Top 40 Private Animation Schools and Colleges in the U.S. – 2026 College Rankings

The School of Film/Video (F/V) at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) has an 8:1 student-faculty ratio, with all programs led by working filmmakers, artists, and technicians. Across programs, students have opportunities to present films at the annual F/V Bijou Festival; complete a paid internship with independent and major productions; study abroad in places such as Paris and Prague; and interact with award-winning animators and filmmakers at REDCAT’s film series. F/V program options for animators include the Experimental Animation BFA and MFA, and a Character Animation BFA. CalArts graduates have gone on to secure roles with places such as DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Sony Pictures Animation, Pixar, Apple, Disney, Netflix, Cartoon Network, Google, Warner Bros., Illumination, and NBCUniversal. 

The School of Cinematic Arts at University of Southern California (USC) is home to the John C. Hench Division of Animation + Digital Arts (Hench DADA) and the Expanded Animation Division (EAD). Both allow students to collaborate with students in other divisions such as music, interactive games, and dance. Program options include the Animation + Digital Arts BFA and MFA; the Expanded Animation Research + Practice MFA (XA MFA); and the 3D Animation and Cinematic Arts minor. Programs culminate with an animated project. Graduates can be found at places such as Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Nickelodeon, DreamWorks Animation, Sony Pictures Imageworks, and Digital Domain.

Serving nearly 800 students, the Animation Department at School of Visual Arts (SVA) is one of the nation’s largest. Program options include the Animation BFA; a 3D Animation and Visual Effects BFA; and the Computer Arts MFA with a focus in Animation, Motion Design, or Experimental Art. BFA graduates can be found at places such as Cartoon Network, DreamWorks, Lucasfilm Animation, Warner Bros. Animation, Nickelodeon, Walt Disney Animation Studios. Computer Art MFA students have been nominated for 13 Student Academy Awards and won nine. Graduates of this program are routinely hired at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Sony Pictures Imageworks, Pixar, DreamWorks, MTV, Electronic Arts (EA), Adobe, and Google. 

The School of Art (SoArt) at Pratt Institute (Pratt) houses the Digital Arts and Animation Department. Within the department are several paths to study animation. Options include the Digital Arts BFA (2D Animation); the Digital Arts BFA (3D Animation); and the Digital Arts MFA (3D Animation and Motion Arts). Across programs, students benefit from frequent trips to festivals, exhibitions, shows, and screenings in New York City; collaborative projects; and Studio Crit, which hosts regular critique sessions for student films. Graduates can be found at places such as Nickelodeon, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DreamWorks, Cartoon Network, and Disney Animation Studios.

New York University’s (NYU) Tisch School of the Arts (Tisch) is home to the Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film and Television. Producing more than 5,000 films annually, the institute houses a Film and Television BFA program with an Animation Area. Students will work with traditional, 2D, 3D, and experimental animation, as well as visual effects and writing for animation. The program culminates with a final animated project. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles at major studios or launch their own studios. Program alumni can be found at places such as Pixar, DreamWorks, and Walt Disney Animation.

Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media at DePaul University (DePaul) has one of the largest full-time animation faculties in the U.S. Program options for animators include the Animation BFA with concentrations in 3D Animation, Game Art, Cinema Animation, Storyboarding and Character Design, Visual Effects Animation, and Motion Graphics; the Animation BA with the option to create a focus area such as Digital Puppet Animation, Stop Motion, or Sound Design for Animation; a Computer Science (CS) + Animation (CS+ANI) BS with an Animation Technical Director (TD) concentration; an Animation TD minor; and the Animation MA, MFA, BA/MA, and BFA/MA. Graduate concentration options include 3D Animation; Motion Graphics; Storyboarding and Character Design; Technical Artist; and Traditional Animation. Graduates of the Animation programs at DePaul University go on to land roles at places such as DreamWorks Animation, Cartoon Network, Electronic Arts (EA), Disney Animation Studios, Nickelodeon, Epic Games, Warner Bros. Animation, Blizzard Entertainment, Google, and LAIKA. 

In the 1980s, ArtCenter College of Design (ArtCenter) became the first design school to install computer labs, helping lay the groundwork for the digital design revolution. For animators, this pioneering institution provides an Entertainment Design BS program with Animation and Concept Design tracks. Program benefits include project-based learning; industry partnerships; transdisciplinary studio (TDS) workshops; and opportunities to collaborate with Game Design, Illustration, and Concept Design students. The program culminates with a capstone project and Grad Show exhibition. With a 95% employment rate, ArtCenter students are routinely hired at places such as Disney, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Sony, DreamWorks, Marvel, LAIKA, Nickelodeon, Universal, Warner Bros., 20th Century Studios, and Netflix. 

