Top 50 Illustration Schools and Colleges in the U.S. - 2024 College Rankings

The School of Visual Arts (SVA) is a community of creatives that includes faculty and alumni who were involved in five of the 2024 Academy Award-nominated films as Computer Animators, Illustrators, Producers, and more. Within SVA are a number of departments that provide degree programs at all levels. 

The SVA Illustration Department has several paths, courses, and workshops for students seeking careers in Illustration, Entertainment, Animation, and other related areas. For degree-seeking students, the department provides an Illustration BFA and an Illustration as Visual Essay MFA. BFA program features include access to faculty and mentors who are professionals in the industry; opportunities to gain hands-on experience through internships and other experiential learning programs; and a senior portfolio curriculum that allow students to develop professional works in an area of focus. 

Illustration BFA students will complete 120 credit hours, including 72 credits in studio art courses. Coursework explores drawing and illustration, painting, storytelling, writing, comics, books and zines, digital coloring, and visual computing. Elective studio courses allow students to explore areas such as motion graphics, web design, and stop-motion animation. Course examples for the program include Creating Unforgettable Characters; Pictorial Projects I-II: Illustration; Cool Books; Digital Collage Illustration: Telling Stories in Layers; Still and Moving: Low-Tech Animation; and Motion Graphics Techniques I-II. 

Before graduating from SVA, Illustration students have plenty of opportunities to compete in competitions and work for places such as The New Yorker and The Village Voice. SVA Illustration graduates go on to establish successful careers in fields such as Advertising, Textile Design, VFX Art, Animation, Fashion Design, Book Publishing, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Printmaking, Film, Packaging, and Greeting Card Design. 

For students seeking a degree in a specialized area of Illustration, School of Visual Arts has a Comic BFA Program. The curriculum for this program is similar to the Illustration BFA curriculum. Comic BFA students will also take other courses such as Principles of Cartooning I-II; Lettering Comics; Graphic Design Solutions for Illustrators and Cartoonists; Comic Book Superheroes and American Society; and Pictorial Projects I-II: Cartooning. 

SVA’s MFA Illustration as Visual Essay Department was established in 1984. The department’s full contact MFA is a competitive 60 credit hour, two-year program that accepts just 20 students per year. All MFA students benefit from 24/7 access to personal workspaces; guest lecturers, speakers, and mentors; the Illustration Business Boot Camp; internship opportunities; and participation in exhibits and gallery shows.

Students in all SVA programs have access to the school’s study abroad program as well as SVA offices in Seoul, South Korea, and Shanghai, China, where students can collaborate, network, participate in workshops, and attend lectures.

In addition to coursework and projects in computer illustration, creative writing, storytelling, and visual essay, SVA MFA students have the opportunity to audit classes in Fine Arts, Animation, and Film. Course examples for the program include Drawing II; The Digital Book; Painting I-II; Creative Writing Workshop I-II; Book Seminar; Perpetual Appetizers; Studio Workshop I-II; History of Storytelling; and computer Illustration Portfolio. 

The SVA Illustration as Visual Essay MFA program culminates with a Thesis Project completed over two courses. 

For students seeking a shorter program, SVA has numerous options. Examples include Illustration as Design as Illustration (10 sessions); Animals and Creatures in Illustration (10 sessions); Careers in Illustration: A Drawing Workshop (six sessions); Crash Course for Artists, Illustrators, and Cartoonists (10 sessions); Etching: Illustrating Books with Prints (10 sessions); Comics Poetry: Experimenting with Text and Image (10 sessions); Fearless Drawing (four sessions); and Silkscreen: The Artist's Book Series (10 sessions). These single courses and workshops can last anywhere from a few days to several months, and some options can be completed entirely online. 

Graduates of the School of Visual Arts are prepared for careers across industries. As mentioned, Illustration alumni have worked on major productions and won Academy Awards. They have launched their own studios such as Augenblick Studios and Titmouse, and worked with top studios such as Pixar, Disney, and DreamWorks. Others have worked with DC Comics and Marvel, or for brands such as Prada and Vans. 

School of Visual Arts opened in 1947 as the Cartoonists and Illustrators school. Classes began with just three teachers and 35 students. Today, SVA serves approximately 3,440 students enrolled in dozens of BFA, MA, MFA, and MPS programs. School of Visual Arts is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), with individual program accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).

The Illustration BFA program at ArtCenter College of Design (ArtCenter) has six different tracks that allow students to train for careers in everything from children’s publishing to VFX. Options include Illustration Desigin; Entertainment Arts; Surface Design; Fine Art Painting; Motion Design; and Entertainment Arts- Consumer Products. 

Illustration Design prepares students for careers ranging from Storyboard Artist to Scientific Illustrator to Children’s Book Illustrator. In Entertainment Arts, students develop animation skills and product development for the entertainment industry (films, TV, and video games). 

In Surface Design, students develop the skills needed to pursue careers in Textile Design and Graphic Illustrated Imagery. Fine Art Painting focuses on craft and technique as a precursor to the conceptual process. Motion Design prepares students for success in the fields of Advertising, Film, VFX, Music Videos, and Public Service Announcements (PSAs). 

Students in Entertainment Arts-Consumer Products will develop product development, animation, graphic design, and children’s book illustration skills, among others.  

The ArtCenter Illustration BFA (with track), consists of 120 credit hours. Illustration Design students will take courses such as Digital Illustration; Children’s Book Illustration; and Illustration Design Lab. Key courses for the Entertainment Arts track include Storyboarding; Visual Development; and Composition for Film. Surface Design features courses such as The Art of Fashion’ Introduction to Textile Design;’ and Craft Techniques. 

Fine Art Painting students will take courses such as Wet Paint; Painting Projects; and Re-Presentation: Narrative and Bodies. Motion Design includes courses such as Sequential Design 3; Advanced Motion Studio; and Type 5 Motion. And finally, Entertainment Arts-Consumer Products focuses on courses such as Character Design; Graphic Design for Entertainment Arts; and Introduction to Maya and 3D Animation. Note that many tracks have overlapping coursework, so have the opportunity to study across tracks.   

Graduates of the Illustration BFA program at ArtCenter College of Design may continue their studies by enrolling in the school’s Interdisciplinary MFA program. This option allows students to customize the degree to support any medium. Other program features include individual studio spaces; access to state-of-the art facilities, software, galleries, and project studios; and study abroad opportunities in Paris, Berlin, Mexico City, and Cologne. 

ArtCenter partnerships with major companies and studios across the U.S. have also provided opportunities for BFA and MFA students to intern with or establish salaried employment at places such as Microsoft, Riot Games, Mattel, Blizzard Entertainment, Nike, DreamWorks, Walt Disney Imagineering, Netflix, Apple, Ford, WB, Facebook, BMW, Amazon, and Google. 

ArtCenter Illustration students have also worked with clients such as Pictures Animation, The New Yorker, Wieden+Kennedy (Tokyo), Marvel Studios, Nike, Los Angeles Times, Adidas, Smithsonian Magazine, and Wildlife Conservation Society. 

