry guest speakers from major studios such as DreamWorks.

Other program features include internship opportunities; real-world projects with area businesses; visiting artists; and participation in the RCAD initiative INDEX (Industry Experience). Developed in partnership with The Patterson Family Foundation, INDEX provides experiential learning opportunities including everything from additional internships to competitions sponsored by major clients and brands. INDEX also helps students build their resumes and portfolios.

The RCAD Computer Animation BFA requires 120 credit hours, including 48 credit hours in the major and 12 credit hours of open electives. Electives allow students to enhance the curriculum by gaining skills in multiple areas of art and design. Students will take required major courses such as Computer Animation I-VI; Visual Development for Computer Animation I-II; Traditional Animation I-II; Story Development I-II; and Animation Preproduction. The culminating experience for this BFA program is the Thesis Project in Computer Animation.

An additional degree option for individuals looking to launch a career in animation is RCAD’s Motion Design BFA. This program covers animation, design, stop motion, and sound. Motion Design students have access to state-of-the-art Studio 314; opportunities to collaborate on projects in teams; participate in the ART Network Group; and attend the week-long FutureProof conference. This major event consists of presentations, workshops, and other activities designed to enhance the BFA degree. Past speakers have included artists and others from Nickelodeon, Telemundo, Hue&Cry, Hornet, and FutureDeluxe.

The Motion Design BFA requires 120 credit hours, including 39 in the major, 12 (regular electives), and 12 (open electives). Examples of major courses include 2D Animation; 3D Animation; Concept Development I-II; Advanced 2D Animation; Advanced 3D Animation; Design Fundamentals for Motion; and Branding and Visual Systems. Elective examples include Styleframe Development in Motion; Advanced Animation Techniques; Digital Compositing for 3D; Project Mapping; and Advanced Motion Design Techniques I-II.

The Motion Design BFA program at Ringling College of Art and Design culminates with two courses: Senior Project: Production Studio and Senior Project: Experimental (with presentation).

Graduates of the art and design programs at RCAD have won Oscars and many have launched their own studios and freelance businesses. RCAD alumni have worked with major companies and studios around the globe. Examples include Disney, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Universal, Sony, Walt Disney Animation, Google, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Hulu, Titmouse, Discovery, LAIKA Studios, Meta, ESPN, MPC, Ubisoft, Ford, Pandora, TikTok, and Feld Entertainment.

Ringling College of Art and Design is a private, not-for-profit college accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Founded in 1931 by Dr. Ludd M. Spivey (then president of Southern College) and circus baron John Ringling, RCAD serves 1,705 students enrolled in 11 different majors leading to a BFA degree, two majors leading to a BA, and minor options in 10 areas.

4. School of Visual Arts, New York, New York (Top 5% of colleges considered)

The Animation Department at School of Visual Arts (SVA) has three undergraduate pathways for students who would like to train for a career in animation. Options include Animation, Computer Art, and Computer Animation and Visual Effects. Leading to a BFA, all programs emphasize hands-on experience; working relationships with independent animators across New York and alumni-owned Augenblick Studios, Plymptoons, and Titmouse; and mentors who are accomplished special effects artists, directors, and character designers.

Students in all BFA programs train on the latest industry software including Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe Animate, Storyboard Pro, Maya, and After Effects. SVA Animation students also participate in the School of Visual Arts Thesis Celebration, where they have the opportunity to present their best work to industry professionals and other celebrated 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 Association of International Film Animators (ASIFA), the Academy of Motion Pictures, and The International Animation Festival. 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, Nickelodeon, Sony Pictures Animation, Lucasfilm Animation, Disney Animation Studios, and Warner Bros. Animation.

For animation students seeking an advanced degree, School of Visual Arts has an interdisciplinary Computer Arts MFA program with several in-demand concentration areas. The Computer Arts Department at SVA was established in 1986 as the first MFA program in the nation to focus in computer arts. With a network of more than 1,200 alumni, the MFA program features workshops; visiting artists; guest lectures in all areas of animation, experimental art, and motion graphics; and internship opportunities.

Concentration areas for this 60 credit hour program include 2D Animation, 3D Animation & VFX, and Experimental Art. Across options, students will take courses such as Animation Culture; Character Animation; Advanced Modeling and Rigging Concepts; Digital 2D Animation: Tight Tie Downs; Motion Graphics I-II; Emerging Practices: Nonlinear Storytelling; Virtual Reality Storytelling; and Creative Programming for Artists I-II.

During the course of their studies, MFA Computer Art students have been nominated for 13 Student Academy Awards, and won nine. They have also won awards at international competitions such as ISEA; Prix Ars Electronica; the Leonardo Awards for Excellence; SIGGRAPH; Electronic Theater and Art Show; Adobe Design Achievement Awards; and the YouTube Awards. Student works have also appeared at New York Film Festival and international film festivals such as Cannes, Tribeca, Sundance, Annecy, and Ottawa.

The Computer Art MFA program at SVA culminates with the Thesis, which students will complete across four courses. These include Thesis Research and Writing I & II; and Thesis I & II.

Graduates of the Computer Arts MFA program at School of Visual Arts have won a number of Academy, Emmy, and Grammy awards. Program alumni have also been hired at major studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), MTV, Pixar, Google, Adobe, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Electronic Arts (EA), Disney, and DreamWorks. Some alumni have gone on to launch their own studios and freelance businesses.

School of Visual Arts opened in 1947 as the Cartoonists and Illustrators school. Classes began with just three teachers and 35 students. Today, SVA serves approximately 3,440 students enrolled in dozens of BFA, MA, MFA, and MPS programs. School of Visual Arts 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).

5. University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (Top 6% of colleges considered)
University of Southern California

University of Southern California (USC) is home to the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA). Within USC Cinematic Arts is The John C. Hench Division of Animation + Digital Arts (Hench DADA), which has programs for animators at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Options for undergraduates include the Animation + Digital Arts BFA, and Minors in 3D Animation and Game Animation. The Game Animation Minor is part of the Interactive Media Division within the School of Cinematic Arts.

Through electives, the USC 3D Animation Minor allows students to focus in a specific area such as Character Animation; Motion Capture; Modeling; Virtual Reality; and Visual Effects. The Game Animation Minor combines the teaching of systems thinking and developing animation skills. Through electives, Game Animation students may explore areas such as visual effects game development or digital effects. USC SCA minors are 16 units and all require a final project to graduate.

At the graduate level, USC SCA students can earn an Animation + Digital Arts MFA or an Expanded Animation Research + Practice (XA) MFA. This program is housed in SCA’s Expanded Animation Division.

All program options feature the opportunity to collaborate with students across other creative USC schools such Roski School of Art and Design, Thornton School of Music, the School of Architecture, and Viterbi School of Engineering. School of Cinematic Art students also have access to state-of-the art facilities and equipment such as the Ganek Immersive Studio; Cintiq and computer labs; Motion Capture, sound mixing; green screen, and film stages; and an IMAX theater and new Virtual Production Stage.

Other SCA features include guest speakers; courses taught by seasoned filmmakers and industry professionals; and the student-organized USC Animation Studio Day, where students have the opportunity to meet with studio representatives to discuss internships and job opportunities, and present their portfolios.

The Animation + Digital Arts BFA program at University of Southern California provides the opportunity to choose a concentration area. Potential options include Character Animation, Immersive Media, 3D Computer Animation, Experimental Animation, Motion Graphics, Interactive Animation, Visualizing Science, Documentary Animation, and Visual Effects.

In addition to the concentration, BFA students will complete courses such as Design Fundamentals I-II; Storyboarding for Animation; Intermediate Character Performance; Cinematography for Animators; and Professionalism in Animation; and Ideation + Pre-Production. Access to an array of animation electives allow students to enhance the degree further. Just a few elective examples include Demystifying the TV Animation Pipeline; Procedural Animation (Houdini); and Live Action Integration with Visual Effects. 

During the final year of the Animation + Digital Arts BFA program, students will complete the Senior Capstone Film/Project course, which consists of the production and post-production of a fully rendered, animated piece—with soundtrack. Projects are presented to a committee upon completion.

The Animation + Digital Arts MFA at USC provides mini studios for all students as well as ongoing workshops in new technologies and internship opportunities. Techniques and approaches covered range from hand-drawn character animation to interactive digital animation. Course examples for the program include Expanded Animation, Animation Production, and Storytelling for Animation.

Elective units are an important part of the MFA program and include course titles such as Seminar: Avant-Garde Film/Video; World Cinema Before 1945; and Survey of Interactive Media. The Animation + Digital Arts MFA program at USC takes three years to complete.

The XA MFA at University of Southern California requires a minimum of 50 units to graduate. Thirty of these units are dedicated to Expanded Animation. Students in this program have the opportunity to select a research concentration from an extensive list of options. Examples include Experimental Animation; Animation for Robotics; Documentary Animation; Fine Art Animation Practice; Cinematic Installations; Virtual Humans and AI; Performance Gesture; Narrativity; Dreams and Consciousness; Sound Design; Gesture Movement; and Science Visualization.

Courses for the XA MFA program are supported by exhibitions, research collaborations, and overnight field trips. Course examples include Expanded Animation; Cinematic Animation - the Art of Motion in Virtual Space; Expanded Animation Production; Writing and Story Art for Vision and Motion; Applied Expanded Animation; and Theory and Practice in Contemporary Animation.

The XA MFA program at USC culminates with the Master’s Thesis, completed over two courses. Final projects have include animation, AI, AR/VR, interactive, installations, and more.

Graduates of the Animation programs at the University of Southern California are prepared to pursue leadership roles at major studios across the U.S. and around the globe. Program alumni have been hired at places such DreamWorks Animation, Pixar, Sony Pictures, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Illumination, and Digital Domain. Many USC alumni have also launched their own independent studios. 

University of Southern California opened in 1880 with 53 students and 10 teachers. Today, USC employs over 4,400 full-time faculty that serve 49,500 students. This makes University of Southern California the largest private sector employer in Los Angeles and the largest school by enrollment in the state. Students at USC have access to more than 23 schools and divisions that provide over 600 graduate and professional programs. The University of Southern California is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

6. Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode Island (Top 7% of colleges considered)
Rhode Island School of Design

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is home to the Film/Animation/Video (FAV) Department, which serves 150 students. Leading to a BFA, the FAV program combines animation, live-action, and open media. Students have the option to specialize in any of the three areas. Regardless of specialization, all students are required to take first year studios in Experimental and Foundation Studies (EFS). Students will also take courses in Liberal Arts to supplement studio studies.

Course examples for the RISD FAV BFA include Animation Practices; Time, Light, Sound; Intermediate Studio: Animation; Digital Practices; Intermediate Studio: Live Action; and Senior Studio: Animation.

All RISD FAV students have access to state of the art facilities and equipment such as production studios puppet animation, film, video, 16mm, and 35mm; Macintosh and CGI workstations equipped with a variety of professional editing and production software; and sound mixing and digital editing rooms. Collaborative study, workshops, and a professional internship are also part of the program.

During the senior year of the FAV BFA program at Rhode Island School of Design, 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. Held in May, this public event allows students to network and put their final animated or live action films on the map. Graduates will leave the FAV BFA program with a professional reel and portfolio.

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

Founded in 1877 as both a school and a museum, Rhode Island School of Design is one of the first independent colleges of art and design in the U.S. This private, nonprofit college serves 2,620 students enrolled in 44 full-time bachelor’s and master’s degree 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.

7. Gnomon School of Visual Effects, Hollywood, California (Top 8% of colleges considered)
Gnomon School of Visual Effects

Gnomon School of Visual Effects houses several immersive programs designed to develop studio-ready professionals. Options include the Digital Production BFA or Certificate, and a preparatory program known as Foundation in Art & Design. The certificate program 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.

The Digital Production BFA at Gnomon requires 180 total units, including 135 in career-focused study and 45 in general education. Students may choose from three options including 3D Generalist, Visual Effects, or Game Art. The 3D Generalist option explores all aspects of 3D production, making it an ideal choice for animators.

