| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania College of Art and Design | Lancaster |
| 2 | Moore College of Art and Design | Philadelphia |
| 3 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia |
| 4 | Marywood University | Scranton |
| 5 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | Kutztown |
Our 2026 ranking of the top illustration schools in Pennsylvania. 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.
The Illustration BFA program at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (PCA&D) has Classical and Contemporary concentration options. Students can also add a certificate such as UX/UI Design, Filmmaking, or Packaging Design, or a minor such as Graphic Design or Animation and Game Art. An Illustration AFA is also available, as well as Design Thinking AA and BA programs with a concentration in Illustration. Degree-seeking students may participate in the PCA&D mentorship program and the annual Design in a Day event. Students are also required to complete an internship of campus or on campus at The Agency. Graduates have been hired at places such The Wall Street Journal, Nike, ESPN, Nickelodeon, Disney, Adidas, The New York Times, Bento Box Entertainment, A&E Network, and HBO.
Moore College of Art and Design (Moore) houses an Illustration BFA program with a guaranteed $1,000 paid internship. An Illustration minor that covers advertising, fashion, editorial, and publishing is also available. Across programs, students benefit from immersive workshops and critique sessions; field trips to comic cons; studio tours; access to state-of-the-art labs and illustration studios; and mentoring by industry professionals. The BFA program culminates with the Senior Studio and Senior Thesis courses. Moore graduates have been hired at places such as Penguin Publishing Group, Tyco, Amazon, Apple, Vanity Fair, Nickelodeon, Smithsonian Institution, Apple, NBCUniversal, Mattel, Comcast, and QVC.
The Stuart Weitzman School of Design at University of Pennsylvania (Penn) houses the Department of Fine Arts. Program options for students seeking careers in illustration include an interdisciplinary BA in Fine Arts (FNAR); the integrative Design BA (DSGN BA); and an Art MFA. Students in all programs can study illustration through required studio courses and unrestricted electives. Other program highlights include the access to state-of-the-art production facilities and the department’s offsite multiuse gallery, Postscript; the visiting artist lecture series; Penn’s partnership with the Institute of Contemporary Art; and professional internships. Graduates have been hired at places such as DreamWorks, Nike, Penguin Random House, Pixar, The Wall Street Journal, Hasbro, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), and Gameloft.
The School of Visual and Performing Arts at Marywood University provides several paths to study illustration. Options include the Illustration Studio Arts BFA; an MFA In Graphic Design and Illustration; an Illustration Minor; and a Sequential Art and Storytelling certificate. Across programs, students benefit from small class sizes; access to state-of-the-art studios and labs; hands-on learning experiences in Marywood’s five gallery spaces; and professional internships. Graduates have been hired by the Philadelphia Flyers, and at places such as WebFX, Cynosure, and Bright Age Digital Creative Agency.
The Department of Design at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (KU or Kutztown University) houses a Communication Design BFA program with a specialized track in Illustration. Recognized by the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), the program features opportunities to exhibit work at KU’s Sharadin Arts Building (SH); field trips to creative studios, museums, and conferences; access to dedicated art studios and computer labs; visiting artists and speakers; and portfolio building projects. Graduates have secured roles at places such as Canon USA, American Reading Company, Yuengling, and ArtSkills, Inc.