ArtCenter College of Design serves approximately 2,425 students from more than 50 countries. Founded in 1930, the school has campuses in Pasadena and Los Angeles, California, along with satellite studios in Petersen Automotive Museum (Miracle Mile, Los Angeles) and Berlin, Germany. ArtCenter provides 11 undergraduate programs; 10 graduate degree programs leading to an MFA or MS; a joint MS/MBA program; and undergraduate minors for Business, Creative Writing, and Social Innovation students. 

ArtCenter College of Design is fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has an Illustration program that provides degrees at all levels. Across options, students have opportunities to gain skills in an additional area of interest and/or a specialized area of Illustration through a minor or single courses. Minor examples include Animated Illustration and Publication Design; Storyboarding; Illustration for Surface Design; Fashion; Themed Entertainment Design; Visual Effects; Advertising and Branding; Scientific Illustration; Animation; Illustration for Entertainment; Graphic Design; Design for 3D Action Figures; and Game UX. 

Specific degree programs for students seeking an Illustration program include a Visual Communication BA with an Illustration concentration (available at the Atlanta and Savannah campuses); BFA in Illustration (Atlanta, Hong Kong, Savannah); Illustration MA (Atlanta, Savannah, eLearning); and Illustration MFA (Atlanta, Savannah, eLearning). 

All BA and BFA students will complete the SCAD Core before entering the major. Consisting of general education coursework and foundation studies, the SCAD Core includes courses such as Drawing I/II (Form and Space/ Composition and Media); The Geometry of Physical Space; Speaking of Ideas; Digital Communication; Design I/II/III (Elements and Organization/3-D Form in Space/Time); Applied Physics; Color: Theory and Application; Creative Thinking Theories and Processes; Psychology of Group Processes: and Visual Culture in Context: Making Modernites. 

Course examples across the BA and BFA programs include Color with Intent; Animated Illustration; Illustrating Beyond the Page: The Narrative Experience; Digital Illustration; Materials and Techniques; Speaking of Ideas; Creative Concepting for World Building; Book Illustration; Illustration Business Strategies and Entrepreneurship; Advertising Illustration; Contextual Character Design; and Editorial Illustration. 

The SCAD Illustration BFA also has four concentration options including Animated Illustration and Publication Design; Illustration for Entertainment; Concept Design for Animation and Games; and Illustration for Surface Design. This professional degree program includes 15 hours of electives and advanced courses such as Illustration Business Strategies and Entrepreneurship; Career Strategies for Illustration; and Professional Portfolio for Illustrators.

Both programs require 180 credit hours to graduate, including 20 credit hours of free electives for the BA Program. Across options, students have the opportunity to participate in the SCAD internship program. 

The Illustration MA at Savannah College of Art and Design features a required graduate internship, the Directed Projects in Illustration course, and a final project. The program requires 45 credit hours to graduate. The SCAD Illustration MFA consists of 90 credit hours and features two graduate internships and the following courses: Directed Projects in Illustration; Advanced Studio Techniques; Illustration for Publications, Professional Practices in Illustration; and Illustration Markets. Students in this terminal degree program may develop additional skills in a specific area through the program’s four required 500- to 700-level electives. 

All SCAD students have the opportunity to spend a quarter abroad at SCAD Lacoste or other study abroad locations. All SCAD students also benefit from access to studio classrooms, state-of-the-art labs, production studios, drawing rooms, and cutting tables; creative collaborations between departments and with global brands; participation in competitions and exhibits; access to Adobe Creative Cloud and master classes; visiting artists and speakers; panel discussions; and participation in SCAD’s Annual Sidewalk Arts Festival. 

Graduates of the Illustration programs at Savannah College of Art and Design are prepared to pursue positions across the entertainment industry, advertising, publishing, games, architecture, design, and many others. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Walt Disney Imagineering, Comedy Central, ImagineFX, Bento Box Entertainment, A&E, The New York Times, Converse, Game Informer, and Revolver Studios. 

Savannah College of Art and Design has more degree programs and specializations than any other art and design college in the U.S. In 1979, the school opened in the renovated Savannah Volunteer Guards Armory with just one classroom, an administration building, and 71 students. Today, SCAD serves more than 17,500 students across campuses in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Lacoste, France; and SCADNow. Programs include 100+ degrees and more than 75 minors and certificates. 

Savannah College of Art and Design is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), and the National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB).

Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) houses the School of Art and Design, which provides 17 undergraduate majors in Art, Design and Fashion. This includes an Illustration major leading to an AAS or BFA. Program features for both options include real-world classes; mentoring workshops led by art directors and professional illustrators; participation in student art exhibitions; and access to the Society of Illustrators—the industry's top professional organization. 

Students in the BFA program also have the opportunity to participate in the FIT Internship Program and/or study abroad in Florence. The BFA has two schedule options: Traditional Daytime and the Evening/Weekend BFA. 

Course examples across programs include Illustration Process I-II; 2D Computer Animation; Visual Storytelling for Evolving Media I-II; Advanced Visual Story Studio; Digital Illustration Techniques; Stylistic Illustration; Illustrating the Written Word; Illustration Process I-II; Illustration Rendering Techniques; Visual Interpretation; Computer Typesetting and Design; and Advanced Pictorial Problem Solving. 

The FIT Illustration BFA culminates with the Illustration Portfolio Thesis presented before faculty and peers. Graduates of the AAS are eligible to apply for admission to FIT’s Illustration BFA as well as the school’s BFA programs in Animation, Interactive Media & Game Design, Textile/Surface Design, and Toy Design. 

Graduates of the Illustration BFA at Fashion Institute of Technology are prepared for immediate entry into the field or a graduate program, such as the 60 credit-hour Illustration MFA. Housed in FIT’s School of Graduate Studies, the MFA highlights field trips to studios in LA and New York; real-world projects; guest lecturers; and professional internships. 

Course examples for the program include Integrating Digital with Traditional Media; Directed Projects in Illustration; Drawing for Illustration; Narrative Art; Creative Writing for Illustrators; Digital Bootcamp; Sequential Storytelling; Survey of Digital Illustration; Art is Where You Look For It: Diversifying Illustration's Application; Illustration in Motion; and The History of American Illustration. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the Studio Visits: New York or LA courses, which provide face-to-face interactions with east and west coast-based professional animators, illustrators, and art directors through in-person meetings at studios and office visits. 

In the final year of the FIT Illustration MFA program, students will complete the Visual Thesis Studio course and Visual Thesis – Exhibition and Promotion. The Exhibition takes place at a gallery. 

The program culminates with a Visual Thesis Exhibition at a gallery. Past projects have focused on animations, installations, children’s books, concept art, murals, reportage drawings, and graphic novels. 

FIT Illustration alumni have established freelance careers and full-time employment with a wide variety of agencies, studios, and publications. Examples include DreamWorks, LucasArts, DDB, Revlon, Ogilvy, Young & Rubicam, Disney, BBDO Worldwide, Warner Bros., Hallmark, Vogue, American Greetings, and Harper’s Bazaar. 