Across all options, students will receive intensive training in industry software such as After Effects, Houdini, Nuke, V-Ray, Unreal Engine, Photoshop, ZBrush, and Maya. Course examples for the program include Character Animation; Animation and Visual Effects; Animal Drawing; Creature Animation; Storyboarding; Figure Drawing; Digital Painting; Photoshop for Digital Production; Matchmoving and Integration; Narrative Structure; Previsualization and Animatics; Digital Production; Art of Compositing; and HD Digital Filmmaking for VFX.

The Digital Production BFA program at Gnomon School of Visual Effects concludes with the production of a professional demo reel. This culminating experience takes place across four courses.

The Gnomon Digital Production Certificate is a 147-unit program that provides five areas of focused study. Options include Character & Creature Animation; Visual Effects Animation; 3D Generalist; Game Art; and Modeling & Texturing.

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), Riot Games, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Sony Pictures Imageworks, Marvel Entertainment, Nickelodeon Animation, Blizzard Entertainment, Reel FX, Digital Domain, Naughty Dog, and Weta FX.

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 provides 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).

8. Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York (Top 9% of colleges considered)
Pratt Institute

Pratt Institute (Pratt) is home to the School of Art, which houses eight departments and more than 30 degree programs. The Department of Digital Arts here houses several animation programs. The BFA and MFA options provide the opportunity to concentrate in 3D Animation and Motion Arts. The BFA program also has a 2D Animation concentration.

Across programs, features include small class sizes with courses taught by industry professionals; a collaborative environment; access to state-of-the art studios and facilities; and the opportunity to create a final professional portfolio or reel.

Pratt BFA students will take courses such as Time and Movement; History of Animation; 3D Animation Studio; Compositing and Special Effects; Audio for Digital Media; Animation Narrative; Video Editing; 2D Animation Studio; Screenwriting; and Professional Practices. BFA students will complete a 2D or 3D Animation Senior Project across several classes. This culminating experience results polished portfolio quality piece.

In the Digital Arts MFA program at Pratt Institute, students will create narrative films, installations, and non-narrative films using 2D and 3D digital animation techniques, motion graphics, and live action. This one-year, 60 credit hour program consists of courses such as 3D Animation: Expressive Motion; 3D Character Modeling and Rigging; 3D Lighting and Rendering; Graduate Animation Seminar I-II; and 3D Animation Studio: Performance & Acting.

The MFA program culminates with the Thesis (time-based project), completed across three courses: Thesis I, Post Production, and Thesis II. Students will use a mix of animation, video audio, rendering and compositing tools to complete their final projects.

Graduates of the Digital Arts programs at Pratt Institute are prepared to pursue positions across a variety of creative industries. MFA alumni have been hired at places such as Sony Pictures Imageworks, Walt Disney Animation Studios, NBCUniversal, Inc., Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), Augenblick, Cartoon Network, Gameloft, DreamWorks, Curious Pictures, Framestore, Digital Domain, Buzzfeed, Titmouse, and Thrillist.

MFA alumni have also gone on to establish academic careers at institutions such as University of Florida (UF), Digital Worlds Institute, New York University (NYU), Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), Howard University, and National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU).

Founded in 1887, Pratt Institute was one of the nation’s first colleges to welcome students without regard to color, gender, or class. The school serves approximately 5,050 students across campuses in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Utica, New York. More than 70 degree programs are provided across six schools and The Center for Interdisciplinary Studies. Pratt Institute is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

9. Academy of Art University, San Francisco, California (Top 10% of colleges considered)
Academy of Art University

Academy of Art University (Academy of Art) is home to the Houdini Certified School of Animation & Visual Effects (VFX). The school provides programs that take place in a studio production environment known as StudioX. The Academy of Art School of Animation & VFX is the only school of its kind to teach in this type of environment.

Because StudioX functions like most real-world studios, students gain hands-on experience using the latest industry standard equipment. Studio X students have been credited for their work on productions such as Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station, and many others.

Other School of Animation & VFX highlights include collaborations with other artists individually and in teams; the opportunity to manage a production from start to finish; and FAT (Feature Animation Training) Tuesdays classes. Taught by industry professionals from companies like Pixar and Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), these classes take place every Tuesday evening, and allow students to immerse in the mental processes of creating a character, and explore the emotional aspects of acting to enhance the characters they have created. All degree-seeking students will also complete an internship and create a professional portfolio of their best work. 

The School of Animation & VFX at Academy of Art has five pathways for artists seeking a career in animation. Options include AA, BFA, MA, and MFA degrees in Animation & Visual Effects. A four-year certificate is also available. This is a top choice for students who would like to begin animation coursework on day one. In addition to skipping liberal arts coursework, this 120-unit program allows students to complete an internship, study abroad experience, and a senior portfolio in Animation and VFX.

The Animation & VFX AA at Academy of Art consists of 66 units of study. Areas explored include 3D animation, 3D modeling, 2D animation and stop motion, and storyboarding. Students in this program will also explore VFX through both 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.

Across undergraduate programs, course examples include Cinematics for Animation; History and Technology of VFX and Computer Animation; Traditional Animation 1-3; Motion Quick Sketching; Cinematics for Animation and VFX; Storyboarding Principles; Digital Drawing for Entertainment; Game Engines; 3D Character Animation 1 for Animators, Riggers; Programming and Culture; 3D Realistic Animation; and Physics for Artists: Light, Sound, and Motion.

The Animation & VFX MA at Academy of Art University focuses on storytelling and technical skills. Students in this 36-unit graduate program will work in 2D Animation & Stop Motion, 3D Animation, 3D Modeling, or VFX. Consisting of 63 units of study, the Animation & VFX MFA explores all areas of animation and visual effects from concept to post-production. Across programs, students will take courses such as Traditional Animation; 3D Modeling and Animation 1 (Maya); Feature Animation; Perspective for Characters and Environment; Advanced Character Animation; and 3D Animation Studio.

The MA program culminates with the Final Portfolio for Animators. During this three-unit course, students will gain communication, collaboration, networking, marketing, and workplace pipeline skills while polishing their final portfolios. The culminating experiences for the MFA include the Directed Study, Final Portfolio Preparation for Animators, and Animation: Thesis Completion courses.

Graduates of the School of Animation & VFX at Academy of Art University are prepared to pursue positions in all areas of animation, and at all levels. Graduates have gone on to establish careers at major companies and studios such as Pixar, Paramount, Marvel, Sony Pictures Animation, Google, LAIKA Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Wieden + Kennedy, DNEG, Riot Games, Weta Digital, 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 provides more than 129-degree programs across 40+ areas of study. Programs lead to the AA, BA, BFA, BS, B. Arch, MAT, MA, MFA, and M. Arch degrees. Academy of Art University is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

10. New York University, New York, New York (Top 15% of colleges considered)
New York University

New York University (NYU) is home to Tisch School of the Arts (Tisch). Founded in 1965, Tisch serves more than 4,000 students from 46 states and 58 countries. Programs at Tisch are provided at all degree levels through the Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film & Television; the Institute of Emerging Media; and the Institute of Performing Arts. 

Producing more than 5,000 films per year, Kanbar houses the Department of Animation and Digital Arts—home to the Film and Television BFA. Within the BFA program is an Animation Area. Launched in 1980 with just five classes and 80 students, the Animation Area was the first program to bring digital technology to Kanbar. Today, the Animation Area provides nearly twenty different courses to more than 500 students from nearly every state and dozens of countries. 

The Animation Area at NYU Tisch provides instruction in 2D, 3D, and Traditional Animation. The program begins with animation fundamentals and progresses to intermediate animation, then advanced. Course examples include Experimental Animation; Drawing and Design for Animation; Stop Motion Animation; Visual Effects for Compositing; Special Topics in 3D Animation; Advanced Animation Production; Action Analysis I-II; Writing for Animation; and Animation: From Pitching to Pipeline to Production.

In addition to providing in-demand courses and access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, the Animation Area at NYU Tisch features guest speakers such as Jeffrey Katzenberg, David Polonski, and Chris Butler, along with access to numerous study abroad and internship opportunities. 

Graduates of the Animation Area at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts are prepared to pursue positions at studios across the U.S. and abroad. Some program alumni go on to launch their own studios and freelance businesses. Others have been hired at major studios such as Pixar, DreamWorks, and Walt Disney Animation.

New York University is the largest private university in the U.S. Founded in 1831, the school serves more than 55,000 students across degree-granting campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai. NYU also operates 12 global academic centers and research programs in more than 25 countries. With more than 19,000 employees, New York University is also one of the largest employers in New York City. These professionals help administer an estimated 400+ programs. NYU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

11. Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah (Top 15% of colleges considered)
Brigham Young University

Brigham Young University (BYU) is home to the BYU Center for Animation. Established in 2010, this hands-on, closed-enrollment program accepts just 20-25 students per year. Managed by the Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology, the College of Fine Arts and Communications, and the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, the Center is open to artists from the BYU Animation BFA program and the Computer Science BS with an Animation and Games Emphasis. BYU Center for Animation students may choose to focus in anything from 2D animation to special effects.

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 also have the opportunity to complete an internship, study abroad experience, and develop a portfolio of their best work.

Housed in the College of Fine Arts and Communications-Department of Design, the Animation BFA is a 62.5-64.5 credit hour limited enrollment program that accepts just 75 students per enrollment period. The program explores animation, film production, storyboarding, special effects, video game production, illustration, screenwriting, and more. Course examples include Visual Narrative; Scripting for Animation; Experimental Animation and Production; Technical Animation; Visual Development and Character Design; Directed Studies in Animation; 3D Visual Effects; and Animated Film Production 1-3. The Animation BFA program at BYU culminates with the BFA Final Project.

Housed in the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences-Department of Computer Science, the Computer Science: Animation and Games BS is 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.

Course examples for the program include Computer Graphics; History of Animation; Previsualization; Scripting for Animation; 3D Effects; Digital Sculpting; Photography for Animation; Lighting for 3D; Introduction to Game Design; Real Time Techniques; 3D Graphics (introduction); and Advanced Shading. The culminating experience for the BYU Animation and Games BS is the Senior Film or Senior Game completed across two or more production courses.

Graduates of the Animation and Animation and Games programs at Brigham Young University are prepared for careers in all areas of animation or game design and development. Sample job titles include Animator, Animation Tool Developer, Concept Artist, Lead Animator, Multimedia Programmer, Animation Director, Game Developer, Animation Producer, Game Designer, Animation Technical Director (TD), Art Director, Animation Production Coordinator, and Effects Technical Director (FX TD).

BYU Animation alumni have been hired at major studios such as Pixar, Blizzard, DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Nickelodeon, Riot Games, Disney, Sony, and Digital Domain.

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 from 105 countries, BYU is the one of the largest private universities in the U.S. The school provides approximately 435 programs across more than a dozen colleges and departments. Campuses include BYU-Utah, BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, BYU Pathway Worldwide, and Ensign College.

Brigham Young University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

12. ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, California (Top 15% of colleges considered)
ArtCenter College of Design

ArtCenter College of Design (ArtCenter) is the first design school to receive the United Nations’ Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status. ArtCenter is also a major employer of top talent from Disney, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Sony, Universal, Netflix, Insomniac Games, Warner Bros., Blizzard, Marvel, Fox Pictures, LAIKA, Blur Studio, Tencent, Marvel, Riot Games, and Aardman Animations.

For students seeking a degree in animation or games, ArtCenter College of Design has an Entertainment Design BS with three tracks: Animation, Concept, and Game Design. Across all tracks, students will learn how to create animated films from concept to finished product. Throughout the program, students will have the opportunity to work in teams on these projects—in a real-world studio environment. Well over one hour of animation is produced in the Entertainment BS program each year, with many shorts going on to play at festivals across the globe.

The Entertainment BS program at ArtCenter College of Design also highlights collaborations with Illustration, Concept Design, and Game Design students. Whether working in teams or collaborations across majors, Entertainment BS students will develop advanced skills utilizing the latest industry tools.

