Last updated August 25, 2026.

2026

What are the best animation school programs in Michigan for 2026?

Top 5 Animation School Programs in Michigan - 2026 College Rankings
RankingSchoolCityRanking by RegionNational Ranking
#1College for Creative StudiesDetroit#10 in Midwest#46
#2Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids and Grand Rapids#17 in MidwestUnranked
#3Central Michigan UniversityMount PleasantUnrankedUnranked
#4Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilantiUnrankedUnranked
#5Grand Valley State UniversityAllendaleUnrankedUnranked

Our 2026 ranking -our fifteenth annual- of the top animation school programs in Michigan. 

The criteria we used for the animation rankings consists, in no particular order, of the following: Academic reputation, Employment data, Admission selectivity, Depth and breadth of the program, Value as it relates to tuition and indebtedness, Graduation rate, and Retention rate. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.

1. College for Creative Studies, Detroit, Michigan
College for Creative Studies

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. 

College for Creative Studies — Ranking Factors

The following factors contribute to CCS' position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.

Academic Peer Recognition: Strong Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 3)
Faculty Size: Mid-Sized Faculty (Tier 3)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Highly Accessible (Tier 5)
Average Net Cost: Elevated Average Net Cost (Tier 4)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Low Graduation Rate (Tier 5)
First-Year Retention Rate: Moderate First-Year Student Retention (Tier 3)

Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.

2. Ferris State University, Big Rapids and Grand Rapids, Michigan
Ferris State University

The College of Business at Ferris State University (FSU or Ferris) is home to the BAS Digital Animation and Game Design BAS with a 3D Animation concentration. FSU’s Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD) houses the Digital Art and Design BFA program. Students have the option to develop portfolios in 2D Animation, 3D Game Art, Visual Development, Interaction Design, or Motion Design. Concentrations in Entertainment Art and Multimedia Design are also available. Other program highlights include access to state-of-the-art production facilities and professional internships. Graduates go on to establish careers at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Disney, Epic Games, Idol Minds, R/GA, and YouTube. 

Ferris State University — Ranking Factors

The following factors contribute to Ferris' s position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.

Academic Peer Recognition: Moderate Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 4)
Faculty Size: Small Faculty (Tier 4)
Graduate Employment: Fair Employment Outcomes (Tier 4)
Admissions Selectivity: Accessible (Tier 4)
Average Net Cost: Minimal Average Net Cost (Tier 1)
Student Indebtedness: Moderate Student Debt (Tier 3)
Graduation Rate: Fair Graduation Rate (Tier 4)
First-Year Retention Rate: Moderate First-Year Student Retention (Tier 3)

Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.

3. Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Central Michigan University

Central Michigan University (CMU) is home to the College of the Arts and Media (CAM), which Houses the Art major with an Animation Concentration. Leading to a BAA or BFA, the program allows students to customize their studies with options such as Character Performance for Animators; Digital Sculpting for Animation; or Alternative Strategies in Animation. Other program highlights include participation in gallery exhibitions; access to the Animation Computer Lab, Traditional Media Lab, and Stop Motion Animation Lab; opportunities to work on real-world projects; internships; and the option to join the Animation Super Station, which hosts film screenings and guest speakers. The BAA culminates with a capstone. BFA students will complete a thesis project and exhibition to graduate. Program alumni can be found at places such as Paramount, Nexstar Media Group, ABC, Nike, and Creative Element. 

Central Michigan University — Ranking Factors

The following factors contribute to CMU's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.

Academic Peer Recognition: Moderate Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 4)
Faculty Size: Small Faculty (Tier 4)
Graduate Employment: Fair Employment Outcomes (Tier 4)
Admissions Selectivity: Highly Accessible (Tier 5)
Average Net Cost: Low-mid Average Net Cost (Tier 2)
Student Indebtedness: Substantial Student Debt (Tier 5)
Graduation Rate: Fair Graduation Rate (Tier 4)
First-Year Retention Rate: Moderate First-Year Student Retention (Tier 3)

Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.

4. Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan
Eastern Michigan University

The College of Arts and Sciences at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) is home to the School of Art and Design. Within the school is a Simulation, Animation and Gaming (SAG) program with minor and BS options. Students in both programs have access to state-of-the-art production facilities. Other BS program highlights include internships and opportunities to complete several projects culminating in a professional portfolio. Course examples include Introduction to Simulation, Animation and Gaming; 2D Animation; Advanced Principles in Animation; Story Development; Animation Studio; and Unity I-II. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles in the entertainment, games, simulation, and technology industries. Just a few potential employers include Disney, Pixar, and Adobe. 

Eastern Michigan University — Ranking Factors

The following factors contribute to EMU's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.

Academic Peer Recognition: Moderate Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 4)
Faculty Size: Mid-Sized Faculty (Tier 3)
Graduate Employment: Fair Employment Outcomes (Tier 4)
Admissions Selectivity: Accessible (Tier 4)
Average Net Cost: Low-mid Average Net Cost (Tier 2)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Low Graduation Rate (Tier 5)
First-Year Retention Rate: Fair First Year Student Retention (Tier 4)

Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.

5. Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan
Grand Valley State University

The Department of Visual and Media Arts (VMA) at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is home to the Film and Video program. Leading to a BA or BS, the program explores areas such as animation, scriptwriting, experimental film, sound design, and new media. Other program features include participation in campus exhibitions and screening events; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; visiting artists; study abroad experiences in places such as the UK and Spain; and professional internships. VMA students have interned at places such as Paris Films and Brightly. Programs culminate with a final project. Graduates have worked with or are employed with places such as DreamWorks, Publicis Sapient, Disney, Voyage Pictures, Detroit Public Television, Match Frame Creative, M-1 Studios, Contact Light Films, WKTV, 52 Watt Studios, and Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. 

Grand Valley State University — Ranking Factors

The following factors contribute to GVSU's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.

Academic Peer Recognition: Moderate Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 4)
Faculty Size: Compact Faculty (Tier 5)
Graduate Employment: Moderate Employment Outcomes (Tier 3)
Admissions Selectivity: Highly Accessible (Tier 5)
Average Net Cost: Low-mid Average Net Cost (Tier 2)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Fair Graduation Rate (Tier 4)
First-Year Retention Rate: Moderate First-Year Student Retention (Tier 3)

Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.

Animation

Locations

Rankings