Full Sail University (Full Sail) has a Computer Animation BS program that can be completed online or in-person. While the campus-based program takes just 20 months to complete and the online program takes 29 months, the curriculums are identical. Students will complete several professional development seminar courses along with seven project and portfolio courses covering computer animation and 3D art. Hundreds of Full Sail graduates have been credited on Academy-, Grammy-, and Primetime Emmy Award-nominated projects. Alumni can also be found at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), MTV, Disney, HBO, Insomniac Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Pixar, Apple, Blizzard Entertainment, Nickelodeon, Epic Games, Universal Studios, Google, Warner Bros., and Sony. 

Otis College of Art and Design (Otis) was established in 1918 by the founder of the LA Times, Harrison Gray Otis. Known as LA’s first professional school of the arts, OTIS provides two paths to study animation including an Animation BFA and a competitive two-year Animation certificate. The interdisciplinary, STEM-designated BFA features studio projects every semester and a professional internship. Students in both programs will graduate with a professional portfolio of their work. Otis alumni go on to land roles at positions at places such as DreamWorks Animation, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Pixar, Nickelodeon, Reel FX, Disney, NFL Network, Mattel, Apple, and Netflix. 

The STEM-designated School of Animation and Visual Effects at Academy of Art University (AAU) is home to StudioX, where students have the opportunity to work on real films being produced for streaming platforms, theaters, and television. Past productions include Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station, and THEEB. AAU also provides 24/7 remote access to rLab, and programs leading to a certificate or AA, AAS, BFA, MA, and MFA degrees in Animation and Visual Effects. Emphasis areas include 2D Animation; 3D Animation; 3D Modeling; Stop Motion; Storyboarding; and Visual Effects. AAU graduates have been hired at places such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Riot Games, Sony Pictures Animation, Weta FX, DNEG, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Marvel, Google, and LAIKA.

Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD) has an Animation BFA program that focuses on 2D and 3D animation, stop motion, and Claymation. Recognized as a Center of Excellence by Toon Boom, the program also explores digital modeling, virtual reality, and motion graphics. Other program benefits include unlimited access to CCAD’s Cloyd Family Animation Center and real-world projects with partners such as American Greetings and the Greater Columbus Arts Council. The program culminates with a final project and presentation. Graduates have been hired at places such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, Cartoon Network, Electronic Arts (EA), Pixar, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, Riot Games, LAIKA, and Netflix. 

The Animation Department at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) has two paths to study animation including the BFA in Studio and Humanistic Studies and the Animation minor. The BFA includes a 54 credit hour major in Animation, Game Design, Film and Video, Illustration, or Interactive Art, among others. The Animation major is immersive, which allows students to spend the majority of their time creating animated films or other works. The minor consists of 15 credit hours leading to a final project. The BFA program culminates with a year-long capstone/thesis consisting of a film, interactive media work, or installation. Final projects are presented at the MICA Grad Show. MICA graduates can be found at places such as DreamWorks, Disney, MTV, and LAIKA. 

Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) has several paths to study animation. All options follow a mentor-based studio-instruction model, which allows students to customize their studies. Programs include the Animation BFA; an Animation and Art History BFA; and a BFA in Animation and Creative Writing. Programs begin with the First Year Foundation—an immersive experience takes place in a 20,000 square feet space featuring faculty meets, intensive studios, workshops, seminars, and presentations by international speakers. An optional internship is also part of the programs as well as a final animated project. Some program alumni go on to pursue graduate studies at places such as School of Visual Art (SVA) and California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), while others have been hired at Disney, Apple, Nickelodeon, Sony, Digital Domain, Google, Warner Bros., Titmouse, Netflix, Hallmark, and Fox. 

DigiPen was the first school in the world to launch a bachelor’s degree in video game programming. A Certified Partner of SideFX, the school houses a Digital Art and Animation BFA program, and a Digital Arts MFA. Across programs, students benefit from courses taught by independent Disney and Lucasfilm animators; semester- or 12-month long interdisciplinary team-based projects; and opportunities to study abroad at the DigiPen Singapore or Spain campuses. Programs culminate with a professional film or other creative work. To date, DigiPen graduates have been hired by more than 1,250 companies around the world. Examples include Walt Disney Imagineering, Apple, Electronic Arts (EA), DreamWorks, Blizzard Entertainment, Google, Warner Bros. Games, Sony, Nintendo, Amazon, and Riot Games.