Fashion Institute of Technology opened in 1944 inside the High School of Needles Trades. On the first day of class, the school had 100 students. Today, FIT spans an entire city block and it serves approximately 8,150 students. The school is also part of the State University of New York (SUNY) System. 

Programs at FIT are provided at the undergraduate and graduate levels across five academic divisions. Fashion Institute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).

The New School’s Parsons School of Design (Parsons) is home to the School of Art, Media, & Technology (AMT), which has an Illustration BFA program that takes four years to complete, full-time. Students have the opportunity to create an interdisciplinary path of study, which can include adding a minor such as Comics and Graphic Narrative or Immersive Storytelling, or enrolling in a dual BA/BFA. 

Other program features include internships with Parsons partners such as Nickelodeon, The New York Times, Barnes & Noble, and Apple; access to The New School libraries, studios, computer labs, archives, and the state-of-the-art Making Center; Collaboration Studio courses and other collaborative projects; participation in events such as Comic Arts Brooklyn, MoCCA Fest, and Pictoplasma; and study abroad opportunities in Paris, Florence, and London. 

The Illustration BFA program at Parsons also provides access to New York–based professional organizations such as American Illustration and the Society of Illustrators, which helps students connect with professional illustrators, other artists, and publishers. 

Consisting of 120 credit hours, the Parsons Illustration BFA begins with the First Year Curriculum (FYC) requirement, which explores art and design concepts, 2D and 3D processes, digital design, drawing, and critical practices. FYC course examples include Integrative Studio; Drawing/Imaging; Time; Objects as History; Space/Materiality; Integrative Seminar; and Sustainable Systems. Other course examples include Language & Letterform; Core Studio 4D; History of Modern & Contemporary Art: Recitation; Introduction to Visual Culture: Lecture; Topics Studio; and Professional Practices. 

The Illustration BFA program at Parsons School of Design culminates with the Thesis Project, completed over two courses. Graduates are prepared for positions in illustration, publishing, comics, animation, installation design, toy design, advertising, game art, motion graphics, graphic novels, product design, fine art, and surface design. Program alumni have been hired by companies and organizations such as Rockstar Games, The New York Times, Urban Outfitters, Viking Books, LAIKA, Tiffany & Company, The Society of Illustrators, Amplify, Manhattan Youth, Curriculum Concepts, Brooklyn Print House, and Vice Media. 

The New School was founded in 1919. Parsons School of Design was established as The Chase School in 1896 by American Impressionist William Merritt Chase. In 1904 Frank Alvah Parsons joined the school, eventually becoming its sole director. The Chase School became Parsons in 1941, and joined The New School in 1970. Today, The New School serves 10,000 students, with 5,000+ enrolled in Parsons School of Design. 

The New School provides more than 120 degree and diploma programs across six colleges and schools, including Parsons Paris. The New School is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), with Parsons School of Design included within the scope of MSCHE accreditation.

The College of Fine Arts and Communications (CFAC) at Brigham Young University (BYU) provides a number of opportunities and experiences for all CFAC majors. Serving nearly 5,700 students, the CFAC hosts hundreds of performances, faculty presentations, and student events each year. CFAC students also have opportunities to engage in research projects; participate in experiential learning activities in the U.S. and abroad; exhibit at Brigham Young University Museum of Art (MOA); and pursue a professional internship. 

BYU’s College of Fine Arts and Communications also houses the Department of Design. Within the Department is an Illustration BFA program that accepts just 40 students per academic year. This Limited Enrollment Program (LEP) requires 120 credit hours, with 72 credits in the major. Courses are led by industry professionals with years of experience in their respective fields.  

Course examples for the program include 3D Digital Illustration; Narrative Illustration; Environment Design; Survey of Illustration History; Game Design; Analog Motion; Character Design; Sketchbook; Directed Studies in Illustration; Basic Storyboarding; Marketing Management; and Career Strategies. 

In the final year of the BYU Illustration BFA program, students will complete Senior Illustration Studio 1; BFA Illustration Capstone Project: Research, and BFA Illustration Capstone Project: Implementation. 

Graduates of the Illustration BFA program at Brigham Young University work in a wide variety of fields such as publishing, exhibition design, medical and scientific illustration, advertising, entertainment, architecture, mural production, and fashion design. Some program alumni have gone on to launch their own studios and freelance businesses. 

Brigham Young University was founded as Brigham Young Academy (BYA) in 1875 by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Brigham Young. With more than 35,000 students from 105 countries, BYU is the one of the largest private universities in the U.S. The school provides approximately 435 programs across more than a dozen colleges and departments. Campuses include BYU-Utah, BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, BYU Pathway Worldwide, and Ensign College. 

Brigham Young University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) has an Illustration BFA program that emphasizes collaboration across all majors. Consisting of 120 credit hours, the program also provides hands-on coursework with the opportunity to focus in any area within Illustration. Examples include children’s book illustration, illustration for entertainment (animation and games), product illustration, advertising illustration, editorial illustration, comic book illustration, surface design, and courtroom illustration. 

Course examples for the program include Introduction to Illustration; Photography, The Moving Image, and Digital Culture; Digital Illustration; Ideation and Process; Tools of the Trade; Illustration Topics; Editorial Illustration; Illustration and Products; Applied Arts and Designed Objects; and Professional Practice: Illustration. In this course, students have opportunities to work on projects such as textbook illustrations, promotional materials and art for ad campaigns, and posters for nonprofit clients. 

Other program features include the option to select a minor in an area such as Animation, Advertising, or Graphic Design; internship opportunities at local and national studios; and participation in the MCAD study abroad program. In partnership with the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) Exchange Program, MCAD study abroad experiences take place at AICAD schools in Canada, the UK, China, and Singapore. 

The Illustration BFA program at Minneapolis College of Art and Design culminates with the Senior Project: Illustration course worth six credits. For this final project, students may complete a research project, solve an in-depth illustration problem, or demonstrate advancements in a specific strength or style. 

Graduates of the Art and Design programs at Minneapolis College of Art and Design enjoy a 93% employment rate, with nearly 60% of all graduates landing positions in their respective fields. MCAD alumni are Fine Artists, Children’s Book Illustrators, Editorial Illustrators, Comic Illustrators, Advertising Illustrators, Concept Artists, Fashion Illustrators, Courtroom Illustrators, Medical and Technical Illustrators, and Surface Designers.  

Minneapolis College of Art and Design was established in 1886 by the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts. The school serves approximately 800 students from 40 states and 13 countries. Programs include 14 undergraduate majors leading to a BFA or BS, three MA degrees, one MFA degree, and seven professional development certificate options. Minneapolis College of Art and Design is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The school is also affiliated with the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD).

Otis College of Art and Design (OTIS) has an Illustration BFA program that prepares students for careers such as storyboard artist, illustrator for animation, children’s book illustrator, motion graphic artist, art director, and muralist. Housed in the Communication Arts Department, the program allows students to focus in one or more areas through more than a dozen minor options. Examples include Digital Media, Product Design, Book Arts, Advertising Design, Printmaking, Community Arts Engagement, and Entrepreneurship. 

