What are the top midwest visual effects schools for 2025?
| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DePaul University | Illinois |
| 2 | Columbia College Chicago | Illinois |
| 3 | College for Creative Studies | Michigan |
| 4 | Purdue University | Indiana |
| 5 | School of the Art Institute of Chicago | Illinois |
Our 2025 list of the Top 5 Visual Effects Programs in the Midwest, our fourth annual rankings for VFX. For reference, we define the Midwest as Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. For an explanation of our ranking criteria, click here.
1. DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois
The School of Cinematic Arts at DePaul University (DePaul) houses Film and Television BA, BFA, MS, and MFA degree programs; the Animation BA, BFA, MA, and MFA; the Game Design BS and MFA; and the Game Programming BS and MS, among others. A Visual Effects Animation concentration is available. Across programs, students also have access to the state-of-the-art 60,000-square-foot DePaul Cinespace Studios and the LA Quarter Program with internship opportunities at place such as DreamWorks Nickelodeon, and Disney. Graduates go on to work at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), LAIKA, Cartoon Network, DreamWorks, Blizzard Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation, Nickelodeon, and Disney.
2. Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Columbia College Chicago provides several paths to study visual effects. These include Animation and Computer Graphics BA with a Cinema Visual Effects (CVFX) concentration, and the Film and Television BA with an Editing and Post-Sound concentration. Across programs, students have opportunities to work with studios such as DreamWorks and Nickelodeon through the Columbia College Chicago Semester in LA (SiLA) program. Students will also work and learn in the 35,500-square-foot facility known as the Media Production Center (MPC). Programs culminate with a short, festival-quality film. Graduates have landed positions at places such as Pixar, Microsoft, DreamWorks, Weta FX, Bethesda, Cartoon Network, Disney, BioWare, Warner Bros., Nickelodeon, and Bungie.
3. College for Creative Studies, Detroit, Michigan
The College for Creative Studies (CCS) is a Toon Boom Center of Excellence (COE) that provides two paths to study visual effects. This includes a Film BFA and the STEM-designated, Unreal authorized Entertainment Arts BFA with an Animation emphasis. Across programs, students have the opportunity to study visual effects through electives and produce their own films highlighting skills in their chosen focus area. Other program benefits include access to state-of-the-art production facilities; experiential learning opportunities such as internships, exhibitions, and faculty-led study abroad courses; and industry partnerships. Graduates go on to land positions at places such as Blizzard Entertainment, Disney, Marvel, Pixar, DreamWorks, Hulu, Activision, Cartoon Network, Sony Pictures, HBO, Nickelodeon, Google, Lucasfilm, Warner Bros., Netflix, Universal, DC Comics, Titmouse, and ABC.
4. Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
Purdue University (Purdue) is home to Purdue Polytechnic Institute (Purdue Polytechnic), which houses the ABET-accredited Department of Computer Graphics Technology (CGT). Programs for aspiring VFX artists here include the BS, MS, accelerated five-year BS/MS, and the CGT PhD. Students in all programs may concentrate in Animation and Visual Effects. Across programs, students have access to facilities such as the Visual Effects Lab; the Games Innovation Laboratory; IDEAlab; the Computer and Information Technology High Performance Computer and Cyberinfrastructure Laboratory (HPC-CRL); and Digital Enterprise Center (DEC). Programs culminate with a final project. With a 90% job placement rate, CGT graduates are routinely hired at places such as DreamWorks, Google, and Disney.
5. School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has a Film, Video, New Media, and Animation (FVNMA) Department that allows students to personalize their own pathway or focus in Interactive Art, VR/AR, and Web-Based Projects; Moving-Image Installation; Hand-Drawn and Digital 2D and 3D Animation; or Nonfiction and Narrative Film and Video. Course examples include Motion Graphics and Visual Effects; Experimental Technology Lab for 3D Animation; and Visualization and Storyboarding. Programs lead to a BFA or MFA in Studio. With a 92% employment (or continuing education) rate, SAIC graduates have been hired at places such as NASA, The Walt Disney Studios, Google, and YouTube.