What are the top visual effects schools in the South for 2026?
| Ranking | School | State | National Ranking | Ranking by State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Savannah College of Art and Design | Georgia | #2 Nationally | #1 in Georgia |
| 2 | The DAVE School | Florida | #13 Nationally | #1 in Florida |
| 3 | Georgia Institute of Technology | Georgia | #17 Nationally | #2 in Georgia |
| 4 | University of Central Florida | Florida | #18 Nationally | #2 in Florida |
| 5 | Florida State University | Florida | #22 Nationally | #3 in Florida |
Our 2026 rankings of the Top 5 visual effect schools in the South, our fifth annual rankings for VFX. For reference, we define the South as Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
1. Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Georgia
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) provides several paths to study visual effects. Options include the Visual Effects and Technical Animation BFA, and MA and MFA degrees in Visual Effects. Across programs, students have opportunities to work with the school’s in-house design studio, SCADPro. Partner companies include NASA, Electronic Arts (EA) and Disney. Other program highlights include access to a 60,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art digital media center (including a 75-seat theater); 800 networked computers; and the option to complete the programs in Atlanta or Savannah. SCAD VFX graduates can be found at places such as Pixar, Electronic Arts (EA), DreamWorks, Lucasfilm, Microsoft, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Blizzard Entertainment, Disney, and The Mill.
Savannah College of Art and Design — Ranking Factors
The following factors contribute to Savannah College of Art and Design's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Elite Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 1)
Faculty Size: Large Faculty (Tier 2)
Graduate Employment: Exceptional Employment Outcomes (Tier 1)
Admissions Selectivity: Accessible (Tier 4)
Average Net Cost: Substantial Average Net Cost (Tier 5)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Moderate Graduation Rate (Tier 3)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong Student Retention After 1 Year (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
2. The DAVE School, Orlando, Florida
Located on the backlot of Universal Studios Florida, The DAVE School provides several paths to study visual effects. Options include the Digital Arts and Technology BS with a Visual Effects Production or Virtual Production track, and diplomas in Visual Effects Production, FX Production, and Virtual Production. Across programs, students have the opportunity to create market-ready productions to be included in their culminating demo reels and portfolios. DAVE alumni can be found at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), MPC, Disney, Marvel, Sony, Riot Games, Walmart Creative Studio, Apple, Blizzard Entertainment, and FuseFX.
The DAVE School — Ranking Factors
The following factors contribute to The DAVE School's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Elite Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 1)
Faculty Size: Compact Faculty (Tier 5)
Graduate Employment: Exceptional Employment Outcomes (Tier 1)
Admissions Selectivity: Highly Accessible (Tier 5
Average Net Cost: Substantial Average Net Cost (Tier 5)
Student Indebtedness: Substantial Student Debt (Tier 5)
Graduation Rate: Low Graduation Rate (Tier 5)
First-Year Retention Rate: Low Student Retention After 1 Year (Tier 5)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
3. Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
The Computational Media BS (BSCM) at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an ideal program for students seeking careers in visual effects. With 12 concentrations, students have opportunities to focus in areas from filmmaking to games. Course examples across concentrations include Digital Video Special Effects; Intelligence and Interactive Systems; Video Production; Computer Animation; Interactive Narrative; and Film as Technology. Students can add a Film Studies minor, which includes courses such as Advanced Video Production, and Video Editing and Post-Production. Georgia Tech alumni are routinely hired at places such as Boeing, Google, DreamWorks, Microsoft, HBO, Disney, Amazon, Cartoon Network, NBCUniversal, Apple, Electronic Arts (EA), and Warner Bros. Discovery.
Georgia Institute of Technology — Ranking Factors
The following factors contribute to Georgia Institute of Technology's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Excellent Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 2)
Faculty Size: Compact Faculty (Tier 5)
Graduate Employment: Moderate Employment Outcomes (Tier 3)
Admissions Selectivity: Highly Selective (Tier 1)
Average Net Cost: Minimal Average Net Cost (Tier 1)
Student Indebtedness: Moderate Student Debt (Tier 3)
Graduation Rate: Exceptional Graduation Rate (Tier 1)
First-Year Retention Rate: Exceptional Student Retention After 1 Year (Tier 1)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
4. University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
The School of Visual Arts and Design (SVAD) at University of Central Florida (UCF) houses an Emerging Media program with BFA and MFA options. The BFA has an Animation and Visualization track that explores VFX, 2D/3D Animation, Visual Storytelling, and Stop Motion. The MFA has an Animation and Visual Effects track for students seeking advanced roles in the entertainment industry. All programs feature projects and courses led by active industry professionals; access to state-of-the-art labs and production facilities; and professional internships at local studios. SVAD graduates can be found at places such as NASA, Lockheed Martin, Blizzard Entertainment, the U.S. Navy, Electronic Arts (EA), Disney, Microsoft, Epic Games, Nickelodeon, Weta FX, Pixar, Netflix, Riot Games, LAIKA, and Sony.
University of Central Florida— Ranking Factors
The following factors contribute to University of Central Florida's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Strong Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 3)
Faculty Size: Compact Faculty (Tier 5)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Selective (Tier 2)
Average Net Cost: Minimal Average Net Cost (Tier 1)
Student Indebtedness: Low Student Debt (Tier 2)
Graduation Rate: Moderate Graduation Rate (Tier 3)
First-Year Retention Rate: Exceptional Student Retention After 1 Year (Tier 1)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
5. Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
The College of Motion Picture Arts (MPA) at Florida State University (FSU) houses an MPA program with BFA and MFA options. The BFA has a concentration in Animation and Digital Arts, and the MFA is a Conservatory program marked by intensive studio training managed by working industry professionals. Students in both programs can specialize in VFX. Across programs, students also benefit from 24/7 access to state-of-the-art production facilities; small class sizes with a maximum of 15 students; and internships at places such as Blizzard Entertainment, DreamWorks, and Pixar. With an employment rate between 92% and 96%, MPA graduates have been hired at places such as Disney, HBO, Netflix, CBS, DreamWorks, Apple, NBCUniversal, ESPN, Panavision, and AMC Entertainment.
Florida State University — Ranking Factors
The following factors contribute to Florida State University's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Excellent Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 2)
Faculty Size: Compact Faculty (Tier 5)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Highly Selective (Tier 1)
Average Net Cost: Minimal Average Net Cost (Tier 1)
Student Indebtedness: Low Student Debt (Tier 2)
Graduation Rate: Strong Graduation Rate (Tier 2)
First-Year Retention Rate: Exceptional Student Retention After 1 Year (Tier 1)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.