Other BFA program features include access to state-of-the-art facilities and labs; internship and study abroad opportunities; participation in conventions, field trips, workshops, and student exhibitions; and visiting lecturers and artists. 

The Illustration BFA at Otis College of Art and Desing consists of 120 credit hours. Course examples include History of Graphic Design and Illustration; Illustration I-IV; Alternative Materials and Processes for Illustrators; Drawing and Painting I-II; Creative Action Lecture; and Typography for Illustrators. 

In the final year of the program, students will complete several upper division studio electives, Entrepreneur 101, and a final project through several seminar and project courses. 

Graduates of the Illustration BFA program at OTIS are prepared for careers across industries. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Disney, Apple, Netflix, Mattel, Young & Rubicam LA Weekly, Nike, Sony Music, WB Network, Hurley International, Conde Nast Publications, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Von Dutch, Hallmark, Twentieth Century Fox, GUESS, Ogilvy Worldwide, Target, Quicksilver, and Davis Elen Advertising. 

Established in 1918, Otis College of Art and Design is Los Angeles’ oldest professional school of the arts. This private, non-profit college serves more than 1,200 students enrolled in 11 BFA and MFA degree programs in the Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Public Practice, and Writing. A variety of minors and certificate programs are also available. Programs and courses at OTIS are led by more than 430 professors—all active professionals in their respective fields. 

Otis College of Art and Design is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). OTIS is also a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) and the Partnership for Academic Leadership on Sustainability (PALS).

The Illustration program at Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) provides real world experiences through partnerships with external clients—all before graduation. CIA Illustration students also benefit from field trips to advertising agencies and professional studios; interactions with visiting artists; small-group seminars; private, individual studio spaces; and access to Integrated Media Environment Facilities, lighting and shooting spaces, a sound recording studio, and fabrication studios. 

Illustration at Cleveland Institute of Art consists of two paths: the Illustration BFA and the Life Sciences Illustration BFA. Both programs explore traditional materials and techniques such as acrylics, oils, inks, collage, and pencils. Students will also master industry standard software such as Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. 

Consisting of 120 credit hours of study, the Illustration BFA features courses such Layout Rendering Techniques; Illustration I-II; Character Design + Development; Graphic Novels + Sequential Art; Picture Book Illustration; Visual Concepts in Illustration; Sound Design Fundamentals; Illustration: Advanced Illustration Studio Projects; and Professional Practices: Entrepreneurial Ventures. 

The Illustration BFA program at Cleveland Institute of Art culminates with the BFA Thesis and Exhibition. Graduates of the program are prepared for carers in areas such as Book and Magazine Publishing, Entertainment, Animation, Game Design, Comic Book Publishing, and Advertising. 

The Life Sciences Illustration BFA program at Cleveland Institute of Art is designed for artists seeking a program that integrates Art and Science. One of the few BFA degrees of its kind in the U.S. the Life Sciences program explores topics such as Information Design, Illustration, Interactive Design, Botanical Sciences, Serious Game Design, Animation, Zoological Sciences, Sound Design, Biological Sciences, Research Methods, and Professional Development. 

Course examples for the program include Interactive Narratives; Advanced Concepts & Methods; Digital Biomedical Illustration; Digital Color: Style + Representation in Science; Line: Information Visualization; Veterinary Illustration; 3D Animation; Natural Science & Zoological Illustration; 3D Modeling; Cellular + Molecular Illustration; and Anatomy for the Artist. 

A major component of the CIA Life Sciences Illustration BFA program is the internship, which provides the opportunity to gain valuable real-world experience in this unique field. Professional Practices courses provide additional insight into how the industry works and how to gain entry. The courses highlight portfolio development for online and offline media, demo reels, and professional packages consisting of business cards, resumes, cover letters, etc. Courses include Professional Practices: Studio to Gallery; and Professional Practices: Industry. 

The Life Sciences Illustration BFA program at Cleveland Institute of Art culminates with the BFA Thesis and Exhibition. Program alumni hold titles such as Illustrator, Biomedical Illustrator, 3D Animation Artist, 3D Designer, Art Director, Forensic Illustrator, Scientific Illustrator, Medical Illustrator, and Educator.

Cleveland Institute of Art was chartered as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women in 1882. This independent, not-for-profit college serves around 600 students enrolled in 13 entertainment arts, design, fine arts, and craft majors. Cleveland Institute of Art is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) has an Illustration BFA program that requires 120 credit hours of study. Housed in the Illustration Department, the BFA program provides opportunities to complete independent study, an internship, and/or a course assistantship. All options are open to upper-division students. Sophomores also qualify for the course assistantship option. 

The curriculum for the MassArt Illustration BFA consists of 18 credits in Studio Foundations, 42 in Illustration, and 18 in Studio Electives. This is in addition to core education and other requirements. Course examples Media Techniques; Narrative Illustration; Digital Painting and Techniques; Word and Image; Advanced Drawing for Illustrators; Virtual 3D Illustration; Book Arts; Experimental Illustration Techniques; Black and White Illustration; Color for Illustrators; and Professional Illustration. 

In the final year of the Illustration BFA program at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, students will complete the Thesis Project I: Research, Thesis Project II: Imagery, Senior Illustration, and Illustration Portfolio courses. Final student portfolios will be presented to professionals from the editorial, publishing, advertising, and corporate markets. 

Graduates of the Art and Design programs at Massachusetts College of Art and Design have been hired at a variety of studios, companies, and organizations. Examples include the Hasbro, Sony Pictures Imageworks, the Whitney Museum of American Art, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Time Inc., Discovery Channel, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, New Balance, Boston Children's Museum, PUMA, and the Attleboro Art Museum. 

Massachusetts College of Art and Design is the nation’s first and only public college of art and design. Founded in 1873, the school serves approximately 1,785 students enrolled more than 40 degree, minor, and certificate programs. Approximately 155 continuing education students are enrolled in over 100 classes and workshops in all areas of art and design. Massachusetts College of Art and Design is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). MassArt is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

The Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) was established in 2006. Within the school are the College of Art, Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, and the College of Architecture. Programs for Illustrators are part of the College of Art and include BA and BFA degrees in Studio Art & Design with a major in Communication Design, and the Illustration + Visual Culture MFA (MFA-IVC). Communication Design students may select the 15-unit Design minor or move between illustration, drawing, book arts, interaction design, and more to match their goals. 

The minor has a mix and match component that allows students to select courses in Illustration, Communication, the Illustrated Book Studio, and Fashion Design. Communication Design students may select as many illustration courses as they desire. Course examples include Illustration as Practice; Applied Illustration; Animated Worlds; Image and Meaning; Panel by Panel: Narrative Comics; Semiotics Studio: Designing Signs and Symbols; Literatures of Drawing; and The Illustrator’s Sketchbook. 

The Communication Design BFA begins with the First Year Experience, which consists of core studios such as 2D Design, digital studio, and drawing. Students will also attend a weekly seminar. All studios are taught in teams by communication design and studio art faculty, and mentored by a dedicated academic advisor. In the second and third years of the BFA program, students will take advanced courses and select their own major courses.

