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

The School of Theater, Film and Television (TFT) at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) houses the Film, Television, and Digital Media BA (FTVDM-BA) with a concentration in Animation and the highly competitive UCLA Animation Workshop. This option leads to an MFA. The BA prepares students for careers in the entertainment industry or to apply for entry into the MFA program. The BA culminates with a professional internship and final project. MFA students will graduate with an original film. UCLA TFT alumni have been hired at places such as DreamWorks Animation, Sony Pictures Animation, Nickelodeon, Walt Disney Imagineering, Pixar, Netflix, Amazon, NBCUniversal, PBS, and Titmouse. 

The Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (ATEC) program at University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) launched in 2002, making it the state’s first arts and technology degree. Housed in the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology (Bass School), the program leads to a BA, MA, MFA, or PhD. BA students may concentrate in Animation and Games (A&G), while MFA students may specialize in Animation or Creative Practice. The BA and MFA are STEM-designated. MA and PhD students may focus their studies in areas such as animation, science and technology, or games. Culminating experiences may include a capstone project, thesis, or research project with exhibition. Graduates can be found at places such as Pixar, Google, Activision Blizzard, Disney, LAIKA, NBCUniversal, Amazon, Gearbox Software, Microsoft, Dell, IBM, RTX, Meta, and Verizon.

University of Central Florida (UCF) provides several paths to study animation. At the undergraduate level, students can earn an Emerging Media BFA with an Animation and Visualization track (formerly Experimental Animation) or the Character Animation track. At the graduate level options include the Interactive Entertainment MS; Digital Media MA; or Emerging Media MFA with an Animation and Visual Effects track. As part of UCF’s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA), students benefit from internships with major studios and 24/7 access to state-of the art production studios. UCF FIEA graduates are routinely hired at places such as Pixar, Electronic Arts (EA), Disney, Marvel, Epic Games, Google, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Apple, DreamWorks, Gameloft, and Blizzard Entertainment. 

San Jose State University (SJSU) provides several paths to study animation. Options include the Design Studies BA with a specialization in Animation and Illustration; BFA degrees in Animation and Illustration (ANI BFA) and Digital Media Art (BA DMA); a Digital Media Art MFA; and a Master of Design (MDes) with a specialization in Animation. Across programs students benefit from immersive courses taught by industry professionals; internships; guest speakers from places such as Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), and DreamWorks; and access to state-of-the-art production facilities and studios. Graduates have gone on to land positions at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Sony Pictures, Microsoft, Pixar, Blizzard Entertainment, Google, Disney, NBCUniversal, Lucasfilm, Nickelodeon, 20th Century Studios, and Cartoon Network. 

The Animation Department at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) has an Animation BFA program that allows students to present first-year projects at the college’s very own Brant Gallery. Other program highlights include dedicated state-of-the-art stop motion stations, classrooms, digital studios, and labs; courses taught by industry professionals; internships; collaborative projects; and campus events such as screenings and exhibitions. Students will graduate with a market-ready animated work and a professional portfolio. Graduates work at places such as Nickelodeon, Disney, Warner Bros. Animation, Netflix, Titmouse, Epic Games, LAIKA, FableVision Studios, Adventure Time, and Storm8.

The School of Art at California State University, Long Beach (Cal State Long Beach or CSULB) has several paths to study animation. Options include a multidisciplinary Art BA with an option in Studio Art; an Art BFA with Animation and Pre-production tracks; the Cinema BA with a Post-Production track; and an Art MFA with a Studio Art concentration and Illustration/Animation track. Across programs students benefit from industry partnerships, guest lecturers, and professional internships. Programs culminate with an animated film or studio project. Graduates are routinely hired with partners such as Pixar, DreamWorks, Activision Blizzard, Cartoon Network, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Sony Pictures Animation.

The College of Motion Picture Arts at Florida State University (FSU) has an intensive four-year conservatory program that focuses on CG animation. Leading to a BFA in Animation, the program limits each cohort to just 10 students. Courses and collaborative projects take place in an environment that functions like today's major studios. Students have 24/7 access as well as access to the Torchlight Center for Motion Picture Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Throughout the BFA program students will complete four major films. Graduates are routinely hired at places such as Disney, Cartoon Network, Epic Games, Nickelodeon, Pixar, Sony Pictures Imageworks, DreamWorks, Electronic Arts (EA), NBCUniversal, Xbox Game Studios, Warner Bros., Apple, HBO, Lucasfilm Animation, and Netflix. 

