| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington University in St. Louis | St. Louis |
| 2 | Kansas City Art Institute | Kansas City |
| 3 | Webster University | St. Louis and Webster Groves |
| 4 | Missouri State University | Springfield |
| 5 | Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau |
Our 2025 ranking of the top illustration schools in Missouri. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
The Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) is home to the College of Art, which houses BA and BFA degrees in Studio Art and Design with a major in Communication Design, and the Illustration + Visual Culture MFA (MFA-IVC). Communication Design can craft an unofficial concentration in illustration through electives. Minors allow students to enhance the degree further by selecting courses in areas such as the illustrated book studio, drawing, and painting. Undergraduate programs culminate with a capstone displayed in a public exhibition and reviewed by art and design professionals. All MFA-IVC students will complete an internship and two final thesis courses to graduate. Program alumni go on to establish careers in all areas of art and design, publishing, advertising, and entertainment, among others.
The Department of Illustration at Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) is one of the school’s largest and fastest growing departments. Within the department is a BFA program that provides the opportunity to work in the on-campus agency, MICRO. Clients have included the Kansas City Royals and Children’s Mercy Hospital. All Illustration BFA students will also complete a mandatory internship with places such as The Kansas City Star, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Boulevard Brewing Company, and The American Jazz Museum. The program culminates with an exhibition. Graduates have been hired at major companies and studios such as Nickelodeon, Hallmark, Nike, American Greetings, and MTV.
The Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts at Webster University (Webster) houses the Department of Art, Design, and Art History (DADAH). Within the DADAH is an Art BFA with an Illustration emphasis, and an Illustration certificate. Course examples across programs include Topics in Illustration and Drawing; Character Design; Illustration; Comic Book Creation; and Professional Practice for Illustrators. The BFA program culminates with the Senior Exhibition. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in areas such as children’s book publishing; animation; game art; courtroom illustration; fashion design; scientific and medical illustration; graphic design; toy design; storyboard art; patent illustration; and forensic art.
Missouri State University (MSU) houses the Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts and Letters. Within the college is the largest publicly funded Art and Design department in the state, which houses a Design BFA program with Illustration and Graphic Design and Illustration tracks. All students benefit from hands-on learning opportunities through professional internships and service-learning courses; public presentations; volunteer and docent experiences at places such as Carolla Arts Exhibition Center and Brick City, Cabot, and Taylor Galleries; participation in conferences; and exhibitions of art and research. The program culminates with a public presentation of final design projects. Graduates are prepared to pursue titles such as Children’s Book Illustrator, Storyboard Artist, Cartoonist, Graphic Novelist, Comic Book Artist, Character Designer, Advertising Illustrator, Concept Artist, and Art Educator.
Holland College of Arts and Media at Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) is home to the Department of Art + Design, which houses the customizable Art BA and BFA programs. Students can create their own area of specialization or select elective courses with that focus on illustration. Course examples include Illustration; Paper, Book, and Fibers; Design Communications (with an emphasis on Illustration); Interactive Design; Visual Narratives; and 3D Production for Interactive Media. Programs culminate with the Capstone Project. With a 95% success rate within six months of graduation, SEMO Art alumni are prepared to pursue positions with children’s book and comic publishers, advertising agencies, game design studios, museums and galleries, graphic design firms, toy design companies, animation studios, newspapers and magazines, and medical illustration studios.