The WashU Communication Design BFA culminates with a Capstone project. For this final project, students have created comics, illustrated books, graphic novels, screen-based art, zines, and digital experiences. Capstones are displayed in a public exhibition and reviewed by art and design professionals. 

The Illustration + Visual Culture MFA is a two-year, fully residential program that consists of 50% Illustration studio work, 20% Visual Culture, History & Theory, 15-20% hands-on archive work, and 10-15% electives. Housed in the Roxanne H. Frank Design Studio (the Roxy), the MFA-IVC provides each student with their own studio space and access to state-of-the-art equipment and software, study areas, and group critique sessions. 

Electives for the program allow students to focus in specific areas of art, design, and entertainment. Elective examples include Narrative Comics; Book Arts; Illustration Concepts and Media; Branding and Identity; Image & Story; Painting; Animated Worlds; The Illustrator’s Sketchbook; Game Design; Visual Culture; Applied Illustration; Type and Image: Experiments on Press; Printmaking; Typography; and Art History. 

Consisting of 60 credit hours, the MFA-IVC program at WashU requires courses such as Illustration Studio 1: Drawing & Voice; Comics & Cartooning: A Critical Survey; The Illustrated Periodical; Special Collections: Exhibitions & Engagement; Readings in Visual & Material Culture; Special Collections: Research Methods; and Graduate Drawing Studio. All MFA-IVC students will complete an internship and two final Thesis courses including Thesis Studio 1: Drawing & Voice, and Thesis Studio 2. 

Graduates of the MFA-IVC program at the WashU’s Sam Fox School are prepared for to pursue roles such as author-artists of picture books, graphic novels, and comics; creative directors; illustration professors; curatorial staff in libraries, auction houses and museums; and critical writer’s on popular culture. 

Founded in 1853, Washington University in St. Louis serves approximately 15,220 students enrolled in more than 300 academic programs across seven schools and the Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Architecture; and Art. The Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts was founded in 2006 after the merging of the academic units of Architecture and Art, and the Washington University in St. Louis Museum. Washington University in St. Louis has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1913.

The College of the Arts (COTA) at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is one of the school’s largest and most popular colleges. Home to six separate departments, COTA employs over 250 faculty members that serve more than 3,000 students. Departments include the School of Art (SoA); Film and Electronic Arts; Design; Bob Cole Conservatory of Music; Theatre Arts; and Dance. 

The School of Art at California State University, Long Beach received designation as a school in 2012. The school houses state-of-the-art facilities and work spaces, along with seven separate and customizable galleries for displaying, critiquing, and viewing student work. School of Art students also have opportunities to interact with professional working artists, as well as international travel options to support their work. 

For students seeking an Illustration degree, COTA SoA has an Art BFA and Studio Art MFA. Both programs have an Illustration option. In partnership with the Department of Biological Sciences, the SoA also houses an interdisciplinary 30-unit Biomedical Illustration Prep Certificate that can be completed in just one year, full-time. 

Ideal for students in art and the natural sciences, the certificate can be added to an undergraduate degree program or taken post-graduation. Course examples include Biomedical Illustration; Intermediate Life Drawing; Anatomy for Artists; Illustration 2; Computer Animation; Production for Fine Art; Introduction to Rendering; Foundational Life Drawing; and Special Studies in Illustration. 

The Art BFA at California State University, Long Beach consists of 132 units and opportunities to work with peers in other options such as Animation and Pre-Production in the Digital Lab. Course examples for the program include Core Studio: Illustration 1 and 2; Storyboarding for Film and Television;

Introduction Studio: Illustration – Rendering; Advanced Studio: Illustration 3 and 4; Drawing with Perspective; Production for Fine Art; Writing About Visual Art; Experimental Animation; Costumed Figure Drawing; and Illustration Senior Project—the culminating experience for the program. 

Other program features include courses taught by industry professionals; participation in workshops led by faculty and visiting artists; opportunities to complete an internship at a local, regional, or national studio; and study abroad experiences in places such as Ireland, Germany, and Spain. 

The Studio Art MFA at California State University, Long Beach is an interdisciplinary program that requires 60 units of study. This includes 29 units in the Illustration option. Course examples include Graduate Studies: Illustration; Graduate Studies: Image as Text; and Graduate Studies: Professional Practices for Visual Communication. All graduate Studio Art students will participate in the Final MFA Exhibition. 

Graduates of the Art programs at California State University, Long Beach are prepared to pursue positions in fields such as editorial art, comic book publishing, graphic novels, book art, textile design, newspaper publishing, product and toy design, animation, editorial art, games, educational illustration, live action film, advertising, biomedical illustration, and gallery exhibition production.

California State University, Long Beach was established in 1949 as Los Angeles-Orange County State College. One of the 23 campuses of the California State University System, CSULB serves approximately 39,965 students enrolled in more than 300 programs across eight colleges. California State University, Long Beach is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

California State University Fullerton (Cal State Fullerton) is home to the College of the Arts, which houses the Department of Visual Arts. Within the department is an Art program with BFA, MA, and MFA options. Students in all programs have the option to add the Illustration studio concentration. Consisting of a combination of electives and required courses, the studio concentration prepares students for advanced roles in Illustration. 

Across programs, students have access to courses such as Special Studies in Sequential Art; Digital Narrative Illustration; Writing in the Visual Arts; Computer Assisted Graphics; 3D Rigging and animation; Visual Development and Background Painting; Children’s Book Illustration; 3D Environment Modeling; Animal and Wildlife Drawing; Landscape Painting and Location Drawing; Special Studies: Artists’ Books and Art; Lighting and Look Development; The Digital Studio; Animation Production; 3D Team Production; Cartooning and Caricature; Video Art and Moving Image; and Entertainment Graphics. 

All degree options feature workshops and seminars; unlimited access to state-of-the-art production studios, labs, and equipment; interactions with visiting artists; study abroad experiences; and internship opportunities with companies in California, and across the U.S. 

The Art BFA at Cal State Fullerton requires 132 units to graduate. This includes 30 units in the Illustration studio concentration. The program culminates with the BFA Capstone Project, which may include works in animation, games, VR, visual effects, exhibitions, and others. 

The MA program consists of 30 units, including 12 in the Illustration studio concentration. Students will complete a project and thesis (P/T) to graduate. The MA P/T consists of the development and presentation of a creative project in the concentration beyond the required coursework. 

The CSUF MFA requires 60 units to graduate, including 24 units in the Illustration studio concentration. The program culminates with a solo Art Exhibit (MFA Project Exhibition). 

Graduates of the Art BFA, MA, and MFA programs at Cal State Fullerton have worked with or been hired by major companies and studios such as DreamWorks, The Walt Disney Company, Lucasfilm, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon. 

Founded in 1957, California State University, Fullerton is part of the 23 campus California State University (CSU) system. Serving more than 41,000 students, CSUF provides 110 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across eight academic colleges. California State University, Fullerton is Accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) at Willamette University has an Illustration BFA program that explores traditional studio media and emerging technologies. During the first year of the program, all students will complete liberal arts, art history, and foundation studio courses, as well as one studio elective and First Year Seminar. In the second and third years, students will complete courses such as Digital Media Strategies; Painting for Illustration; Design & Image; Drawing for Illustration; and Cultural Masterpiece. 