The ArtCenter Animation track explores lighting, character animation, modeling, storyboarding, and art direction. Course examples for the program include Art of Research; 2D Fundamentals; 2D Mechanics; Concept Art; Shorts; Design History of Comic Animation; CG Mechanics; Performance as Art; Storyboard; Science & Technology; and Entertainment Design Industry.

All Entertainment BS students will also complete several business courses. Examples include Business 101; Entrepreneurship; Professional Practices; and Business & Professional Practice. In 7th and 8th terms of the program, students will complete Capstone Production 1-3 and Portfolio 1-2. The Entertainment Design BS culminates with the Graduate Show.

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

ArtCenter College of Design serves approximately 2,425 students from more than 50 countries. Founded in 1930, the school has campuses in Pasadena and Los Angeles, California, along with satellite studios in Petersen Automotive Museum (Miracle Mile, Los Angeles) and Berlin, Germany. ArtCenter provides 11 undergraduate programs; 10 graduate degree programs leading to an MFA or MS; a joint MS/MBA program; and undergraduate minors for Business, Creative Writing, and Social Innovation students.

ArtCenter College of Design is fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

13. Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida (Top 15% of colleges considered)
Full Sail University

Full Sail University (Full Sail) sits on a 212-acre campus that houses more than 110 state-of-the-art studios, collaborative production environments, a large Hollywood-style back lot, professional-level recording and game studios, and live venues that host concerts, festivals, and other events. 

Full Sail focuses on project-based training, which allows students across majors to gain valuable real-world experience—all before graduation. Full Sail students also have access to the Project LaunchBox, which provides software and tools to create projects. LaunchBox also houses student coursework and files, which can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

For students seeking an animation degree, Full Sail University has a Computer Animation program with both online and on-campus tracks. Leading to a BS, the online track takes 29 months to complete. The campus track takes just 20 months to complete. Students in both programs will learn how to navigate the same production pipelines used in today’s major studios.

Course examples for the program include 3D Animation; Technology in the Entertainment and Media Industries; Technical Animation; Compositing and Scene Finishing; Motion Capture; Animation Production; Model Creation; Psychology of Play; Creative Presentation; and Industry Production.

All Full Sail animation students are required to take two professional development seminar courses and seven project and portfolio courses covering 3D arts and computer animation. Additional professional development courses provide the opportunity for students to explore the computer animation industry, while learning to build their personal brand. Industry guest speakers enhance professional development courses.

In addition to hands-on project learning, the project and portfolio courses for the BS program emphasize independent study and portfolio development. A Career Readiness course, completed in the final month of the program, allows students to create a strategy for engaging with potential employers. Throughout the course, students will create their targeted résumés, cover letters, and professional portfolios. This course provides students with the tools needed to apply their research and newly acquired skills toward their employment goals.

Full Sail University graduates are prepared to pursue positions across industries such as animation, film, and television (entertainment); game design and development; advertising and marketing; architecture; science and medicine; data visualization; and forensic animation. 

In the entertainment industry, program alumni have been credited on more than 45 Grammy-nominated projects; on 2022 blockbusters such as Pixar’s Lightyear, Jurassic World: Dominion, and Minions: The Rise of Gru; and other productions and series such Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ms. Marvel, and Stranger Things 4.

Full Sail University opened in 1979 in Dayton, Ohio. Today, the school is located just 35 minutes from downtown Orlando and Universal Studios. Serving approximately 21,000 students, Full Sail provides graduate certificates and degree programs at all levels in the Arts, Entertainment, Media, and Technology. Full Sail University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

14. DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois (Top 15% of colleges considered)
DePaul University

Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM) at DePaul University (DePaul) houses three schools including Cinematic Arts, Computing, and Design. Across schools, students have access to more than 65 degree programs and minors.

Within the School of Cinematic Arts is an Animation program that features courses taught by award-winning filmmakers who are part of one of the largest full-time animation faculties in the nation; access to a state-of-the-art, 32,000 square foot production facility known as DePaul Cinespace Studios; and the new Jarvis Student Center for Innovation and Collaboration. This 8,000 square-foot open space focuses on industry partnerships and multidisciplinary professional learning across emerging technologies. Collaborations and projects between students and faculty emphasize innovation and community needs.

Cinespace and other CDM/SCA studios and facilities provide access to latest industry animation software, tools, and technologies. This includes Cintiq labs, professional animation and effects software, 3D printing, stop motion stages and fabrication studios, sound studios, 3D motion capture, and motion control.

The Animation program at DePaul University has seven degree options including the Animation BA, BFA, MA, MFA, BA/MA, and BFA/MA, and the Computer Science (CS) + Animation (CS+ANI) BS with an Animation Technical Director (TD) concentration. An Animation TD Minor is also available.

The Animation BFA has concentrations in 3D Animation, Visual Effects Animation, Motion Graphics, Storyboarding and Character Design, Cinema, and Game Art. While the Animation BA does not offer a concentration, students in this program may enhance the degree in focused areas through major and open electives. Examples of major electives include Digital Puppet Animation; Visual Effects; Screenwriting for Majors; Hybrid Animation; Stop Motion Animation; and Sound Design for Animation.

BA students may choose open electives from more than 20 Jarvis College minors. Minor examples include Experimental Filmmaking; Graphic Design; Comedy Filmmaking; User Experience Design; Television Production; Information Technology; Film Production; Visual Effects; and Designing for Physical Technology.

The Animation MA at DePaul University allows students to concentrate in 3D Animation, Traditional Animation, Storyboarding and Character Design, Motion Graphics, or Technical Artist. Course examples for the program include 3D Animation Production; Animation Figure Study; Advanced Topics in Visual Effects; Topics in 3D Animation; and Game Art Pipeline.

The Animation MFA follows the project model. Students will spend their time creating a single project with the assistance of an MFA co-chair and MFA faculty mentors. The program is designed for animators who have earned an undergraduate degree in the visual arts. Examples include Animation, Art, Illustration, Graphic Design, and Film.

The multidisciplinary CS+ANI is designed for students seeking technical artistic roles in animation and game development. In addition to the concentration in Animation TD, the program has a concentration in Game Art TD. Course examples for the program Concepts of Programming Languages; 3D Animation; Optimized C++; Motion Graphics Foundations; Advanced 3D Rigging; 3D Design and Modeling; Animation Production; and Game Art Pipeline.

CS+ANI students also benefit from interdisciplinary collaborative group project experiences with teams of students majoring in areas such as 3D animation, game art, storyboarding and character design, game programming, and game design.

All DePaul Animation students have the unique opportunity to participate in the Los Angeles Quarter Program. This 10-week immersive experience allows students to intern at major Hollywood studios such Disney, DreamWorks Animation, Sony Studios, Nickelodeon, The Jim Henson Company, Titmouse, and Warner Bros. Animation.

Other program benefits include the visiting artist series, where past guests have included artists from Disney and Pixar; access to the Animation Lodge; and participation in Project Bluelight. Students at The Lodge collaborate on group projects, network, and build their portfolios. Project Bluelight provides hands-on experience in motion picture production to all interested students.

Graduates of the Animation programs at DePaul University are prepared to pursue careers in all industries that require animation and game design and development skills. Program alumni have been hired by major studios and gaming companies such as DreamWorks Animation, Electronic Arts (EA), Warner Bros. Animation, Google, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Blizzard Entertainment, Disney Animation Studios, Iron Galaxy Studios, BioWare, and LAIKA Studios.

Serving approximately 20,920 students, DePaul University is the largest Catholic university in the United States. Founded in 1898, the school is also the nation’s 12th-largest private, not-for-profit university, and the largest private, not-for-profit college in the Midwest. DePaul provides more than 300 undergraduate majors and graduate programs across two campuses, and 10 academic colleges and schools. DePaul University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

15. Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York (Top 20% of colleges considered)
Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is home to the College of Art and Design, which houses the School of Film and Animation. A designated Center of Excellence (COE) by Toon Boon Animation, the School provides many opportunities for students to gain hands on experience and network—all before graduation.

For starters, RIT School of Film and Animation students 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 houses the fourth-oldest and one of the largest cooperative (co-op) education programs in the world. All RIT programs provide co-op education opportunities as well as internships and other experiential learning experiences. 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.

The School of Film and Animation at RIT also houses the Animation Program. Several degree options are available. At the undergraduate level, the school has a stand-alone Film and Animation BFA that focuses on production, screenwriting, 2D and 3D animation, and stop motion animation; a BFA in Film and Animation with an Animation or Production Option; and a Motion Picture BS that combines engineering and the arts with animation production, feature film, and television.

At the graduate level, RIT’s School of Film and Animation has a Film and Animation MFA with four options including 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Production, and Screenwriting. Students in this program have 24/7 access to a dedicated graduate lab with industry-level software; and opportunities to gain career experience as a faculty research assistant, graduate assistant, or other position.

Across all School of Film and Animation programs students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment such as MAGIC Spell Studios; Stop Motion Studios; Animation 2D and 3D Labs; Soundstages; Animation and Drawing Studios; Virtual Reality Labs; Editing Suites; a Mixdown Room; Post-Production Labs; SOFA Cage; and the Pro Tools Editing Suite.

All programs (graduate and undergraduate) culminate with a finished film completed across several Capstone or Thesis courses. Students will then take part in a public screening of their finished work.

Graduates of Rochester Institute of Technology enjoy an impressive 92% employment rate. School of Film and Animation alumni are prepared to pursue careers across the creative, technical, medical, architecture, and legal industries. Examples of companies and studios that have hired RIT Animation graduates include Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney Animation Studios, Lucasfilm, Electronic Arts (EA), Dolby, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, and Sony.

Rochester Institute of Technology was founded in 1829 as the Rochester Athenaeum. With global campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo, this research university serves more than 20,000 students, making it one of the largest private universities in the U.S. RIT provides 200+ academic programs across 10 colleges and institutes, and the School of Individualized Study. Rochester Institute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

16. Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Top 20% of colleges considered)
Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University’s (CMU) is home to the Integrative Design, Arts and Technology Network (IDeATe). In collaboration with Robotics Institute (est. 1979) in the School of Computer Sciences, the IDeATe network manages 10 undergraduate minors, including Animation & Special Effects.

Consisting of a minimum of 27 units, the Animation & Special Effects minor allows students to gain experience in areas such as digital 2D and 3D animation techniques; visual effects and procedural animation; real-time animation systems; expanded and experimental animation methods; and storytelling through animation. Project-based courses for the program are led by faculty with expertise in Art and Robotics.

Course examples include Technical Character Animation; Topics in Animation: Story Development; Advanced ETB: Animation Studio; IDeATe Special Topics in Animation: Bipedal Rigging for Animation Production; and Introduction to 3D Animation Pipeline.

The IDeATe Animation & Special Effects courses are open to all students. This provides opportunities for animation minors to collaborate with students from game design, film, digital media, and more.

For students seeking a four-year undergraduate degree, the College of Fine Art (CFA) at Carnegie Mellon University has an interdisciplinary BFA in Electronic & Time-Based Media (BFA ETB) that explores areas such as animation, computational and interactive arts, game arts, and video and performance. Students in this program will take advanced courses such as Animation, Art, and Technology; Experimental Game Design; Digital Storytelling and Resistance; and Digital Storytelling and Resistance.

Graduates of the ETB and Animation & Special Effects programs at Carnegie Mellon University are prepared to pursue positions at major studios, networks, and gaming companies. Program alumni have been hired at places such as DreamWorks Animation, Electronic Arts (EA), MTV, Paramount, Blizzard Entertainment, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Walt Disney Studios, Warner Interactive, Zynga Games, and Comedy Central.

Founded on November 15, 1900 by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, Carnegie Mellon University opened its doors as Carnegie Technical Schools. Today, this private global research university provides more than 200 programs to approximately 16,780 students from 126 countries. In addition to the main campus in Pennsylvania, CMU has campuses in California's Silicon Valley and Doha, Qatar. Housed across seven colleges and schools, Carnegie’s academic programs are also provided in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Mexico, and Portugal. Carnegie Mellon University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

17. School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (Top 20% of colleges considered)
School of the Art Institute of Chicago

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is home to the Film, Video, New Media, and Animation Department (FVNMA), which has two paths to study animation. The BFA in Studio explores animation (experimental 2D and 3D), new media art, cinema, and video. The MFA in Studio supports creative work across 12 different departments. Students in this graduate program have the opportunity to specialize in one specific area or acquire skills across multiple areas of study.

