What are the top Connecticut illustration schools for 2025?
| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Hartford | Hartford |
| 2 | University of Connecticut | Storrs |
| 3 | Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic |
| 4 | Central Connecticut State University | New Britain |
| 5 | Sacred Heart University | Fairfield |
Our 2025 ranking of the top five illustration schools in Connecticut. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
1. University of Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford Art School (HAS) at University of Hartford (UHart) provides BFA and MFA degrees in Illustration. An 18 credit hour Illustration minor is also available. All HAS students have opportunities to complete an internship with partners such as ESPN and Art Basil/Bass Museum. Other program benefits include visiting artists; study abroad experiences at institutions such as Glasgow School of Art (Scotland), and Slade School of Fine Art (London); and studio tours at places such as Nickelodeon, Electronic Arts (EA), and DreamWorks. BFA graduates go on to establish careers in areas such as publishing, animation, comics, editorial, advertising, game art, and exhibit design. Illustration MFA alumni are prepared for leadership roles across industries, teaching positions, or to launch their own studios.
2. University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
The School of Fine Arts at University of Connecticut (UConn) houses the Department of Art and Art History (AAH). Within the department is an Animation/Illustration concentration for students in the Art BFA and Studio Art BA programs. Students have the opportunity to create projects in digital and analog environments including children’s illustration; comics, cartoons, and graphic novels; book, editorial, and institutional illustration; and 2D and stop-motion animation. UConn Illustration/Animation graduates go on to land positions at places such as Pixar, Lego, Google, and Stoopid Buddy Studios. Some graduates also go on to enroll in MFA programs at places such as Yale University or Royal College of Art (London).
3. Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, Connecticut
The Art and Art History Department at Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) houses an Art BA program with an Illustration concentration. Electives for the program allow students to develop skills in areas such as animation, scientific illustration, and bookmaking. Other program benefits include access to state-of-the-art digital and traditional studios in ECSU’s Fine Arts Instructional Center; opportunities to display student artwork in the campus Art Gallery; and participation in the ECSU Internship Program. The program culminates with the Senior Seminar in Studio Art Capstone. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in areas such as children’s book publishing, advertising, magazine and newspaper publishing, animation, and greeting card design.
4. Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, Connecticut
The Carol A. Ammon College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) houses the Department of Art and Design. Within the department is an Art BA with an Illustration Studio option that features hands-on courses such as Comics and the Graphic Novel; 3D Design; Sequential Art and Advanced Drawing; and Illustration I-II. Other program features include small class sizes; internships; and study abroad experiences. For the final project, students can choose between the Professional Level Portfolio or Research Project in Art. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in areas such as children’s book publishing, animation, comic books, newspaper and magazine publishing, advertising, and game design.
5. Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut
The School of Communication, Media and the Arts (SCMA) at Sacred Heart University (SHU) is home to the Department of Art and Design. Within the department is an Art and Design BA program with a 33 credit hour Illustration concentration, and an 18 credit hour Illustration minor. All students benefit from opportunities to join student clubs such as SCMA Student Art Club; access to the state-of-the-art Digital Design Laboratory and five art studios for illustration, graphic design, and painting projects; and study abroad experiences in places such as Spain, Ireland, Kenya, Switzerland, Japan, and India. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles in areas such as children’s book publishing, cartooning, animation, graphic novels, game design, newspaper and magazine publishing, graphic design, and medical illustration.
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