Other program features include access to state-of-the-art labs and studios such as the WACOM Lab, the Professional Digital Fine Art Printing Lab, Animation Lab, Printmaking Studio, and Photography Lab; internships with companies such as Nintendo, Microsoft, Nike, Dark Horse Comics, and Wieden+Kennedy; and access to Make+Think+Code, a technology lab that hosts workshops, classes, and additional facilities, digital tools, and technology. 

All PNCA BFA students also benefit from mentorship programs; access to Albert Solheim Library, which houses more than 30,000 books and computer workstations; professional practices instruction; and portfolio preparation.

In the senior year of the Illustration BFA program at Willamette University/PNCA students will complete Illustration Advanced Studio I-II; Research for Creative Practice; and a thesis. Upon completion of the program, students will have the opportunity to present their work at PNCA’s Annual End-of-Year Showcase at a downtown Portland gallery. 

Graduates are prepared to pursue titles such as Digital Illustrator, Children’s Book Illustrator, Comic Book Illustrator, Graphic Novelist, Storyboard Sketch Artist, Product Illustrator, Signage Developer, Game Artist, Logo Designer, Character Artist, Editorial Illustrator, Textile Designer, Architectural Illustrator, and Set Designer. 

PNCA Illustration BFA alumni have worked with DC Comics, Disney, Google, The MET, The New Yorker, LA Times, NBC, The Washington Post, NPR, Crate and Barrel, the Portland Trailblazers, OLIPOP, Liquid Development, SuperGenius, and Dark Horse, among others. 

Willamette University was established in 1842, making it the oldest university in the West. This liberal arts college serves approximately 1,870 students enrolled in dozens of programs across the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Law, Pacific Northwest College of Art, and the Atkinson Graduate School of Management. Willamette University and PNCA merged in 2021. 

PNCA, which remains an independent college within Willamette, was established in 1909. Serving around 650 students, the school provides 11 BFA degrees, 10, eight graduate degrees within the PNCA Hallie Ford School of Graduate Studies, and one post-baccalaureate program. 

Willamette University and Pacific Northwest College of Art are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). PNCA is also a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design (AICAD) and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU).

Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) has several paths to study Illustration. Options include a BFA in Illustration; a Drawing and Painting BFA with an Illustration emphasis; and a BFA in Graphic Design and Digital Media (GD+DM) with an Illustration emphasis. An Illustration minor is also available. This program requires 15 credit hours including Computer Imaging; Rendering; Illustration 1: Color; Illustration 2; and Graphic Illustration 1. Illustration minor students will complete several pieces for their professional portfolios. 

All programs are led by industry professionals who have worked with major companies, studios, and brands such as Warner Bros., Sony, IBM, Pfizer, McDonald’s, Mitsubishi, Dannon, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH), and The United Nations. Other program features include hands-on design projects with LCAD partners such as Nike, Sony, and UCI; small class sizes; guest speakers; mentorship programs; and internship opportunities. 

Students in the LCAD Illustration BFA program will take courses such as Pictorial Design for Illustration; Artistic Anatomy; Illustration 1-3; Graphic Novel; Words, Images, and Ideas; Digital Painting for Illustration; Computer Imaging; Illustrative Painting; Digital landscape Painting; and Professional Studies for Illustrators. The program culminates with the Senior Capstone and Thesis Defense course worth three credits. 

Graduates are prepared for careers in book and comic book publishing; film, television, and animation; game art and design; product design; advertising and marketing; gallery art; newspaper and magazine publishing, architecture; medical and scientific illustration; and industrial design. 

LCAD Illustration alumni have been hired at places such as DreamWorks Animation, Marvel Entertainment, Disney Interactive, Google, Microsoft Studios, Blizzard Entertainment, Obsidian Entertainment, Hurley, Opera New York, Quicksilver, KCET, Xist Publishing, High Moon Studios, and DC Shoes. 

Housed in the Fine Arts Department, the Drawing and Painting BFA program at Laguna College of Art and Design focuses on experimentation. All students benefit from industry partnerships with Laguna Art Museum, South Park Studios, and MEAM Museo Europeo de Arte Moderno, as well as internship opportunities in the third year of the program. In the final year of the program, students are assigned to private studios and a mentor. 

Students in the Drawing and Painting BFA program will take courses such as Experimental Drawing; Digital Photo for Fine Arts; Materials and Techniques; Intermediate Portraiture; and Scientific Anatomy. The Illustration emphasis explores traditional and mixed media art. Students will work on projects that focus on print, branding, murals, exhibition design, and more. In the Professional Practices course, students will learn about gallery operations, publications, and artist branding. 

The Drawing and Painting BFA at LCAD culminates with the Senior Capstone and Thesis Defense course worth three credits. 

The Graphic Design and Digital Media BFA at Laguna College of Art and Design is a multidisciplinary, 122 credit-hour program that explores traditional and emerging areas such as 3D, iPad development, package design, advertising, print, video, user experience and interfaces, action sport design, mobile apps, the web, virtual reality applications, and motion. 

The Illustration emphasis for this program provides access to all Illustration courses, allowing students to select them as electives to match their goals. Students also have opportunities to work with industry partners such as Pixar, Nike, Saatchi & Saatchi, and SapientNitro; complete an internship; and develop a professional portfolio. The program culminates with a Senior Capstone and Thesis Defense.  

Nearly 100% of recent Graphic Design and Digital Media graduates work in their chosen field, with most securing employment through LCAD prior to graduation. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Amazon, MGM, Google, Sony, Fox Entertainment, Pixar, Blizzard Entertainment, Disney Imagineering, Cartoon Network, Apple, Tesla, Saatchi & Saatchi, Riot Games, Disney Interactive, and Mattel. 

Laguna College of Art and Design opened in 1961 as Laguna Beach School of Art (LBSA). The school has a main campus in Laguna Beach and educational affiliates locally and around the world including Florence Academy of Arts in Florence, Italy, Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, and NHTV Breda University of Applied Sciences (NHTV), Netherlands. Laguna College of Art and Design serves around 770 students with access to 15 degree options and nine minors. LCAD is regionally and nationally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

The College of Arts & Media (CAM) at University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) has a has an Illustration BFA program that prepares students for careers as independent artists or full-time, salaried positions within a wide range of creative fields and other fields. An Illustration minor is available for students in other majors such as Digital Design, 3D Graphics and Animation, or Architecture. 

Consisting of 18 credit hours, the Illustration minor requires Drawing I; Two Dimensional Design; and Illustration I: Image Making. For the remaining credits, students may select from a variety of lower division Visual Arts courses and electives. Examples include Introduction to Digital Design; The Graphic Novel Workshop; Illustration II: Digital Media; Digital Painting; and The Business of Art. Students in this program may also use up to six credit hours to fulfill both major and minor requirements.  