Open to both graduate and undergraduate students, concentration areas may include Hand-Drawn and Digital 2D and 3D Animation; Moving-Image Installation; Nonfiction/Documentary and Narrative Film and Video; Media Art Histories; Interactive Art; VR/AR; and Web-Based Projects. FVNMA students also have access to courses such as Puppet Animation; Motion Graphics and Visual Effects; 3D Character Animation; Intermediate Animation: Experimental Methods; Writing and Art Direction for Animation; Realtime; New Media: Crash Course; Visualization and Storyboarding; Media Practices: The Moving Image; Sonics and Optics; The Digital Dark Age; Video Everywhere; Internet Artware; Advanced Experimental 3D; Handmade Cinema I-II; Graduate Production Studio; and Large Scale Cinematic Production.  

Across programs, students benefit from interactions with visiting artists; access to state-of-the-art film, editing, and production equipment; graduate seminars, screenings, and performances; and unlimited admittance to the Art Institute of Chicago Art Museum (est. 1879) and on-campus galleries. Students also have access SIAC’s Gene Siskel Film Center, which regularly highlights films from around the world, along with student work.

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.

The FVNMA Studio Art BFA culminates with the Senior Film/Video Projects Capstone. During this final course, students will complete a professional quality moving image project for public presentation. The MFA program culminates with a final project. Work will be presented in the SAIC Graduate Thesis Exhibition, the Gene Siskel Film Center, or other end-of-year events at SAIC. Each year more than 200 graduate students present time-based works, performances, and writings to 30,000 people.

Graduates of SAIC’s FVNMA Department are prepared to seek careers in animation, film, games, digital media, and more. As part of SAIC, FVNMA alumni enjoy a 92% employment or graduate school rate.

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago dates back to 1866, when a group of 35 artists founded the Chicago Academy of Design. In the years following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the school was formed as a new association—and both a museum and a school for fine arts known as Chicago Academy of Fine Arts (1879). The Academy became the Art Institute of Chicago in 1882. Today SAIC is one of the nation’s oldest accredited independent schools of art and design.

Serving approximately 3,530 students, SAIC provides more than 50 areas of study across 24 academic departments. The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Since 1948, the school has also been accredited as a charter member by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

18. Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, California (Top 20% of colleges considered)
Otis College of Art and Design

Otis College of Art and Design (OTIS or Otis College) has two paths to study animation: the Animation BFA and the Animation Certificate. The BFA explores animation, character design, 3D modeling, storyboarding, sound, and rendering. In addition to gaining experience in 2D and 3D computer animation, 3D production, and visual development, students will master software such as Houdini, Unreal, Toon Boom, Nuke, Adobe Suite, Maya, ToonBoom, Zbrush, and Cinema 4D.

All OTIS Animation BFA students will complete courses such as Storyboarding and Pre-Viz; Design and Drawing for Animation I-III; Storytelling Fundamentals; Art History of Animation; Advanced Animation; and Creative Action Studio. Key projects include Animation Explorations; Animation Studio Project I & II; and Animation Senior Project I & II. BFA students also have the opportunity to complete a professional internship.

The Animation Certificate Program is provided through the Otis College of Art and Design Extension Center. Consisting of 16 required courses and two elective courses, the Certificate Program explores character creation, story development, visual effects, animated graphics, and creating environments. Course examples include 2D and 3D Animation, Digital Drawing: Illustrator, Digital Tools: Maya, Drawing and Composition, Storyboarding for Film and Animation, Digital Storytelling, and 2D Design.

The Animation Certificate culminates with the Final Portfolio: Digital Media Arts course. Upon completion of this course, students will have a professional-quality portfolio of their best work. The Animation Certificate program at Otis College of Art and Design can be completed in 1.5 to two years.

Graduates of the Animation Programs at OTIS have gone on to secure positions at major studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DreamWorks Animation, Nickelodeon, Disney, and Pixar. OTIS Animation alumni hold positions such as 3D Animator, Animation Designer, Cinematic Animator, Visual Effects Artist, Creative Director, Game Designer, Junior Character Animator, Production Coordinator, Layout Artist, 3D Modeler, Storyboard Artist, 2D/3D CG Artist, Concept Artist, and Previz Artist.

Established in 1918, Otis College of Art and Design is Los Angeles’ oldest professional school of the arts. This private, non-profit college serves more than 1,200 students enrolled in 11 BFA and MFA degree programs in the Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Public Practice, and Writing. A variety of minors and certificate programs are also available. Programs and courses at OTIS are led by more than 430 professors—all active professionals in their respective fields.

Otis College of Art and Design is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). OTIS is also a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) and the Partnership for Academic Leadership on Sustainability (PALS).

19. California College of the Arts, San Francisco and Oakland, California (Top 20% of colleges considered)
California College of the Arts

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, collaborative learning in state-of-the art studios and labs. CCA’s Animation Studios house six labs, a sound booth, and stop motion suites.

The school also houses the Digital Animation Lab, which has a Hybrid Lab for experimental making, a foley room for sound effects and voice-overs, and a sound studio for editing and mixing soundtracks.

Students also have access to a Multi-Purpose Suite and the Open VR Space.

The studios, shops, and labs at California College of the Arts are outfitted with the latest industry equipment and software such as Autodesk software, including Maya and Mudbox; down-shooter cameras for stop-motion animation; Wacom Cintiq displays for digital drawing; Dragonframe, TVPaint Animation, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Toon Boom's Harmony and Storyboard Pro; 27-inch iMac workstations; and drawing light tables.

In CCA classrooms and studios, Animation BFA students learn to create 2D and 3D animation, sound effects, animation for games, and stop-motion animation. Because the program is interdisciplinary, animation students will develop skills in other creative areas from drawing and sculpture to acting and storytelling. The CCA BFA also requires 48 units of Humanities and Sciences coursework. Course examples include Introduction to the Modern Arts; Media History: History of Animation; Foundation in Critical Studies; Writing 1 and 2; Literary and Performing Arts Studies.

Courses for the CCA BFA are led by working professionals in the entertainment industry. CCA faculty work at major studios such as DreamWorks, Pixar, and Tippett Studio. Course examples include Animation 1 and 2; Visual Storytelling; Animation Tutorials; Sound for Animation; Acting for Animation; Drawing for Animation; and 3D Computer Animation 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 at California College of the Arts, graduates will have a portfolio of their best work. CCA Animation alumni have gone on to launch their own studios, start a freelance career, or establish themselves at major studios and gaming companies. Examples include Cartoon Network, Pixar, DreamWorks Animation, Electronic Arts (EA), Walt Disney Animation Studios, Sony Pictures Animation, Nickelodeon Animation, Phosphor Games, Bento Box Entertainment, and many others.

Established in 1907 as the School of the California Guild of Arts and Crafts, California College of the Arts had just three teachers and 43 students when it opened. Today, CCA employs 420 faculty members that serve approximately 1,500 students enrolled in more than 40 undergraduate, graduate, minor, and dual degree options. California College of the Arts is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), and the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

20. DigiPen Institute of Technology, Redmond, Washington (Top 25% of colleges considered)
DigiPen Institute of Technology

DigiPen Institute of Technology (DigiPen) is the first school in the world to offer a bachelor’s degree in video game programming. The school is also a Certified Partner of SideFX—developers of the procedural 3D art software, Houdini. This tool is preferred by major studios that produce films, games, and projects for television.

DigiPen provides intensive programs for artists seeking a degree in art, design, technology, and engineering. Across programs, students benefit from technology-focused curriculums; interdisciplinary team-based projects that last anywhere from a semester to a year; courses taught by instructors who have worked on projects for Walt Disney Animation Studio and LucasArts; and the opportunity to study abroad at a DigiPen campus in Singapore or Spain.

For animators, DigiPen has two program options: the Digital Art and Animation BFA, and the Digital Arts MFA. The BFA program is designed for artists looking to enhance their skills. Competitive and challenging, the program covers animation, 2D and 3D digital art, traditional media, and production pipelines. Course examples for this 126 credit hour program include Animation I-III; Introduction to Scripting and Programming; 3D Digital Art Pipeline; Visual Development for Production; Film History; Storytelling; Game History; and Cinematic Project I-III.

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

The Digital Arts MFA program at DigiPen Institute of Technology provides advanced training in 2D and 3D digital art production. Students in this 60 credit hour program will already have formal training in animation, 3D modeling, digital painting, figure drawing, color theory, drawing, and composition sculpture.

Course examples for the program include 3D Concepts and Production; Organic and Hard Surface Modeling; Digital Arts Survey and Analysis; Conceptual Design and Illustration; Art Research Methodology; Character Design; and Art Production Process. Free electives and independent study provide opportunities for students to customize their pathway.

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

Graduates of the Digital Art and Animation BFA, and the Digital Arts MFA programs at DigiPen are prepared for advancement opportunities in their current careers or to pursue positions in their chosen area. 

Since its inception in 1988, DigiPen Institute of Technology has produced hundreds of accomplished animators, filmmakers, game designers, and other artists who have earned more than 300 awards and festival selections. DigiPen students and graduates have also won 230 awards for game projects and academic papers. And, to date, DigiPen graduates have helped develop more than 2,000 commercial game titles.

More than 1,250 companies worldwide have hired DigiPen graduates. Examples include Walt Disney Imagineering, Riot Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Warner Bros. Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Microsoft, Zynga, DreamWorks Interactive, Sony, ArenaNet, Google, Apple, Meta, Amazon Games, and Nintendo.

Established in 1988 as a Vancouver, British Columbia-based computer simulation and animation company, DigiPen Institute of Technology serves 1,200 students enrolled in 10 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Computer Science, Digital Art and Animation, Engineering, Game Design and Development, and Music and Audio. In addition to the Redmond, Washington campus, DigiPen has international campuses in Singapore and Spain.

The school also has 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).

21. Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (Top 25% of colleges considered)
Columbia College Chicago

The School of Media Arts at Columbia College Chicago (Columbia) houses the Interactive Arts and Media (IAM) Department. Within the Department is an Animation program that provides access to the latest industry-standard technology, equipment, and tools. Examples include Cintiq Labs, Stop-Motion Labs, the Animation Equipment Center, and Traditional Animation Camera Labs. Animation Instructional Spaces for stop-motion and traditional animation projects include state-of-the-art classrooms and workshops.

The Animation program at Columbia College Chicago has several undergraduate degree options. These include the Animation BA, a BFA in Traditional Animation, and a Computer Animation BFA. The BA is ideal for students who would like to explore computer, experimental, hand-drawn, and stop-motion animation techniques. The BFA is ideal for students who would like to specialize in a specific area of animation and complete two films before graduating.

An Animation minor is also available for students seeking a shorter program that can be taken alone or with another major. The minor, which explores object, stop-motion, and hand-drawn animation, provides the opportunity to master industry-standard editing and storyboarding software. This software will be used to create a story reel for the final project.

All IAM Animation programs provide the opportunity to begin animating in the very first year.

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

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 Disney, DreamWorks, Warner Bros., Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network.

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 professional demo reels.

Graduates of the Animation Programs at Columbia College Chicago have gone on to win Oscars and Emmy Awards. 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. Others have launched their own studios and freelance businesses.

Columbia College graduates have also been hired at major networks and studios such as Pixar, DreamWorks, Cartoon Network, Weta Digital, Disney, Nickelodeon, and Warner Bros. Animation.

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 provides a number of business management programs. Columbia College Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

22. Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, Ohio (Top 25% of colleges considered)
Columbus College of Art & Design

The Animation program at Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) is recognized as a Center of Excellence by Toon Boom. Established in 1987, the program has BFA, minor, and concentration options. All provide unlimited access to CCAD’s Cloyd Family Animation Center, which houses state-of-the-art labs such as stop-motion, virtual reality drawing, computer, and teaching. The Center also houses flex spaces, a student lounge, and the Animation Student Collective.

