Top 50 Animation BFA Degree Programs in the US – 2026 College Rankings

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) serves more than 18,500 students from the U.S. and 100 different countries. Hosting one of the world’s largest student-run film festivals and home to Savannah Studios—one of the largest university film studios in the U.S.—SCAD provides multiple paths to study animation. Options include the Animation BFA, BFA/MA, or BFA/MFA. Depending on the program, culminating experiences include a thesis, final project, or capstone. SCAD Animation alumni are routinely hired at places such as DreamWorks, Epic Games, Lucasfilm Animation, Nickelodeon, Electronic Arts (EA), Disney Animation, Pixar, 20th Century Studios, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros. Animation, Activision Blizzard, and Sony Pictures Animation. 

Ringling College of Art and Design (RCAD) has a Computer Animation BFA program that provides internship opportunities at places such as Pixar, Nickelodeon, and DreamWorks. Other program features include courses taught by industry professionals; guest speakers; and real-world projects with area studios. RCAD also houses a Motion Design BFA that explores 2D and 3D animation, visual effects (VFX), stop motion animation, graphic design, storytelling, and sound design. Programs culminate with a polished animated production. Graduates have gone on to work on several Oscar-nominated animation feature films and for studios such as Pixar, Weta FX, Disney Animation, Electronic Arts (EA), Cartoon Network, Lucasfilm, Nickelodeon, Sony Pictures Animation, LAIKA, and Blizzard Entertainment.

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is one of the nation’s oldest independent art and design colleges. Students in all programs benefit from hands-on learning with access to state-of-the-art production studios; collaborative study; experimental projects; workshops; the First Year in Florence program; and internship opportunities with both local and national studios. The RISD Film/Animation/Video (FAV) Department houses the FAV BFA program that allows students to focus in Animation, Live Action, or Open Media. The program culminates with a professional reel and portfolio to be presented at the RISD Senior Festival. Graduates are routinely hired at places such as Pixar, DreamWorks, HBO, and PBS. 

Gnomon is an immersive, industry-focused college led by more than 70 working professionals. Programs take place in an environment built to simulate some of the most active Hollywood studios. At the undergraduate level, Gnomon houses a Digital Production BFA with concentrations in Visual Effects Animation or Game Art. Both options focus on the production pipelines in film, games, and visual effects. Students also receive extensive training in industry software such as in Houdini, Maya, ZBrush, Unreal Engine, Nuke, V-Ray, and Adobe Substance 3D. All Gnomon students will graduate with a professional demo reel. Program alumni enjoy a 100% employment rate. They can be found at places such as DreamWorks, Marvel, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Electronic Arts (EA), Nickelodeon, Riot Games, Weta FX, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Blizzard Entertainment, Sony Pictures Imageworks, and Reel FX.

Established in 2010, Brigham Young University (BYU) Center for Animation is an Unreal Academic Partner and Houdini Certified School that accepts no more than 25 students each year. Students can apply to the center through BYU’s Animation BFA program or the Computer Science BS with an Animation and Games emphasis. Program highlights include faculty mentoring; collaborative projects; and opportunities to intern with major studios such as Pixar, DreamWorks, and Disney. Graduates have landed positions at places such as Sony Pictures Animation, Nickelodeon, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney, Blizzard Entertainment, Pixar, Hasbro, Riot Games, DreamWorks, and Digital Domain. 

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is home to the School of Film and Animation (SFA). This designated Center of Excellence (COE) by Toon Boon houses MAGIC Spell Studios—a 52,000 square foot state-of-the-art production and screening space. At the undergraduate level, RIT has a Film and Animation BFA with an Animation option, along with 2D, 3D, and Stop Motion Animation tracks. The program culminates with an industry-ready film and public screening event. RIT graduates are routinely hired at places such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, Electronic Arts (EA), Pixar, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Lucasfilm, PlayStation, and Epic Games.

The Film, Video, New Media, and Animation Department (FVNMA) at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) houses a Studio BFA program that explores hand-drawn and digital 2D/3D animation; moving-image installation; film and video; interactive art; and AR/VR. Other program benefits include the junior seminar Professional Development for Emerging Filmmakers; events such as artist talks, features screenings, and performances at the Siskel Film Center; and opportunities to gain hands-on experience presenting works through the FVNMA and Sound Festival, and the annual spring graduate and undergraduate exhibitions. The program culminates with a final project and exhibition. SAIC alumni have been hired at places such as Disney, the Whitney Museum, NASA, and YouTube. 

The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University (ASU) has an Art BFA program with the option to add an Animation concentration. Students can also study animation through electives. Other program highlights include access to state-of-the-art production facilities and internship opportunities with local studios. Graduates have been hired at places such as Disney, Apple, Google, Microsoft, Adidas, and Intel. 

