| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Hartford | Hartford |
| 2 | University of Connecticut | Storrs |
| 3 | Sacred Heart University | Fairfield |
| 4 | Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic |
| 5 | Central Connecticut State University | New Britain |
Our 2026 ranking of the top five illustration schools in Connecticut. 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 the ranking criteria, click here.
Hartford Art School (HAS) at University of Hartford (UHart) provides several paths to study illustration. Options include the Illustration BFA, MFA, and minor. All degree-seeking students have the opportunity to intern with UHart partners such as Art Basil/Bass Museum and ESPN. MFA students also benefit from travel to places such as New York City, and all students have opportunities to participate in field trips to studios such as DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, and Electronic Arts (EA). HAS Illustration graduates have secured roles at places such as HarperCollins, Pentagram, Starbucks, ESPN, and Sterling Publishing.
The School of Fine Arts at University of Connecticut (UConn) houses the Department of Art and Art History (AAH). Within the department are the ART BA and BFA programs with a concentration in Animation/Illustration. The concentration provides opportunities to pursue projects in areas such as cartoons, comics, and graphic novels; children’s, editorial, book, and corporate/institutional illustration; environment and character; 2-D and stop-motion animation; and product design. Other program highlights include access to state-of-the-art labs and studios; internships; workshop; guest speakers; and study abroad experiences. Graduates can be found at places such as The New York Times, Pentagram, The Met, Pixar, Lego, Marvel, The New Yorker, Google Creative Lab, Macmillan Publishers, and ESPN.
The Department of Art and Design at Sacred Heart University (SHU) provides two paths to study illustration including an Art and Design BA with an Illustration concentration, and the 18 credit hour Illustration minor. Across programs, students benefit from gallery trips to nearby New York City and local creative firms; focused topics such as editorial illustration, graphic novel production, and digital visual storytelling; professional internships; access to the state-of-the-art studios and design labs; and study abroad experiences in Japan, Switzerland, and India, among others. Graduates have secured positions at places such as Hearst Magazines, Disney, A&E, NBCUniversal, MLB Network, and Nike.
The Art and Art History Department at Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) houses an Art BA program with an Illustration concentration. To enhance the degree, students may add a custom track such as Magazine Design; Scientific Illustration; Bookmaking; 2D Animation; and Fashion Illustration. Other program highlights include art projects for local organizations; professional internships at places such as the Connecticut Office of the Arts and Yale University Art Gallery; access to state-of-the-art studios and labs; and opportunities to display artwork in the campus Art Gallery. Graduates can be found at places such as the Associate Press, ESPN, Boston Celtics, Red Rock Branding, and Timex Group.
The Department of Art and Design at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) houses an Art BA program with an Illustration Studio concentration. Program highlights include small class sizes; hands-on courses such as Sequential Art and Advanced Drawing, 3D Design, Comics and the Graphic Novels, and Illustration I-III; access to state-of-the-art production facilities and traditional studios; and professional internships. The program culminates with a Senior Seminar in Studio Art Capstone + Portfolio. Graduates have gone on to secure roles at places such as Cronin Marketing and Advertising, Accenture, LUX Studio, Travelers Insurance, Spin Master, The Hartford, Goodway Technologies, and Hartford HealthCare.