CCAD Animation BFA students may add a concentration or one of 20 minors to the program. Just a few concentrations include Animation/Experimental; Animation/Game Design; Illustration/Entertainment;  Design/Drawing; Illustration/Illustrative Design; and Design/Modeling. Concentrations require nine hours of credit hours of coursework.

Minors that complement the program include Animation 2D or 3D; Illustration; Comics & Narrative Practice; Fine Art; Film & Video; Creative Writing; Advertising & Graphic Design; and Photography. Minors require 15 credit hours.

Film and Video BFA students who would like to study animation, live action, and visual effects (VFX) can add a concentration or minor in animation. 

Consisting of 120 total credit hours of study, the CCAD Animation BFA is divided into 60 credit hours of program requirements, 40 in core liberal arts, and 18 in core studio. Course examples include 3D Animation Modeling & Surfacing; Café Sketch; Visual Literacy; Visual & Narrative Storyboard; 3D Character Animation Simulation; Writing & the Arts; Animation Lab Pipeline; Historical Art & Design; and Animation Lab Production.

Some graduates of the Animation BFA program at Columbus College of Art & Design go on to pursue graduate study. For graduates who would like to pursue an MFA at CCAD, the Amelita Mirolo MFA in Visual Arts program is an ideal choice. This 60-credit hour terminal degree program operates within a 13,700-square-foot graduate facility that houses individual private studios for MFA students, a lounge, exhibition space, and faculty offices.

In the facility, students may work on individual projects and the thesis in any area of interest. Examples include animation, interactive design, illustration, film, game art, and television. Students may focus in any of these areas through six hours of required art and design electives or even through CCAD’s many minor and concentration options.

Other CCAD MFA highlights include small class sizes (the program accepts just nine to 15 students per year); the visiting artist series, which welcomes designers and guest artists who teach workshops and seminars, present lectures, and mentor students; and internship opportunities with nonprofits and businesses located in places such as Chicago, New York, Seattle, Oregon, Ireland, and Honduras.

Graduates of the Animation and Visual Arts Programs at Columbus College of Art & Design work in a variety of fields in positions such as Character Animator, Motion Designer, Television Animator, Storyboard Artist, VFX Animator, Game Artist, and Architectural Visualization Producer.

Recent employers include Sony Pictures Animation, Electronic Arts (EA), Cartoon Network, Pixar, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks Animation, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Riot Games, LAIKA Studios, and Phosphor Games, and Stoopid Buddy Stoodios.

Columbus College of Art & Design was established in 1879 by five women. The school serves approximately 1,010 undergraduate and graduate students from 36 states and 14 countries. CCAD provides 11 undergraduate majors, 18 minors, and three graduate programs across 10+ departments. Columbus College of Art & Design is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). CCAD is also affiliated with the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD).

23. Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Maryland (Top 25% of colleges considered)
Maryland Institute College of Art

Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) requires all undergraduate students to complete the school’s innovative First Year Experience (FYE). During this exploratory year, students will study contemporary art and design practice; collaborate; and participate in constructive critiques. The rigorous FYE curriculum also highlights skill-building, technology, and 2D, 3D, and 4D media. Upon completion of the MICA FYE, students will move on to their chosen major.

Students who choose the Animation major will be admitted to the Animation Department at MICA. Leading to a BFA, the Animation program requires 24 credit hours of study in the major. Course examples include Otherworldly; Stop-Motion Puppet Rubbish; Astro-Animation; Animation Digital Fabrication; Animation in Unique Spaces; Advanced 3D Open Studio; Experimental Animation; 3D Computer Animation; Storyboarding for Animation; Digital tools for Animation; and Character Conflict Performance; Special Topics in Animation; and Professional Practice for Animators.

BFA students will also complete several projects, plus the Animation Senior Thesis I and II courses. The Senior Thesis is a year-long capstone that culminates in a final film, installation, or interactive media project. Final projects are presented at the MICA Grad Show.

For students in a different major who would also like to study animation, Maryland Institute College of Art has an Animation (studio) minor. This 18 credit hour program requires Introduction to 2D Animation, and Electronic Media and Culture. For the remaining courses, students must select options from animation and studio electives.

Maryland Institute College of Art graduates are prepared for creative careers in a wide range of industries. MICA alumni are Google Animators, Mobile App Developers, Comic Artists, Filmmakers, and more. They have been hired at major studios such as MTV, DreamWorks, Disney, and LAIKA Studios. Many MICA graduates go on to pursue graduate study, launch their own studios, or establish a freelance business.

Founded in 1826, Maryland Institute College of Art is the nation’s oldest independent, continuously degree-granting college of art and design. The school serves nearly 3,500 students from 49 states and 52 countries. Programs at MICA lead to a BFA, MA, MFA, MBA, MPS degree, or post-baccalaureate certificate. Maryland Institute College of Art is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

24. Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Top 25% of colleges considered)
Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) provides several paths to study animation. At the undergraduate level, MCAD has a 15 credit hour Animation minor, and a collaborative Animation BFA with 2D and 3D tracks. At the graduate level, MCAD has an interdisciplinary and experimental MFA that allows students to focus in one or more areas of interest. Examples include animation, illustration, experimental film and video, comic arts, drawing and painting, and web and multimedia.

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

For the Animation BFA, both the 2D and 3D tracks require 12 credit hours of study. Students in this 120 credit hour program may customize an additional focus area (or areas) through 26 credits of required studio electives. Course examples for the program include Background Layout for Animators; 2D Digital Animation; Character Animation; 3D Modeling; Virtual Environments; Experimental Animation; and Professional Practice Animation. The Animation BFA program culminates with the final Senior Project.

The Minneapolis College of Art and Design MFA program provides the opportunity for students to work one-on-one with a mentor to set goals each semester. Students in this program will work both collaboratively and independently in state-of-the art facilities, classrooms, and private studios in their chosen focus areas. With the help of mentors, students will have the opportunity to choose one or more areas of specialization.

Other program benefits include opportunities to participate in events at art centers, galleries, and nonprofits in the Twin Cities; participation in the Master’s Trip to NYC, which features visits to art and design venues, creative agencies, and artist studios; and the option to complete a three-credit Teaching Art and Design Online Certificate (which counts towards electives). This allows MFA students to graduate with a terminal degree and a focused certificate.

Students in both the MFA and Animation BFA programs also have the opportunity to complete an internship and/or study abroad in places such as Japan, Italy, Germany, and the UK. Across programs, students have completed internships at places such as Nickelodeon, MTV, Massachusetts Museum of Art, and Walker Art Center.

The MCAD MFA program culminates with the Thesis Exhibition. This program requires 60 credit hours to graduate.

Graduates of the Animation BFA and MFA programs at Minneapolis College of Art and Design are prepared for a variety of positions and leadership roles in art, entertainment, and design. Potential job titles include Background Animator, 3D Modeler/Animator, Editorial Illustrator, Stop-Motion Animator, Film Editor, Pixel Artist, Special Effects Animator, Graphic Designer, Storyboard Artist, Character Developer, Inker/Opaquer/Checker, Director, Producer, Writer, Project Manager, and Arts Educator.

Minneapolis College of Art and Design was established in 1886 by the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts. The school serves approximately 800 students from 40 states and 13 countries. Programs include 14 undergraduate majors leading to a BFA or BS, three MA degrees, one MFA degree, and seven 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).

25. The New School's Parsons School of Design, New York, New York (Top 30% of colleges considered)

In the 20th century, The New School became famous for housing courses in the creative arts taught by artists such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Martha Graham, W. H. Auden. In 1926, The New School was also the first American university to teach the history of film, and one of the first to offer college-level courses in photography and jazz. Today, The New School is the only university to house a design school, liberal arts college, performing arts college, and graduate programs and colleges under one roof.

Serving 5,755 students, design is the largest college at The New School. Known as Parsons School of Design, the school also houses a Design and Technology program that has both BFA and MFA pathways.

The STEM-designated BFA program focuses on interaction, storytelling, and emerging art and design practices. Specializations include Creative Technology and Game Design. Course examples for this the 120 credit hour program include Drawing/Imaging; Space/Materiality; Integrative Studio; Time’ Design Studies; Core Studio Environments; Objects as History; and Integrative Studio.

All New School undergraduates must also complete the first-year experience. Consisting of 30 credits, the experience includes seminars and studios; liberal arts studies; and the exploration of 2D and 3D processes, drawing, digital design, and more. The Design and Technology BFA culminates with a thesis project, completed across two courses worth a total of 12 credits.

The Design and Technology MFA at Parsons School of Design is a STEM-designated, studio-based degree that requires on-campus study. Consisting of 60 credit hours, the MFA features courses and studios such as xFab Lecture and Lab; Major Studio; Creative Practice Seminar; and Collaboration Studio. Other program features include opportunities to work on projects with external partners such as One Plus and The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met); and creative collaborations with students in other programs such as Transdisciplinary Design, Data Visualization, and Communication Design.

Both MFA and BFA students also have the opportunity to participate in the Parsons internship program and projects with external partners. Recent partners include Google, MIT, Panasonic, IBM, The New York Times, SXSW, Nokia, Intel, Samsung, and NYC Media Lab.

The Design and Technology MFA program at Parsons School of Design culminates with the Thesis Studio, completed across two courses and 12 credit hours. 

The School of Continuing & Professional Education at The New School Parsons has an additional option for animators seeking a shorter program. Leading to a certificate, the Motion Design and Animation program consists of three courses that explore the production process from start to finish. Courses can be completed in one year, and include Storytelling with Motion Graphics and Animation; Motion Design 1 with After Effects; and Moton Design 2 with After Effects.

The Motion Design and Animation certificate is delivered entirely delivered online, and it can be taken alone or in combination with the Design and Technology BFA and MFA programs.

Students in all New School programs have the opportunity to interact with and work on projects with professionals at places such as Apple, Siemens, Nickelodeon, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, gameLab, MTV, Rockwell Interaction Lab, Atari, UNESCO, OnePlus Technology, and Eyebeam Art & Technology Center.

Graduates of the BFA, MFA, and certificate programs at Parsons School of Design are prepared to pursue positions in areas such as animation, 2D and 3D animation, game design, advertising, VR/AR, motion graphics, immersion experience design, digital filmmaking, graphic arts, interaction design, television production, mobile and application design, web design, software design, and media art.

The New School was founded in 1919 as the New School for Social Research. Serving approximately 10,815 students, the school provides more than 120 degree and diploma programs across six colleges and schools, including Parsons Paris. The New School is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

26. Laguna College of Art and Design, Laguna Beach, California (Top 30% of colleges considered)
Laguna College of Art and Design

The Animation program at Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) has the largest enrollment of any other program at the school. Students in this area have opportunities to work with and learn from industry partners such as Disney, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Pixar, Sony, and Industrial Light & Magic (ILM). In addition, students have two program options—Animation and Experimental Animation. Both programs lead to a BFA.

An Animation minor be added to any LCAD program. However, this program is an ideal option for students Game Art, Entertainment Design, and Illustration majors. The Animation minor explores principles of both traditional and CG animation. Courses for the program include Animation 1 and 2; Character Design for Animators 1; Storyboarding 1; and CG Animation 1. 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. Required liberal arts courses include Art History: Modern Movements; Professional Studies for Animators; and the Senior Capstone and Thesis Defense. Students will select other liberal arts courses from titles such as Project Green: Oceans; The Psychology of Space and Settings; Exhibition Design; and Exiles in LA: Art, Architecture, Film of Wartime Émigrés. 

Studio courses include Visual Development; Animal Drawing; Background Painting; Animation Practicum; and Thesis Film 1, 2 and 3. Students in the LCAD Animation BFA program will complete a total of 122 credit hours to graduate. Program alumni can pursue a variety of roles in the entertainment industry. Examples include animating, directing, editing, cinematography, screenwriting, and sound design. 