College for Creative Studies (CCS) has a STEM-designated Entertainment Arts BFA program with an Animation pathway. A Toon Boom Center for Excellence (COE), the program highlights courses taught by industry professionals and Unreal Authorized Instructors (UAI); study abroad and faculty-led experiences in places such as London, Paris, and India; access to state-of-the-art production studios and labs; and internship opportunities. The program culminates with an animated production. Program alumni can be found at places such as Nickelodeon, Lucasfilm, Disney, Pixar, Cartoon Network, Marvel, DreamWorks Animation, Blizzard Entertainment, Google, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Universal, Titmouse, EA Sports, Warner Bros. Animation, ABC, and WildBrain Studios. 

The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design at Drexel University has several paths to study animation. Options include a BS in Animation and Visual Effects (VFX); Digital Media MS; Dual Animation and VFX BS/Digital Media MS; Digital Media and Virtual Production BS/Digital Media MS; Digital Media PhD; and a minor in Animation and VFX. The Digital Media programs are STEM Designated. Across all programs students have the opportunity to complete a paid or unpaid co-op at places such as Pixar or Cartoon Network. Students also enjoy small class sizes and access to state-of-the-art production facilities. Graduates have gone on to work on projects such as The Mandalorian and Avengers: Infinity War. Alumni have also been hired at places such as DreamWorks, Pixar, Microsoft, Disney, and NCSoft.

Northeastern University provides several paths to study animation. Options include the College of Arts, Media and Design’s (CAMD) Art + Design BFA with an Animation concentration, Game Art and Animation BFA, and Animation minor, along with the Khoury College of Computer Sciences’ Computer Science BS (CS BS) with a combined major in Media Arts. All students benefit from partnerships with co-op employers such as Disney, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and Lucasfilm; opportunities to explore other areas such as augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), extended reality (XR), and game design; and culminating experiences leading to an animated film or other work. Graduates are routinely hired by co-op employers. Additional examples include DreamWorks, Electronic Arts (EA), Pixar, and Universal.

Chapman University (Chapman) is home to Dodge College of Film and Media Arts (Dodge College) which houses the Animation and Visual Effects BFA (AVE BFA) program. Students in this competitive program benefit from master classes, workshops, and mentoring by award-winning actors and directors such as Natasha Lyonne and Jon Batiste; interactions with guest speakers such as Oliver Stone, Michelle Yeoh, and Judd Apatow; access to state-of-the-art production facilities modeled after Disney, Microsoft, and Google production studios; internships with studios such as Pixar, Nickelodeon, and DreamWorks; and participation in student clubs such as the Chapman Animation and Visual Effects Club and the Virtual Reality/AR Club. Graduates can be found at places such as Blizzard Entertainment, Nickelodeon, Marvel, DreamWorks, Sony Pictures Animation, DNEG, Bento Box Entertainment, PlayStation, and Netflix.

The School of Media: Culture: Design at Woodbury University (Woodbury) has Animation and VFX BFA program that focuses on visual effects, 2D and 3D animation, and stop-motion. This STEM-designated program also features courses taught by industry professionals; access to state-of-the art production facilities and studios; individual projects with instructors; skills development in additional areas through electives; and a required internship at places such as DreamWorks, Cartoon Network, and Walt Disney Imagineering, among others. The program culminates with a film project to be screened at the Animation and VFX Showcase in Woodbury’s campus theater. Graduates are routinely hired at places such as Disney, Netflix Animation, DreamWorks, Cartoon Network, and 20th Century Studios.

One of the nation’s oldest technical universities, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) provides programs that focus on experiential learning experiences through paid co-op experiences. This allows students to gain marketable, real-world experience before graduation. Programs for animators are part of the Houdini Certified School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) and the School of Science. Options include the Electronic Arts BS, PhD, and minor; Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences BS (GSAS BS) with a concentration in Electronic Arts; Communication, Media, and Design BS; and the Computer Science BS with a minor in Electronic Arts. Across programs, students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and centers such as the HASS Media Studio, the Emergent Reality Lab (ERL), and Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC). Programs culminate with a final project and presentation. Graduates go on to land positions at places such as DreamWorks, Hasbro, Blizzard Entertainment, Disney, Microsoft, Bethesda, NVIDIA, Apple, Boeing, Google, Amazon, and Dell.