The Illustration BFA at University of Colorado Denver is a 120 credit hour program that provides opportunities to work on projects for Pixar, the Denver Art Museum, and local galleries and studios. BFA students also have access to state-of-the art digital labs, industrial equipment, and sculpture studios, as well as the CU Denver internship and study abroad programs. 

Course examples for the program include Illustration I: Image Making; Illustration II: Digital Media; Illustration III: Investigative Methods; Drawing I-II; Three-Dimensional Design; The Graphic Novel Workshop; Media of Drawing; Digital Painting; Life Drawing; and The Business of Art. Students may select up to 12 semester hours of Visual Arts electives to enhance the degree or create a focus area. 

The Illustration BFA program at CU Denver culminates with the Illustration BFA Thesis course (Illustration IV) worth three credits. Projects will be presented at an exhibition and students will also create a professional Illustration portfolio. 

Graduates of the program are prepared to pursue positions in areas such as children’s books, comic books, interactive illustration, graphic novels, animation, editorial, game art and design, advertising, graphic design, medical illustration, architecture, and scientific illustration. 

University of Colorado Denver opened in 1912 as an extension of the University of Colorado Boulder. The school became the University of Colorado Denver Center in 1965, and CU Denver in 1973, making it an independent campus. Organized into seven colleges and schools, University of Colorado Denver serves more than 15,000 students enrolled in approximately 115 degree programs. University of Colorado Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at University of Georgia (UGA) is home to Lamar Dodd School of Art, which serves more than 1,000 students. Founded in 1937 and renamed the Lamar Dodd School of Art in 1996, the Dodd School is one of the largest university art programs in the U.S. The school also has a year-round Studies Abroad program in Cortona, Italy, that has served more than 4,000 students since its inception in 1969. Past Cortona students have come from 400 institutions across the U.S.  

In addition to the Cortona program, the Dodd School of Art provides the opportunity to study and live in New York for three weeks during the month of May. Known as the UGA New York MAYmester program, this experiential learning opportunity also features study abroad in places such as Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand. 

All Dodd School of Art students also have the opportunity to study in other locations during the summer, winter, or spring breaks through UGA Study Abroad. More than 100 options are available across 75 overseas locations. Examples include Tuscany, Italy; Ghana, West Africa; and Costa Rica, Central America. 

Other School of Art features include access to state-of-the-art production facilities, labs, and studio spaces; the opportunity to work and learn in dedicated classrooms and studio spaces; and hands-on experience through the internship program. 

For students seeking an Illustration degree, the Dodd School has an Art BFA with a concentration in Scientific Illustration. This program prepares students for careers in traditional, biological, and medical illustration. Students may select nine credit hours or more in electives from areas such as Studio Art & Design; Communications & Media; and Interaction & Computing. 

Course examples include Drawing I: Observation and Visual Language; Drawing and Visuality; Introduction to Visual Media; Figure Drawing/Anatomy; Computer Animation for Dramatic Media; Color Techniques in Scientific Illustration; Drawing and Visuality; Three-Dimensional Design; Ideation and Methodologies; Proseminar in Studio Art; and Color/Composition. 

The Art/Scientific Illustration BFA program at University of Georgia culminates with the Studio Art Capstone; Capstone Exhibition and Professional Practices; or the Graphic Design Senior Capstone. 

Graduates are prepared to work in the entertainment, medical, scientific, education, and many other fields. They have been hired at advertising agencies, publishing firms (books, journals, magazines), animation studios, software and app developers, serious games studios, legal firms, device and biotech companies, medical education firms, research institutions, the U.S. Military, science communication studios, hospitals and clinics, veterinary schools, and medical practices. 

Chartered by the State of Georgia in 1785, University of Georgia is the nation’s first state university. The school serves approximately 40,115 students enrolled in more than 400 programs and options across 17 colleges and schools. University of Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The school is also accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) is home to the College of Arts + Architecture (COA+A). Serving more than 1,000 students, the COA+A provides more than 30 degrees and concentrations across the Departments of Art and Art History; Music; Dance; and Theatre. The Department of Art and Art History houses four undergraduate degree programs, three major options, and an Art History minor. At the graduate level, the department has a certificate in Teaching for Art Education.  

Housed in the Rowe Arts Building, the Department of Art and Art History provides access to three exhibition spaces including Side Gallery, Rowe Lower Gallery, and Upper Gallery. Students also have access to the Print Media Lab; Rowe 3D Studio; Painting and Ceramics Studios; performance spaces, Rowe Recital Hall; Macy Graphic Design Computer Lab; and Rowe Digital Fabrication Lab (RoFL). 

All UNC Charlotte Art and Art History students have the opportunity to join on-campus organizations such as the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Student Chapter, Cerama, and Art & Mindfulness. The department also runs a recurring study abroad summer program in Rome and paid internship opportunities at local museums and performing arts centers. 

For students seeking a degree in Illustration, UNC Charlotte has an Art BFA with a concentration in Illustration. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the Art BFA requires 120 credit hours, with 79 credit hours of required courses within the Department of Art and Art History. The Illustration concentration consists of 33 credit hours. Students can reach the remaining required credits through electives. 

Course examples for the concentration include Figure and Anatomy; Narrative Illustration for the Publishing Industry; Drawing/Expression in Print Media; Visual Development: Character Design; Narrative Illustration for the Entertainment Industry; Drawing I-II; and Visual Development: Environment. Students will also take major courses such as 2D Design; Digital Foundations; 3D Design; Art History Survey I-II; 3D Design; First Year Seminar; and Contemporary Art History. 

In the final year of the program, students will complete Senior Seminar and the Illustration Projects course. Final projects will be presented at the BFA Illustration Exhibition. Graduates are prepared to pursue titles such as Magazine Illustrator, Book Cover Artist, Graphic Novelist, Animation Illustrator, Game Artist, Scientific and Medical Illustrator, Comic Book Artist, Storyboard Artist, and Poster Artist. 

Founded in 1946, University of North Carolina at Charlotte serves approximately 30,300 students, making it the third largest school in the 16-campus UNC System. This public research university provides more than 170 programs across nine colleges. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The College of Art and Design at Rochester Institute of Technology houses the School of Art, home to the Illustration Program. Specific program options for Illustrators include an Illustration BFA, and BFA and MFA degrees in Medical Illustration. The Medical Illustration MFA is one of only five programs of its kind in North America, and the only program of its kind in the Northeast. 

All programs feature small class sizes of no more than 16 students; access to RIT facilities such as Studio 96, the Illustration Studio, and Witmeyer Mac Lab; and lectures and demos led by 15+ visiting artists each year. School of Art students also benefit from cooperative education and internships with top companies; networking opportunities through RIT’s industry partnerships; and study abroad experiences in countries around the world. Students in all programs also have the opportunity to exhibit their work in one of RIT's gallery spaces, and participate in Creative Industry Day where they can interview with company representatives for cooperative (co-op) education experiences and permanent positions. 