Otis College of Art and Design (Otis) was established in 1918 by the founder of the LA Times, Harrison Gray Otis. Known as LA’s first professional school of the arts, OTIS houses an interdisciplinary, STEM-designated Animation BFA that features studio projects every semester and a professional internship. Students will graduate with a professional portfolio of their work. Otis alumni go on to land roles at positions at places such as DreamWorks Animation, Nickelodeon, Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney, NFL Network, Mattel, Netflix, Apple, and Reel FX. 

San Jose State University (SJSU) houses an Animation and Illustration BFA (ANI BFA) program that highlights immersive courses taught by industry professionals. Other program highlights include opportunities to intern at major production studios; guest speakers from places such as Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), and DreamWorks; and access to state-of-the-art production facilities. Graduates have gone on to land positions at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Sony Pictures, Microsoft, Pixar, Blizzard Entertainment, Google, Disney, NBCUniversal, Lucasfilm, Nickelodeon, 20th Century Studios, and Cartoon Network. 

The Animation Department at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) has an Animation BFA program that allows students to present first-year projects at the college’s very own Brant Gallery. Other program highlights include dedicated state-of-the-art stop motion stations, classrooms, digital studios, and labs; courses taught by industry professionals; internships; collaborative projects; and campus events such as screenings and exhibitions. Students will graduate with a market-ready animated work and a professional portfolio. Graduates work at places such as Nickelodeon, Disney, Warner Bros. Animation, Netflix, Titmouse, Epic Games, LAIKA, FableVision Studios, Adventure Time, and Storm8.

The School of Art at California State University, Long Beach (Cal State Long Beach or CSULB) houses an Art BFA program with Animation and Pre-production tracks. Both tracks feature industry partnerships, guest lecturers, and professional internships. The program culminates with an animated film or studio project. Graduates are routinely hired with partners such as Pixar, DreamWorks, Activision Blizzard, Cartoon Network, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Sony Pictures Animation.

The College of Motion Picture Arts at Florida State University (FSU) has an intensive four-year conservatory program that focuses on CG animation. Leading to a BFA in Animation, the program limits each cohort to just 10 students. Courses and collaborative projects take place in an environment that functions like today's major studios. Students have 24/7 studio access as well as access to the Torchlight Center for Motion Picture Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Throughout the BFA program students will complete four major films. Graduates are routinely hired at places such as Disney, Cartoon Network, Epic Games, Nickelodeon, Pixar, Sony Pictures Imageworks, DreamWorks, Electronic Arts (EA), NBCUniversal, Xbox Game Studios, Warner Bros., Apple, HBO, Lucasfilm Animation, and Netflix. 

The Animation Department at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) has a Studio and Humanistic Studies BFA program with a number of major options. Examples include Animation, Game Design, Film and Video, Illustration, and Interactive Art. The 54 credit hour Animation major is immersive, which allows students to spend the majority of their time creating animated films or other works. The program culminates with a year-long capstone/thesis consisting of a film, interactive media work, or installation. Final projects are presented at the MICA Grad Show. MICA graduates can be found at places such as DreamWorks, MTV, Disney, and LAIKA. 

Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) has several paths to study animation. All options follow a mentor-based studio-instruction model, which allows students to customize their studies. Programs include BFA degrees in Animation; Animation and Art History; and Animation and Creative Writing. Programs begin with the First Year Foundation—an immersive experience takes place in a 20,000 square feet space featuring faculty meets, intensive studios, workshops, seminars, and presentations by international speakers. An optional internship is also part of the programs as well as a final animated project. Some program alumni go on to pursue graduate studies at places such as School of Visual Art (SVA) and California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), while others have been hired at Disney, Apple, Nickelodeon, Sony, Digital Domain, Google, Warner Bros., Titmouse, Netflix, Hallmark, and Fox. 

The Animation BFA program at Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) is the school’s largest major. Students in this studio-focused program may choose between two tracks: Character Animation or Experimental Animation. All students benefit from industry partnerships with major studios such as DreamWorks, Pixar, Epic Games, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network. The program culminates with a thesis film, completed across three courses. Graduates are routinely hired by LCAD industry partners. Additional examples include Disney, LAIKA, Blizzard Entertainment, Warner Bros., Epic Games, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), and South Park Digital Studios.

University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) houses the School of Filmmaking home to the Animation BFA. Students benefit from immersive courses and hands-on projects that take place in a 100,000 square feet, state-of-the-art production space, and internships at places such as Cartoon Network and Sony Pictures Imageworks. Graduates go on to secure positions at these and other places such as Disney, Nickelodeon, Universal Studios, Pixar, South Park Digital Studios, Paramount, HBO, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Cirque du Soleil.