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 hands-on projects. In addition, BFA students have the opportunity to specialize in Storyboarding, Show Design, and/or Internet Series Projects.

Course examples for the Experimental Animation BFA program include Storyboarding for Limited Animation; Fundamentals of Maya; 2D Paperless Animation; Experimental Stop Motion Techniques; Animation for New Media; Art Direction for TV and New Media; Original Series Development; Acting for Animators; Compositing for Animators; and Directing for Limited and Experimental Animation. This 122 credit hour program culminates with the Senior Capstone and Thesis Defense course.

Graduates of the LCAD Experimental Animation BFA program are prepared to pursue careers in areas such as stop motion animation; 3D modeling and animation; character design & storyboarding for limited animation; 2D digital puppetry; 2D paperless animation; show and series design; and new media authorship.

All LCAD Animation students 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 Animation programs at Laguna College of Art and Design are routinely hired by major animation, film, television, and game studios. Examples include Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Cartoon Network, DreamWorks, Warner Brothers Feature Animation, Disney, South Park Studios, Nickelodeon, Obsidian Entertainment, Pixar, The Jim Henson Company, Sony, Titmouse, LAIKA, and Fox.

Laguna College of Art and Design opened in 1961 as Laguna Beach School of Art (LBSA). The school has a main campus in Laguna Beach and 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 with access to 15 degree options and nine minors. LCAD is regionally and nationally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

27. College for Creative Studies, Detroit, Michigan (Top 30% of colleges considered)
College for Creative Studies

Entertainment Arts at the College for Creative Studies (CCS) consists of Animation, Game Design, Digital Film, and Concept Design pathways. All options are STEM-Designated and taught by Hollywood insiders, using the latest equipment and software. A Toon Boom Center for Excellence, Entertainment Arts at CCS houses state-of-the-art PC and MAC equipment, editing suites, gaming labs, and full VR capabilities with Vive goggles and sensors.

In addition to declaring a major, all College for Creative Studies undergraduate students will choose from seven liberal arts minors or 20 studio minors. Required credits include 42 to 43 in liberal arts and 84 in studio. Students are also encouraged to take classes outside of their major, to enhance their skill set. Like all CCS departments, Entertainment Arts emphasizes technical skill, aesthetic and conceptual ability, and practical experience.

The Entertainment Arts program with a concentration in Animation requires a total of 126-127 credit hours. Leading to a BFA, the program begins with the First Year Experience (FYE), which focuses on academic preparedness. During the first year, students will also complete courses such as Drawing I: Rapid Concept; Drawing II: Style & Skill; Animation I; Digital Techniques; Process & Making; and 2D Design Principles.

Animation II-III; Experimental Animation; Animation Nuts & Bolts; and Storyboarding for Film/Animation are just a few 2nd year courses. Upper division courses include Advanced Story Concepts; Animation Projects I-II; and Business Practices. In the final year of the program, students will complete a number of required general education electives; Entertainment Arts electives; and Senior Production Studio I-II. CCS Animation students also have the opportunity to complete an internship.

Graduates of the Animation program at College for Creative Studies are prepared to pursue careers across the entertainment, advertising, games, and other industries. Program alumni are Animators, Directors, Storyboard Artists, Riggers, and VFX Artists. College for Creative Studies alumni have been hired at major studios and networks such as Disney, Sony Pictures Imageworks, DreamWorks Animation, and ABC Television Group.

Founded in 1906 as the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts, College for Creative Studies is a private, nonprofit institution that serves more than 1,400 students enrolled in 23 Art and Design programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. CCS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The school is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

28. Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, Denver, Colorado (Top 30% of colleges considered)
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) has a collaborative Animation program that requires all on-campus students to participate in online learning. Consisting of 123 credit hours completed over four years, this BFA program has options in both 2D and 3D Animation. Each option requires 27 credit hours.

Designed for students interested in traditional animation, the 2D option also requires 21 credits in Animation and six Studio elective credits. With a focus on computer animation, the 3D option requires 18 credits in Animation and nine in Studio electives.

All students must complete the Liberal Arts Curriculum which emphasizes global consciousness, information literacy, and critical awareness. Across options, students will explore Storyboarding; Observational Drawing; Character Design; Animation; Texture Mapping; Modeling; and Line of Action.

Graduates of the Animation programs at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design will leave the program with a professional portfolio of their best work. Program alumni are prepared for roles such as Animator, Story Artist, 3D Modeler, Texture Artist, 3D Artist, and Lighting Artist. Graduates have been hired at major networks and studios such as Pixar, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, and Industrial Light & Magic (ILM).

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design began in 1963 as Rocky Mountain School of Art. Serving more than 1,000 students, RMCAD offers 16 degree and certificate programs offered in campus/hybrid and online formats. Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and it is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

29. University of the Arts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Top 30% of colleges considered)
University of the Arts

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

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

The BFA curriculum combines hands-on teaching with internships at studios such as Augenblick, Stretch Films Inc., and Sesame Workshop; study away experiences in places such as France and South Korea; and formal critiquing sessions designed to evaluate the students’ progress and work. BFA students also have opportunities to interact with guest speakers and alumni; collaborate on projects with peers; and participate in lectures and screenings.

A major component of the Animation programs at University of the Arts is the Professional Practices requirement. During this multifaceted course, which takes place in the third year of the programs, provides the opportunity for students to post their reels to their branded portfolio websites; participate in mock interviews; design business cards, resumes, and other materials; and develop social media strategies.

The Animation programs at UArts also provide access to a 5,600-square-foot space known as the Center for Immersive Media (CIM). Within the CIM, students have the opportunity 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.

The Animation and Film BFA at UArts culminates with the Animation Thesis or Film Thesis completed across two courses. The culminating experience for the Animation BFA is the Animation Thesis, completed across two courses. For Animation BFA students who would like to complete an additional project, the program provides the option to complete the Client Animation Project course instead of an internship.

University of the Arts Animation graduates are prepared to pursue roles such as Character Animator, Storyboard Artist, Effects Animator, Computer Animator, Art Director, Cinematographer, Clay/Puppet Animator, Director, Motion Graphics Designer, Producer, Animatic Editor, Scientific Animator, Forensic Animator, and Background Artist.

UArts graduates have been hired local companies and studios such as Center City Film & Video, Alkemy X, and unPOP. UArts alumni also work at major companies, studios, and networks such as Sony Interactive Entertainment, HBO, Warner Bros., DreamWorks, Netflix, Cartoon Network, Google, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Nickelodeon, Google, Augenblick, Titmouse, and Bento Box Entertainment.

Founded in 1876 as part of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, University of the Arts serves approximately 1,315 students enrolled in more than 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).

30. Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, Ohio (Top 35% of colleges considered)
Cleveland Institute of Art

The Animation Program at Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) prepares students for careers in animation through independent and collaborative project; internships; and work experiences with real clients and community partners. Animation students also benefit from field trips the zoo and museums for inspiration, as well as mentorships with veteran industry professionals with a combined 600+ feature film, television, and digital production credits. CIA faculty have worked with major studios and companies such as DreamWorks, Warner Bros., Walt Disney Feature Animation, Hasbro, Sony Animation, Illumination, American Greetings.

Leading to a BFA, the CIA Animation program consists of courses such as Storyboarding & Sequential Art; 2D and 3D Animation; Experimental Animation; Motion Graphics; Body Mechanics for Animation; 3D Texture, Mapping, Digital Lighting; Narrative Production; 3D Modeling for Concept Vehicles; Advanced 3D Animation; Community Projects: Animation Production (EP); and Animation Portfolio Reel + Shorts. Open electives allow students to declare a customized focus area in their junior year; study outside the program; and collaborate with other CIA departments.

In the senior year of the Animation BFA program at Cleveland Institute of Art, students will complete a thesis project. Students may do this individually or through collaboration in their chosen area of animated media. Through the Animation Portfolio Reel & Shorts course, students will develop and present an industry-ready portfolio and demo reel of their best work.

Graduates of the Animation BFA program at Cleveland Institute of Art have worked on feature films, games, and television series. Program alumni also work in the medical, sports, and communications industries. Program alumni are Animators, Storyboard Artists, 3D Character Animators, Game Designers, and Independent Filmmakers.

Cleveland Institute of Art was chartered as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women in 1882. This independent, not-for-profit college serves around 600 students enrolled in 13 entertainment arts, design, fine arts, and craft majors. Cleveland Institute of Art is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

31. Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, Missouri (Top 35% of colleges considered)

Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) houses a state-of-the-art digital studio outfitted with the latest tools and equipment such as 3-D printers, CNC routers, and a digital loom. The KCAI campus also houses two art galleries—an encyclopedic museum and contemporary art museum—where students can explore contemporary art, collections of Impressionist paintings, and ancient Chinese sculptures. Students in all KCAI programs have access to these resources and more.

For students seeking an animation degree, Kansas City Art Institute has an Animation BFA that allows students to create their own path through the school’s mentor-based studio-instruction model. All students begin the program by exploring analog, classical, and experimental techniques. In the second year, students will take courses such as Sophomore Studio: Principles of Animation; History of Animation: Origins; and Sophomore Studio: Animators Toolbox.

The third year consists of Junior Studio: Explorations in Animation; History of Animation Since 1960; and Sophomore Studio: Ideas in Motion.

Throughout the 126 credit hour Animation BFA program, students will have the opportunity to select 15 credit hours from electives. Examples include Live Action for Animation; The Art of Stop Motion Puppetry; Real-Time Animation; Intro to Toon Boom Harmony; and Motion Graphics: History & Practice.

In the final year of the KCAI Animation BFA program, students will complete the Professional Practice course and Senior Studio: Graduation Animation 1 and 2. The Professional Practice course allows students to interact and network with visiting artists, scholars, and industry professionals. The two six-credit Senior Studios provide the opportunity to conceptualize and produce an animated work. Students may also complete an internship at a local or national studio. 

Graduates of the Kansas City Art Institute Animation BFA program are prepared to pursue roles in the entertainment industry, advertising, and many others. Program alumni have been hired at major networks and studios such as Nickelodeon, Digital Domain, Warner Bros., Disney, Netflix, Hallmark, and Titmouse. Some KCAI BFA graduates go on to pursue advanced degrees at top institutions such as University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts), School of Visual Art New York (SVA NY), and University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC). 

Kansas City Art Institute was established in 1885 as a Sketch Club. Situated just steps from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art within Kansas City’s arts corridor, 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).

32. Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Top 35% of colleges considered)
Drexel University

The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design at Drexel University (Drexel) has several paths to study animation. Options include the Animation and Visual Effects (VFX) BS; Digital Media MS; Dual Animation and Visual Effects BS/Digital Media MS; Digital Media and Virtual Production BS/ Digital Media MS; and Digital Media PhD. An eight course (24-credit) Animation and VFX minor is also available.

The curriculum for this program provides a foundation in the design, storytelling, and technological skills used by 3D animators and VFX artists in the entertainment and design worlds. Minor students also have the opportunity for customize the program through 12 credit hours of electives. Lighting & Surfacing; Scripting for Animation and VFX; Digital Character Creation; and Technical Directing are just a few elective examples. The Animation and VFX minor can be taken alone or with just about any degree program within the College of Media Arts & Design.

The Dual BS/MS programs consist of coursework and projects in animation, 3-D modeling, gaming, advanced digital design, and interactivity. The programs also explore digital media history, theory, and methods. Dual BS/MS programs require a minimum of 232 credit hours to graduate.

The Animation & VFX BS program provides instruction and hands-on training in 3D modeling, character design, scripting and storytelling, motion capture, compositing, storyboarding, and rigging. The Digital Media MS at Drexel University is a two-year program that focuses on research and media applications. Areas explored include animation, advanced digital design, gaming and digital media history, 3D modeling, and interactivity.

Students in this program will complete several independent, industry-sponsored, student-created, or faculty-approved projects. Past projects have focused on animation design, advanced animation production techniques, narrative comics, and video games, among others.

The PhD is a research-driven degree that take place in an experiential learning environment. Besides entertainment, PhD students may conduct research in business, engineering, health, education, or other areas.