The College of Arts and Media (CAM) at University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) houses the Department of Visual Arts (VA) and the Digital Animation Center (DAC). The department is home to the Visual Arts BFA with an emphasis in 3D Graphics and Animation. Students in the program will work and learn in the DAC, which is a state-of-the-art facility that houses labs, studios, and production areas. All students also have opportunities to complete an internship at places such as Disney and NBCUniversal. The culminating experience for the program is the completion of an industry-ready film and screening at the Visual Arts Thesis Exhibition at Redline Contemporary Art Center or other venue. Program alumni can be found at places such as Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney, Paramount Pictures, Cartoon Network, DreamWorks, Lucasfilm, Warner Bros. Animation, Nickelodeon, Sony, HBO, Google, and Apple.

The Creative Media Institute for Film and Digital Arts (CMI) at New Mexico State University (NMSU) houses a Bachelor of Creative Media Animation and Visual Effects (BCM-ANVE) with options in 2D Production Studio, and 3D & VFX Production Studio; a Digital Filmmaking BCM with animation electives; and an 18 credit-hour Animation and Visual Effects minor. All programs provide access to state-of-the-art animation lab, production space, post-production lab, and digital projection screening room. The BCM-ANVE program culminates with an animated film that can be entered into the Las Cruces International Film Festival. The Digital Filmmaking BCM culminates with an individual demo and promotion package. NMSU graduates have gone on to land positions at places such as DreamWorks, Disney, Amazon, Pixar, IBM, Lockheed Martin, NASA, the City of Las Cruces, and Rolls-Royce.

The College of Design at North Carolina State University (NC State) houses the Department of Media Arts, Design and Technology (MADTech). Within the department are three paths to study animation including the Bachelor of Art + Design (BAD), Masters of Art + Design (MAD), and Art + Design minor. All degree-seeking students will complete the interdisciplinary first-year experience, which includes workshops and studios with other majors. Other program benefits include professional internships and participation in the study abroad program. Examples of past locations include Prague, Greece, and Chile. Programs culminate with an animation project. Graduates can be found at places such as Apple, Nike, Google, Microsoft, Razorfish, Amazon, and IBM.

University of South Florida (USF) is home to the College of Design, Art, and Performance. Within the college is the School of Art and Art History, which has a Studio Art program leading to a BA, BFA, MFA, or minor. An Animation and Digital Modeling concentration is open to students in all programs. Other Studio Art highlights include travel to Miami art fairs, London, Venice, Paris, and New York through the Summer Art Program; participation in public art exhibitions; The Paris or London Middlesex Program; museum and other internships; and self-directed projects. Programs culminate with a final project and presentation. Graduates can be found at places such as Disney, Microsoft, Google, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, Universal, The Dali Museum, Rolling Stone, Dell, Vogue, Morean Arts Center, and STRAZ. 

The School of Art at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) provides several paths to study animation. Options include the Digital Arts BFA with a concentration in Animation (2D or 3D); the Digital Arts BA and MFA; and a Digital Arts minor. Across programs, students have access to dozens of state-of-the-art spaces modeled after real-world production studios, labs, and research centers. Students also have opportunities to gain hands-on experience through internships at places such as Disney, Pixar, and the Museum of Modern Art; study abroad at BGSU’s partner school in Florence, Italy; and work in BGSU’s professional large-format printing studio. Programs culminate with a final project to be screened at School of Art's Annual Exhibition and Film Festival. BGSU alumni can be found at places such as DreamWorks Animation, Blizzard Entertainment, Apple, Epic Games, and American Greetings.

The College of Arts and Media at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is home to the Department of Art. Within the department is an Animation BFA that begins the Workshop in Art Studio and History (WASH) program. To enter the major, students must pass a BFA Portfolio Review in their second year. Advanced coursework and production take place in a studio-like environment, with activities led by industry professionals. The program culminates with a professional portfolio that includes a website, digital reel, and marketing materials customized for the animation, games, and film industries. Some graduates go on to pursue graduate studies at places such as SCAD or UT Dallas. Others can be found at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Zynga, Perkins & Will, Powerhouse Animation, and 900lbs.

Geer College of the Arts at Kennesaw State University (KSU) is home to the School of Art and Design (SOAAD). Within the school are two paths to study animation including the Digital Animation BFA and the MA in Art and Design (MAAD) with a Digital Animation concentration. The BFA has both 2D and 3D Digital Animation pathways. Across programs, students have access to state-of-the-art studios and the Bernard A. Zuckerman Museum of Art. Students also benefit from professional development through workshops, internships, and other experiential learning activities. The BFA program culminates with a professional animation reel. MAAD students will complete a final project or thesis to graduate. KSU graduates can be found at places such as Disney, Warner Bros., Microsoft, CNN, and Scientific Games.