College for Creative Studies (CCS) has a STEM-designated Entertainment Arts BFA program with an Animation pathway. A Toon Boom Center for Excellence (COE), the program highlights courses taught by industry professionals and Unreal Authorized Instructors (UAI); study abroad and faculty-led experiences in places such as London, Paris, and India; access to state-of-the-art production studios and labs; and internship opportunities. The program culminates with an animated production. Program alumni can be found at places such as Nickelodeon, Lucasfilm, Disney, Pixar, Cartoon Network, Marvel, DreamWorks Animation, Blizzard Entertainment, Google, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Universal, Titmouse, EA Sports, Warner Bros. Animation, ABC, and WildBrain Studios. 

University of South Florida (USF) is home to the College of Design, Art, and Performance. Within the college is the School of Art and Art History, which has a Studio Art BFA program with an Animation and Digital Modeling concentration. Other Studio Art highlights include travel to Miami art fairs, London, Venice, Paris, and New York through the Summer Art Program; participation in public art exhibitions; The Paris or London Middlesex Program; museum and other internships; and self-directed projects. Programs culminate with a final project and presentation. Graduates can be found at places such as Disney, Microsoft, Google, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, Universal, The Dali Museum, Rolling Stone, Dell, Vogue, Morean Arts Center, and STRAZ Center for the Performing Arts. 

The School of Art at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) has a Digital Arts BFA that allows students to select a concentration in 2D or 3D Animation. Program highlights include access to dozens of state-of-the-art spaces modeled after real-world production studios, labs, and research centers; opportunities to gain hands-on experience through internships at places such as Disney, Pixar, and the Museum of Modern Art; and study abroad at BGSU’s partner school in Florence, Italy. The program culminates with a final project to be screened at School of Art Annual Exhibition and Film Festival. BGSU alumni can be found at places such as DreamWorks Animation, Blizzard Entertainment, Epic Games, and Apple. 

The School of Art and Design at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) has an Animation, Interactive Media, and Game Design BFA program that focuses on 2D /3D animation; interactive storytelling; programming; AR/VR; and game engines. Program features include a collaborative environment designed to mirror professional production pipelines; courses taught by active industry professionals; the option to add a minor such as Creative Technology, Art History, or Color Studies; professional internships; and access to state-of-the-art studios and labs. The program culminates with a final project to be presented at the School of Art and Design’s Graduating Student Exhibition. Graduates have gone on to land positions at places such as Disney, Epic Games, Weta FX, Lucasfilm, Pixar, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Electronic Arts (EA), Marvel, Warner Bros., Blizzard Entertainment, and Activision Blizzard. 

The College of Arts and Media at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is home to the Department of Art. Within the department is an Animation BFA program that begins with the Workshop in Art Studio and History (WASH). To enter the major, students must pass a BFA Portfolio Review in their second year. Advanced coursework and production take place in a studio-like environment, with activities led by industry professionals. The program culminates with a professional portfolio that includes a website, digital reel, and marketing materials customized for the animation, games, and film industries. Some graduates go on to pursue graduate studies program at places such as SCAD or UT Dallas. Others can be found at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Zynga, Perkins & Will, Powerhouse Animation, and 900lbs.

The George Shinn College of Entertainment and the Arts (CEA) at Lipscomb University houses an Animation BFA program, with courses led by Disney Animators, award-winning independent filmmakers, and experts in industry-standard software. Animation students also benefit from internships at major studios; field trips to places such as Los Angeles and Italy to attend animation events; and opportunities to work with real clients in the CEA’s Imagine House. The BFA program culminates with an Animation Capstone. Program alumni are often hired at places such as Pencilish Animation Studios, the Tennessee Titans, and Imagine House.

The School of Media: Culture: Design at Woodbury University (Woodbury) has Animation and VFX BFA program that focuses on visual effects, 2D and 3D animation, and stop-motion. This STEM-designated program also features courses taught by industry professionals; access to state-of-the art production facilities and studios; individual projects with instructors; skills development in additional areas through electives; and a required internship at places such as DreamWorks, Cartoon Network, and Walt Disney Imagineering, among others. The program culminates with a film project to be screened at the Animation and VFX Showcase in Woodbury’s campus theater. Graduates are routinely hired at places such as Disney, Netflix Animation, DreamWorks, Cartoon Network, and 20th Century Studios.

The School of Fine Arts at University of Connecticut (UConn) provides several paths to study animation. For students seeking a BFA degree, options include the 3D Animation BFA; a Motion Design and Animation BFA (MDA BFA); and an Art BFA with an Illustration/Animation concentration. Programs are collaborative and project-based with access to state-of-the-art production facilities and internship opportunities. Programs culminate with a project and exhibition held in the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts. Graduates have landed positions at places such as Disney, Epic Games, Lego, HBO, Pixar, XVIVO Scientific Animation, NBCUniversal, Google, Viacom, Stoopid Buddy Studios, World Wide Wrestling Entertainment (WWE,) YouTube, Blur Studio, CBS, NBC, and Bit Fry Game Studios.