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

Positions may be paid or unpaid. Past co-op positions include animation, visual effects, technical direction, and 3D work at places such as Pixar, Cartoon Network, Sony Studios, FuseFX, and MediaKraft TV.

Graduates of the Animation & VFX and Digital Media programs at Drexel University have worked on projects such as Avengers: Infinity War, The Mandalorian, Ready Player One, and How to Train Your Dragon 2. Other program alumni go on to work in research and development in the fields of virtual reality, real-time rendering solutions, and generative design.

Drexel Animation & VFX and Digital Media graduates have also been hired by major companies and studios such as Pixar, Microsoft, XBOX, DreamWorks, Disney, and NCSoft Corp.

Drexel University was established in 1891 as Drexel Institute of Art, Science, & Industry. The school serves approximately 22,345 students enrolled in more than 200 degree programs across 15 colleges and schools. Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The school’s academic programs in art, design, and media are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD).

33. Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California (Top 35% of colleges considered)
Loyola Marymount University

The School of Film and Television (SFTV) at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is home to the first program to build a motion-capture lab offering classes in virtual cinematography and pre-visualization. Known as the Walter and Grace Lantz Animation Program, pathways lead to either a BA or a minor. Both options feature small class sizes; coursework with high student-faculty interaction; and access to state-of-the-art facilities, labs, and networked computer workstations.

LMU students have two additional options for studying animation: the Computer Science BS and the Interactive, Gaming, and Immersive Media (IGI) minor. The BS has a Games and Interaction Computer Science track, which provides access to animation courses and additional free electives in film, creative arts, music, and more. Students in this program can select up to 21 elective credits to focus in animation games, and other areas. 

The IGI minor is a collaboration between the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering and the School of Film and Television. To complete the program, students must take six courses including two gateway courses, two from the School of Film and Television courses, and two from Science and Engineering. Course examples include Introduction to Interactive Animation; Advanced Interactive Animation; Interaction Design; and Immersive Media Studio.

The Animation BA in the School of Film and Television focuses on teaching students how to use the latest technology to master drawing, visual effects (VFX), production techniques, interactive design, and storytelling. Collaborative, hands-on courses include Art of Cinema; Storytelling for the Screen; Visual Story Development; Digital Toolbox; Interactive Animation; History of Animation; 3D Computer Animation; and Intermediate Animation Workshop.

The LMU Animation BA is a four year program that requires 45 semester hours of study in upper division coursework. In addition to core and major requirements, the program 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.

The Animation minor consists of 18 semester hours of study and it is open to all LMU students, regardless of major. Course examples include Introduction to 3D Computer Animation; History of Animation; Visual Story Development; Introduction to Interactive Animation; and Discovering Animation.

Graduates of Animation programs at Loyola Marymount University are prepared to pursue roles at all levels in film, television, and animation production; game design and development; advertising and marketing; science and medicine; forensic animation; and art education. To date, more than 400 employers have hired LMU SFTV alumni. More than 80% of alumni are working in the field and more than 10% are in graduate school.

Animation program alumni have worked on a number of major productions and series such as The Simpsons and The Simpsons Movie, Wonder Woman, Superman: Doomsday, and Green Lantern: First Flight. They have been hired by major companies, networks, and studios such as Walt Disney Animation, HBO, DreamWorks, NBCUniversal, Cartoon Network, Amazon Studios, Nickelodeon, Paramount, Sony Pictures Animation, Viacom, Warner Bros., Disney/ABC, BET Networks, E! Entertainment, Netflix, Sony Playstation, Randon House Studios, and 21st Century Fox.  

Established in 1911, Loyola Marymount University is a National University/High Research Activity (R2) institution. The school serves approximately 10,000 students enrolled in more than 175 degree programs, minors, and credential programs. The academic programs at Loyola Marymount University are housed across three campuses—LMU Westchester (Los Angeles), LMU Downtown (Law School), and LMU Playa Vista (Silicon Beach)—and seven colleges and schools. Loyola Marymount University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

34. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Top 40% of colleges considered)
University of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) is home to the Stuart Weitzman School of Design, which houses a variety of animation resources for students across all programs. Students have access to computer labs with Wacom tablets, and 2D and 3D animation and compositing applications such as Maya, Matchmover, After Effects, 3ds Max, Mudbox, Premiere, Flash, TV Paint, and many others. For stop-motion animation projects, the school has sound recording and editing equipment, DSLR cameras, and lighting and grip equipment to be used with Dragonframe software. A stop-motion and multiplane studio with a dedicate capture workstation as available as well. 

Stuart Weitzman School of Design also houses the undergraduate program in Fine Arts and Design (FNAR) with an interdisciplinary major in FNAR. This Art BA program combines seminar courses with studio instruction, and the visiting artist lecture series. Coursework for the program allows students to study animation, digital design, 3D modeling, and more. Course examples include Design and Digital Culture; Mixed Media Animation; Advanced 3D Modeling; Cinema Production; Hand-Drawn Computer Animation; Digital Figure Modeling; Environmental Animation; 3D Computer Modeling; and Computer Animation.

Another path to study animation at UPenn is the Digital Media Design (DMD) program. Launched in 1998, DMD is part of the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS). Leading to a Bachelor’s in Engineering and Science (BSE) with a DMD major, this interdisciplinary program allows students to study animation, games, virtual reality design, computer graphics, and interactive technologies. Course examples include Computer Animation, Drawing Investigations, Interactive Computer Graphics, Advanced Rendering, and 3D Computer Modeling.

The School of Engineering and Applied Science at University of Pennsylvania also houses the Center for Human Modeling and Simulation (HMS). Within the HMS Center is a Computer Graphics and Game Technology (CGGT) Engineering MS (MSE) program.

Established in 2004, this interdisciplinary program provides opportunities to specialize in Art and Animation, Animation and Simulation Technology; Creative Design; Production Management, or Human/Computer Interfaces. Students in this program have access to equipment and resources available through the SIG Center for Computer Graphics.

Course examples for the MSE include Computer Animation; 3D Computer Modeling; Physically-Based Animation; Interactive Computer Graphics; Physically-Based Rendering; Digital Figure Modeling; and Advanced Project Animation.

Students in the UPenn CGGT MSE program will spend their first year in the Master of Computer and Information Technology (MCIT) program. Upon completion, students may pursue the CGGT degree. Because they have taken a total of 16 courses, graduates will receive two degrees: the MCIT and MSE CGGT.

Graduates of UPenn’s MSE CGGT, DMD, and MCIT, programs are prepared to pursue careers and entrepreneurship in areas such as animation, design, directing, and game programming. Program alumni are routinely hired by major companies and studios such as Pixar, Microsoft, Walt Disney Animation, Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts (EA), DreamWorks Animation, Sony, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), and Zynga. 

University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) is one of the nation’s oldest universities. Founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin, the school serves approximately 28,200 students enrolled in more than 400 programs across 12 schools. University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

35. Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (Top 40% of colleges considered)
Northeastern University

Northeastern University has a number of paths to study animation. Options are housed across several colleges and departments. The College of Arts, Media and Design (CAMD) at Northeastern University houses the Department of Art + Design, home to the Art + Design BFA with an Animation concentration, the Game Art and Animation BFA, and the Animation minor.

In the Khoury College of Computer Sciences at Northeastern University, the Computer Science program houses a Computer Science and Media Arts BS. 

All Art + Design BFA students have the opportunity to learn and work in a collaborative, immersive environment. In addition to animation, students have the option to explore other areas such as game design, interactive video, and AR/VR. During the course of the BFA programs, students will work their way through the production pipelines for animated films, visual effects, games, simulations, spatial media, and visualizations.

Other program benefits include courses taught by professionals in the industry; global experiences; and plenty of co-op and other experiential learning experiences. Northeastern University has established relationships with co-op employers such as Microsoft Studios, Apple, CBS, Amazon, NBC Universal Television, Sony, Viacom, Walt Disney Company, Adobe, National Geographic Learning, School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), and Facebook.

The CAMD Animation concentration requires 134-135 credit hours of study. Course examples include Color and Composition; Animation Basics; Movement and Time; Animation 1 and 2; Visual Intelligence; Animation Tools; and Typographic Systems. The Media Arts Degree Project is the culminating experience for this degree program. This advanced studio course provides preparation for graduating students in their careers as professional artists and creative practitioners.

The Game Art and Animation BFA at Northeastern University consists of 135 credit hours and requires many of the same courses as the Art + Design BFA with an Animation concentration. Other courses for the Game Art and animation program include Foundations of Game Design; Games and Society; Experience and Interaction Tools; Animation for Games; Narrative for Games; Survey of the Still Moving Image; and the Media Arts Degree Project.

The Computer Science and Media Arts BS is a 137 credit hour program that explores animation; traditional disciplines such as video, computer graphics, photography, and database design; and emerging areas such as VR/AR, artificial intelligence (AI), human-computer interaction (HCI), and machine learning.

Specific animation and related courses include Animation 1-3; Character Design for Animation; Virtual Environment Design; Animation for Games; Experimental Video; Color and Composition; Experience and Interaction; Movement and Time; and Computer Graphics. The Computer Science and Media Arts BS program culminates with the Media Arts Degree Project.

Graduates of the CAMD BFA and Khoury CS and Media Arts programs at Northeastern University go on to establish careers in areas such as animation, TV and film, game art and design, VR/AR, HCI, and digital media. Program alumni are Animators, Game Artists, Art Directors, Experience Designers, Producers, and Sound Designers.

Northeastern University began as the Evening Institute of the Boston Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in 1898. The school serves approximately 36,630 full-time students enrolled in more than 500 programs across nine colleges and schools. Northeastern has campuses in Boston, Massachusetts; Charlotte, North Carolina; Seattle, Washington; Silicon Valley; San Francisco, California; Toronto, Ontario Canada; Vancouver, BC Canada; London, UK; Portland, Maine, and the Massachusetts communities of Nahant and Burlington. Northeastern University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

36. The Digital Animation & Visual Effects School (DAVE School), Orlando, Florida (Top 40% of colleges considered)

The Digital Animation & Visual Effects School (DAVE School) has several paths to study animation. Options include the Visual Effects Production (VFX), Game Production, and Virtual Production Diploma programs. The VFX Production and Game Production programs take 12 months to complete. The Virtual Production Diploma takes 18 months to complete. All options are fully on-ground, with winter, spring, summer, and fall start times.

The VFX Production program features an immersive combination of project-based workflows and studio learning. Students will explore the principles of hard surface modeling; the art and science of lighting, texturing, and look development; 3D animation; and organic modeling and digital sculpting in Zbrush. This 60 credit program also covers the art of motion and rigging mechanical assets and characters as well as motion capture of real subjects. Utilized software includes Maya, Unreal Engine, and After Effects.

In the final three months of this 60 credit program, students will complete the pre-production, production, and post-production for two projects. Students will leave the program with a demo reel and professional portfolio.

Game Production students will begin the program covering the same areas as VFX students. They will learn about character, prop, and environment modeling; 3D animation; rigging; level design; visual effects; and lighting and texturing. Utilized software includes After Effects, Maya, Unreal engine, and others. In the final three months of this collaborative program, students will work in teams on the development and pre-production game through the Alpha, Beta, and Gold Production levels. Projects will lead to a final in-house game release that will become part of the students’ permanent demo reel.

The Virtual Production Diploma is the DAVE School’s flagship program. Consisting of 90 credits, this option combines everything from the VFX Production and Game Production programs. In the final six months of the program, students will develop two VFX projects and see a game project through from pre-production to in-house release. The final projects culminate with a professional demo reel.

DAVE School graduates are prepared to pursue roles at all levels and all areas of animation, film production, VFX, and games. Program alumni have been hired by major studios around the world as Animators, Technical Artists, Riggers, Environment Artists, and 3D Modelers, among others. Some DAVE School alumni have also gone on to launch their own studios or freelance businesses.