The School of Art and Art History at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) has two paths to study animation including the Art BFA and MFA. With faculty advisor approval, students can concentrate in an area such as New Media Arts (Animation, Interaction, Digital Technology); Moving Image (Film, Video, Time-Based Media); or Studio Arts (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture). BFA students have opportunities to complete a professional internship. MFA students can live and work in Berlin through the month-long Berlin Residency Program. Both programs culminate with a thesis project and exhibition. Graduates can be found at places such as DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Warner Bros., Microsoft, Google, Apple, NetherRealm Studios, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago, and Adler Planetarium. 

Louisiana State University (LSU) provides several paths to study animation. Options include the Studio Art BFA (Digital Art); Digital Art BA and MFA; the interdisciplinary Digital Media Arts and Engineering (DMAE) MS and minor; and a Digital Media Art (DMART) minor. All students have access to state-of-the-art production spaces such as the XR Studio Brain Bar; the Digital Twin Studio; and the XR Studio. All students may participate in the internship program and work in the DMAE Digital Media Center on LSU's campus. This shared space with Electronic Art’s (EA) North American Test Center allows students to collaborate with accomplished animators, digital artists, and programmers. Graduates have been hired at places such as Lucasfilm, Electronic Arts (EA), DreamWorks, Pixar, and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The School of Fine Arts at University of Connecticut (UConn) provides several paths to study animation. Options include the Digital Media and Design BA (DMD BA) with a customized concentration in areas from Animation to Video Production; the 3D Animation BFA; a Motion Design and Animation BFA (MDA BFA); and Art BA and BFA degrees with an Illustration/Animation concentration. Programs are collaborative and project-based with access to state-of-the-art production facilities and internship opportunities. Programs culminate with a project and exhibition held in the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts. Graduates have landed positions at places such as Disney, Epic Games, Lego, HBO, Pixar, XVIVO Scientific Animation, NBCUniversal, Google, Viacom, Stoopid Buddy Studios, World Wide Wrestling Entertainment (WWE,) YouTube, Blur Studio, CBS, NBC, and Bit Fry Game Studios. 

University of Wisconsin – Stout (UW-Stout) has a Cooperative Education and Internship Program (CEIP) which highlights partnerships with Sony, Target, 3M, Forbes, and Thomson Reuters, among others. The only career-focused polytechnic university in Wisconsin and Minnesota, UW-Stout houses a School of Art and Design (SOAD), which has an Animation and Digital Media BFA program, and a Design MFA with an Animation and Digital Media focus. Programs are collaborative and cross-disciplinary with access to dedicated studios, labs, and galleries. The BFA culminates with an animation capstone. The culminating experience for the Design MFA is the Creative Thesis in Design with a public lecture or exhibition. With a 99% success rate, SOAD alumni go on to work at places such as DreamWorks, Disney, Activision, Shutterfly, Apple, Cisco, 3M, Target, iNet, Rouge Studios, and Fantasy Flight Games (FGG). 

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is home to the School of the Arts (VCUarts). Within the school is the Department of Kinetic Imaging, which provides BFA and MFA degrees in Kinetic Imaging, and an 18 credit hour Animation minor. The degree programs explore video, animation, emerging media, and sound. Students can also add the Animation minor or customize a focus in animation through electives. The BFA culminates with a final project and presentation. The MFA culminates with an exhibition at VCU’s Anderson Gallery. Graduates have gone on to secure roles at places such as Disney, Electronic Arts (EA), DreamWorks, Marvel, Sony Pictures Imageworks, MTV, and DC Comics. 

Indiana University Indianapolis (IU Indianapolis) is home to the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering. Within the school is a Media Arts and Sciences BS (MAS BS) program with a specialization in 3D Graphics and Animation. All MAS students have access to state-of-the-art production facilities such as Media Arts Research and Learning Arcade (MARLA), the Emerging technologies Lab, and Video Editing Lab (VELa). Students may also participate in the study abroad experience in Greece and the internship program. The MAS BS culminates with a final project and exhibition. Graduates can be found at places such as Pixar, Rockstar Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Blizzard Entertainment, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Digital Domain, Owlchemy Labs, and Gearbox Software.