| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh |
| 2 | Drexel University | Philadelphia |
| 3 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia |
| 4 | Pennsylvania Western University | Edinboro |
| 5 | Moore College of Art and Design | Philadelphia |
Our 2026 ranking -our fifteenth annual- of the top animation school programs in Pennsylvania. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) houses the Robotics Institute and the Integrative Design, Arts and Technology (IDeATe) Network. Together, the institute and network provide an Animation and Special Effects minor for students in any CMU major. Courses for this 45-unit program are immersive and project-based, with titles such as Bipedal Rigging for Animation Production; Experimental Capture; and Storytelling Through Effects Animation. For animation students seeking a BFA, Carnegie Mellon also has an Electronic and Time-Based Media BFA (ETB BFA) program that explores areas such as animation, digital storytelling, and experimental game design. CMU ETB and Animation alumni are routinely hired at places such Walt Disney Animation Studios, Electronic Arts (EA), Sony, DreamWorks Animation, Blizzard Entertainment, MTV, Comedy Central, Take-Two Interactive, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Games.
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. Program alumni have also been hired at places such as DreamWorks, Pixar, Microsoft, Disney, and NCSoft.
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) provides several paths to study animation. Options include BA degrees in Fine Arts, and Fine Arts and Design; a Bachelor’s of Engineering and Science (BSE) in Digital Media Design (DMD); the DMD minor; and a Computer Graphics and Game Technology (CGGT) Engineering MS (MSE). Across programs, students have access to state-of-the-art production facilities such as the SIG Center for Computer Graphics and Penn Animation Research Lab. Across programs, graduates are routinely hired at places such as DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Microsoft, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation, Electronic Arts (EA), Google, Zynga, Activision Blizzard, and Sony.
Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) houses a Media Arts BFA program with a concentration in Animation. Program highlights include hands-on projects; studio tours (DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, and Disney, to name a few); access to state-of-the-art production facilities; trips to animation conferences and festivals in Los Angeles, New York, and Toronto; courses taught by industry professionals; visiting animators, storyboard artists, and directors; professional internships; and participation in the Animation Club. The program culminates with the Animation Production Capstone consisting of an animated work and presentation. Graduates can be found at places such as Blizzard Entertainment, DreamWorks, Pixar, iHeartMedia, Nickelodeon, Disney, Cumulus Media, WHYY, and Blair Image Elements.
Moore College of Art and Design (Moore) has an Animation and Game Arts BFA program that highlights a guaranteed $1,000 paid internship. Students have interned at places such as ARG! Cartoon Animation, Quadratron Games, and KiwiCo. Other program highlights include access to state-of-the-art animation labs, studios, and gaming lounges; a required summer internship; visiting artist talks featuring animators who have worked with Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, and more; and participation in AniJams. Minors in Animation and Game Arts, and Comics are also available. Ther BFA program culminates with the Senior Studio and Senior Thesis courses. Graduates enjoy a 97% success rate. Moore alumni have been hired at places such as Nickelodeon, Apple, Smithsonian Institution, NBCUniversal, Tyco, Penguin Publishing Group, Twitch, Los Angeles Film Festival, Philadelphia Eagles, and Brazen Animation.