The Digital Animation & Visual Effects (DAVE) School was founded in 2000. Located on the backlot of Universal Studios, Florida, The DAVE School is an academic unit of NUC University, which is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MCSHE). DAVE serves around 1,000 students enrolled in six programs leading to a Bachelor’s degree or Diploma.

37. Woodbury University, Burbank, California (Top 40% of colleges considered)
Woodbury University

The School of Media: Culture: Design at Woodbury University (Woodbury) houses eight programs. Six are STEM-designated. This includes the Animation + VFX BFA that explores 2D animation, stop=motion, 3D animation, and VFX. Led by accomplished professionals and academics, course examples include History of Animation and VFX; Animation Principles 1 and 2; Figure and Animal Drawing; Industry Insiders; Stop Motion Animation; 3D Animation 1 and 2; Storyboarding; Production Design; and Digital Media.

Animation + VFX at Woodbury University also provides opportunities for students to develop skills in additional areas through electives. Puppet Building, Digital Painting, and Digital Sculpting are just a few examples. Other program highlights opportunities to work one-on-one with instructors in small studio classes; the Progress Portfolio, where students will develop a portfolio/reel in specified work from each completed lower-division studio; access to state-of-the art computer labs and equipment; and the required internship.

Thanks to Woodbury’s location near more than 15 animation and visual effects studios, students have many opportunities to fulfill the internship requirement. Examples include Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, Warner Bros., Bix Pix Entertainment, Acme Filmworks, Walt Disney Imagineering, Walt Disney Animation, Titmouse Studios, Hasbro Studios, Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, Netflix Animation, and Skydance Animation.

In the third year of the Animation + VFX program, students will complete a 20- to 30-second long junior thesis film. This Junior Thesis course includes a review of the 2D/3D/stop-motion production pipelines and soundtrack synchronization. The BFA program culminates with Animation Thesis I, 2 and 3, completed over three semesters. This final film project will be viewed at the end of year Animation + VFX Showcase in Woodbury’s campus theater, equipped with surround-sound and 4K projection. Student films are also ready for submission to national and international animation festivals.

Graduates of the Animation + VFX BFA program at Woodbury University are prepared to pursue roles such as 3D Animator, Director, Stop-Motion Animator, Storyboard Artist, 2D Animator, Character Designer, Puppet-Builder, Medical Animator, Visual Effects Artist, Architectural Visualizer, Visual Development Artist, Character Technical Director, Visual Effects Supervisor, Rendering Artist, Writer, Game Artist or Game Animator, and Visual Effects Producer. 

Program alumni have been hired by major networks and studios such as DreamWorks, The Walt Disney Company, 20th Century Studios, Netflix Animation, and American Broadcasting Company (ABC).

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 provides 26 professional and liberal arts undergraduate and graduate majors 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 WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

38. Chapman University, Orange, California (Top 40% of colleges considered)
Chapman University

Dodge College of Film & Media Arts (Dodge College) at Chapman University (Chapman) is one of the nation’s fastest growing film, advertising, and broadcast journalism schools. Serving around 16% of all students enrolled, Dodge regularly welcomes award-winning guest speakers such as Judd Apatow, Natasha Lyonne, Oliver Stone, Barry Jenkins, Michelle Yeoh, Alejandro G. Inarritu, and Brendan Fraser.

Dodge College also houses the highly collaborative Digital Media Arts Center (DMAC), which was inspired by the creative spaces at major studios and companies such as Disney, Pixar, Microsoft, and Google. Students have access to industry software and tools such Toon Boom, Adobe, Unreal Engine, Maya, Houdini, Zbrush, Nuke, Blender, and Rokoko.

Within Dodge College at Chapman University are several paths to study animation. The Animation and Visual Effects (VFX) program has three study areas: CG Animation, 2D Animation, and Visual Effects. 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 Production Design for Animation and Visual Effects;  2D Computer Graphics I-II; Character Design; Advanced Storyboards and Character Layout; Figure Drawing for Animators; and Writing for Animation. Note that many courses overlap for the CG and 2D areas.

In the Visual Effects area, students will take courses such as Compositing for Visual Effects; Virtual Production Workshop for Animation and Visual Effects; Unreal Engine for Filmmakers 3 credits Advanced 3D Computer Graphics for Visual Effects; Advanced Visual Effects Production and Workflow Advanced Pre-visualization for Motion Pictures; and On-Set and Post-Production Visual Effects Supervision.

Across areas, students have access to electives such as Pinocchio & Co: The Puppet Across Media; Game Development; Audio Techniques; Short Film Analysis; Set Decoration; and Costume Design. All Animation and VFX students 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.

During the final years of the Animation and VFX program at Chapman University, students may complete an internship. Because Dodge College has relationships with major studios such as Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Blizzard Entertainment, and Blur Studios, students have access to these coveted internship opportunities. All Dodge College students also have the opportunity to study abroad in places such as Japan, New Zealand, France, Mozambique, and Peru, and participate in student clubs such as the Chapman Animation and Visual Effects Club, The Collective, and the Virtual Reality/AR Club.

Graduates of the Animation and VFX BFA program at Chapman University are prepared for careers across the animation, television, film, and game industries, among others. Program alumni have landed positions at Marvel, DreamWorks, Blizzard Entertainment, Sony Pictures, Nickelodeon, PlayStation, Netflix, DNEG, Bento Box Entertainment, Frame48, and Lightstorm Entertainment.

Founded in 1861 as Hesperian College, Chapman University is a business, entertainment, and technology college that serves 10,015 students from 49 states, two territories, and 82 countries. The school provides approximately 200 programs of study across 11 colleges and schools. Chapman University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

39. Lipscomb University, Nashville, Tennessee (Top 45% of colleges considered)
Lipscomb University

Lipscomb University was the first university in the nation to purchase the Positron Voyager—the first chair designed specifically for fully immersive cinematic virtual reality. Lipscomb also houses one of the few Animation programs to provide BA, BFA, and MFA degrees. Housed in the George Shinn College of Entertainment and the Arts, all options are led by Disney Animators, experts in Maya, and other accomplished professionals in the field. An 18 credit hour Animation minor is also available.

Across programs, students have opportunities to travel to places such as Los Angeles and Italy to attend animation events. Students also have opportunities to complete an internship at a major studio, and each semester, George Shinn College welcomes industry experts to speaking events designed to help students get an idea of what it’s like to work at some of the world’s top animation studios.

While the Animation BA and BFA have overlapping coursework, the BA requires 54 credit hours in the major, and the BFA requires 64. Course examples across programs include Dynamic Gestures; Animation Tools; CG Modeling and Lighting; Computer Animation I; Perspective, Color & Composition; Storyboarding for Animation; Writing for Animation; History of Animation; and Animation Production.

Students may enhance the degree through the required 15 credit hours of electives. Unreal Technology; Character Modeling in Zbrush; Digital Imaging (After Effects, Color, etc.); Computer Animation II-IV; and Film Production Workshop are just a few elective examples.  Students in both programs will take the Portfolio Development course, and BFA students will complete an Animation Capstone across two courses.

The graduate Animation program leads to an MFA in Film and Creative Media with a focus in Animation. Students in this program will take courses, complete projects, and receive one-on-one mentorship from a faculty of five former Disney animators and other prominent animators from across the U.S. Animation MFA students will also attend classes with Film students, which provides the opportunity to collaborate and gain experience in different areas of film production.

Consisting of 62 credit hours, the Animation focus consists of courses such as the Character Design Master Class with former Disney Supervising Animator, Tom Bancroft, or John Pomeroy; Character Rigging with Maya, Toon Boom Harmony, or other software based on the students desire to pursue CG animation or 2D “Tradigital” animation pipelines; and Writing for Animation with award-winning co-creator of “Veggietales” Mike Nawrocki.

Other courses include Advanced Film Business; Media Entrepreneurship; 2D/CG Animation Pipeline; Concepts in Creative Media; Advanced Storytelling; and Zbrush Techniques. During the course of the program, students will also complete Film Production I-II. The resulting projects are submitted for the 5 Minute Film Festival—Lipscomb’s signature event for cinematic arts in the spring. Winners will have the opportunity to enter their projects in the Nashville Film Festival—an Academy Award-qualifying film festival.

All MFA students will work on a number of paid projects through CEA Studios. Launched in 2019, CEA Studios is a creative production house situated on the Lipscomb University campus. CEA Studios is also the setting for Spring Year 2 MFA Studio Internships, which provide each student with a stipend of $3,100.

The culminating experience for the Lipscomb University Film and Creative Media program is the MFA Thesis. This final project consists of a short film or animated series to be screened at the end of the final semester.

Graduates of the Animation programs at Lipscomb University are prepared to pursue a variety roles across entertainment industries. Potential career paths include (but are not limited to) 2D Animator, 3D Animator, Storyboard Artist, Director, Computer Animator, Lead Animator, Producer, and Game Animator.

Lipscomb University was founded in 1891 by ministers David Lipscomb and James A. Harding as Nashville Bible School. The school serves approximately 4,675 students enrolled in more than 240 programs across 10 colleges. Lipscomb University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

40. Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York (Top 45% of colleges considered)
Syracuse University

The Department of Film and Media Arts at Syracuse University (SU) is part of the College of Visual & Performing Arts (VPA). Within the Department are several paths to study animation. Options include a Computer Art and Animation BFA, a Computer Art MFA, and an Animation and Visual Effects minor.

The minor allows students to focus in Animation, Visual Effects, or both. Consisting of 21 credit hours, this option includes courses such as Animation Workshop I-II; Previz and Character Development for Animation; Advanced 3D Animation and Visual Effects; Drawing II: Representation to Conceptualization; Visual Effects Workshop I-II; Drawing for Illustration; and Film Scriptwriting.

Upon completion of the SU Animation and Visual Effects minor, students may pursue further study in the College of VPA or other SU colleges. Students are also prepared to pursue entry-level positions in the entertainment industry.

The Computer Art and Animation BFA at Syracuse University provides the opportunity to observe the production processes at studios around the world. Examples include Method Studios (Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Vancouver and Montreal, Canada, Melbourne, Australia, and Pune, India); and Filmworks/FX (Brooklyn, New York, Los Angeles, and Woodland Hills, California).

All BFA students also have the opportunity to participate in the VPA LA Semester. This immersive professional development program allows students to work as interns in Los Angeles, while taking courses taught by professionals working in the city’s entertainment industry. Course examples for this 121 credit hour program include History of Animation; Art and Craft of Animation; Intermediate 3D Animation; Visual Effects Workshop I and II; Topics in Computer Gaming; Film and Media Arts Advanced Studio; Previsualization and Character Development for Animation; and Advanced Animation.

The SU Computer Art and Animation program culminates with the Senior Project and Portfolio, completed across two courses.

Graduates of the SU Computer Art and Animation BFA program have been hired at places such as Pixar, Cartoon Network, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Filmworks/FX, and Tippett Studio.

The Computer Art MFA program at Syracuse University was founded in 1980 by Computer Artist Edward Zajec. Consisting of 60 credit hours completed over three years, the program allows students to focus in a specific area through studio electives (12 credits) and free electives (six credits). Areas may include Computer Animation, Visual Effects (VFX), Gaming, Software Art, Sonic Art, Multi-Channel Installation, Physical Computing, and Electronic Objects.

Graduate students in all areas have 24/7 access to computer art facilities; video post-production, audio production, and recording studios; dedicated Apple MacPro workstation; video camcorders and field audio recorders; and a range of physical computing gear.

The Computer Art MFA program at Syracuse University culminates with an oral examination and final project with presentation. Graduates are prepared for careers in all areas of entertainment. Program alumni can be found at major networks and studios such as Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), Pixar, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Cartoon Network, MPC Film, Blizzard Entertainment, Tippett Studio, and Filmworks/FX.

Founded in 1870, Syracuse University is an R1 research university that serves approximately 22,700 students from all 50 states and 120 countries. More than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs are provided across 13 colleges and schools. In addition to campuses in Syracuse, Manhattan, Washington DC, and Los Angeles, Syracuse University operates overseas centers in France, Italy, London, Poland, Chile, and Spain. Syracuse University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Locations