The Illustration BFA at Rochester Institute of Technology has an 81% employment rate and the Medical Illustration BFA and MFA have a 100% employment rate. Graduates of the Illustration BFA Program work in Design, Fine Arts, Advertising, Media, Publishing, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, and the Performing Arts. Examples of job titles include Multimedia Illustrator, Digital Artist, Editorial Illustrator, Comic Artist, Book Illustrator, Creative Director, Advertising Illustrator, Concept Artist, Sequential Illustrator, Illustrative Designer, Textbook Illustrator, Political Cartoon Artist, Game Asset Illustrator, Animation Artist, Motion Graphics Artist, and Graphic Novel Illustrator. 

Medical Illustration BFA graduates hold positions such as Medical Editorial Illustrator, Medical Book/Texts Illustrator, Information Graphics Illustrator, 2D Medical Animator, Medical-Legal Illustrator/Litigation Support Specialist, Forensics Illustrator, Medical Interactive/Interface Designer, Exhibitor, Ophthalmologic Illustrator, and Prosthesis Designer/Anaplastologist. 

Graduates of the Medical Illustration MFA Program at Rochester Institute of Technology often take on leadership roles in Medical and Legal Illustration, Information Graphics, Animation, and Computer Modeling. 

Rochester Institute of Technology was founded in 1829 as the Rochester Athenaeum. With global campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo, this research university serves more than 20,000 students, making it one of the largest private universities in the U.S. RIT provides 200+ academic programs across 10 colleges and institutes, and the School of Individualized Study. Rochester Institute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Columbia College Chicago (Columbia) has two paths to study Illustration—the BA or BFA. Both options explore traditional and digital illustration, visual storytelling, the illustration business, and the three commercial models including contract-based, institutional, and freelance. Across programs, students will develop skills through hands-on client-focused projects. Courses expose students to cartooning, digital illustration, figure drawing, painting, and typography. 

The Illustration BFA program at Columbia College Chicago is a professionally focused degree that requires advanced coursework and electives. The BA provides a foundation in Illustration, and allows students to add a second major or minor. Minor examples include Motion Graphics, Creative Writing, Game Art, Journalism, Animation, or Graphic Design. Second major examples include Game Art, Graphic Design, and Computer Animation.

Course examples across programs include Illustration: Materials & Techniques; Children’s Book Illustration; Cartooning; Illustration Studio I-III; Digital Illustration; Drawing the Graphic Novel; Concept Art; Special issues in Illustration; Design Lab; Survey of Typography; Design Thinking; Figure Drawing; Visual Culture; and Freelance Illustration. 

The culminating experience for the Illustration BA and BFA programs at Columbia College is the development and completion of a professional portfolio. Graduates are prepared to pursue positions in industries such as traditional book publishing, comic book publishing, animation, video games, fashion design, film, advertising, product design, magazine publishing, toy design, and architecture. 

Columbia College alumni have been hired at places such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, American Express, House of Vans, HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, The New Yorker, Institute of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, VICE Media, Chronicle Books, Juxtapoz Art & Culture Magazine, TimeOut Magazine, WBEZ Chicago, and Goose Island Beer Co. 

Columbia College Chicago was established in 1890 as the Columbia School of Oratory. The school serves nearly 6,700 students enrolled in more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. In addition to programs in creative areas such as communication and writing, media and digital, and music and sound, Columbia provides several business management programs. Columbia College Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The College of Fine Arts at University of Utah (The U) is home to the Department of Art & Art History, which houses an Art BFA program with an emphasis in Illustration. Program features include hands-on courses and projects; summer study abroad programs that focus on education in drawing and printmaking; and access to the ArtsForce program—a workshop- and events-based initiative that connects students to mentors, peers, and faculty members for professional development and networking. 

Students in all majors are required to complete the First Year Studio Foundations Program, which includes courses such as Introduction to Visual Language and Introduction to Art History. After the first year, students have the opportunity to customize their own path within their chosen emphasis and select projects that support their academic and career goals. 

In the Illustration emphasis consists of 56-62 credit hours. Students will explore concept development strategies, Illustration industry practices, and narrative techniques. Course examples include Illustration: World and Voice; Life Drawing; Illustration: Narrative Approaches; Typography 1: Form and Space; Intaglio I; History of Film and Media Arts; Figure Painting; and History of Graphic Design. 

The Art BFA with an Illustration emphasis culminates with the Illustration Capstone. By the end of this course, students will have a website with a portfolio of work and marketing materials such as business cards, postcards, and other promotional materials. 

Graduates are prepared to pursue titles such as Illustrator, Children’s Book Illustrator, Fine Artist, Comic Book Artist, Advertising Illustrator, Storyboard Artist, Scientific Illustrator, Art Director, Concept Artist, Gallery and Exhibition Designer, Editorial Illustrator, Book Illustrator, Character Designer, Fashion Illustrator, Art Journalist, Surface Designer, Visual Artist, Printmaker, and Art Professor. 

Founded in 1850, University of Utah is the state’s public flagship institution. A top-tier research university, The U serves 35,000+ students enrolled in more than 200 programs across 17 colleges and schools. University of Utah is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

The College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University (Purdue) is home to the Patti & Rusty Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the Rueff School houses the Department of Art and Design and a flexible Integrated Studio Arts BFA. Students in this program can major or minor in Drawing and Illustration.   

BFA students can select courses in illustration, computer art, drawing, mixed media, life drawing, painting, printmaking, silkscreen, alternative processes, relief, monoprint, art history, etching, and lithography. To enhance the degree students can take electives in areas such as textiles, sculpture, metals, and ceramics. 

Other program features include access to state-of-the-art studios, labs, and production spaces; field trips to conferences, galleries, museums, and design exhibitions; workshops, lectures, and demonstrations by visiting artists and designers; and access to more than 500 special interest clubs and student organizations such as the American Institute of Graphic Arts and Textile Art at Purdue (TAP). In addition, all BFA students may apply for a summer internship or participate in the co-op program. 

Graduates of Fine Arts BFA program at Purdue University are prepared to pursue careers in illustration, animation, publishing, filmmaking, video games, multimedia production, book publishing, comic books, photojournalism, and education, among others.  Program alumni are also prepared to seek positions at museums, galleries, and other cultural institutions. 

Purdue University is Indiana’s only land-grant university. Established in 1869, the school has campuses and centers across the state, as well as Purdue University Global and Purdue University Online. The main campus in West Lafayette, Indiana serves approximately 52,210 students, making it the second largest university in the state. Students at this location come from all 50 states and nearly 130 countries. 

Purdue provides more than 400 programs across 13 colleges and schools. Approximately 11% of all students at Purdue attend Purdue Polytechnic Institute, which provides 30 BS programs and more than 20 graduate degrees. Purdue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The Illustration BFA at Art Academy of Cincinnati (AAC) is a transdisciplinary, studio-based program that requires 120 credit hours. This includes 42 hours in the major and 27 in studio electives. Because the program is transdisciplinary, students have the opportunity to explore a variety of other creative areas such as animation, motion graphics, installation, sound art, printmaking, new media, drawing, digital sculpture, and Installation. 

Other program features include two- to six-month study abroad experiences in places such as Berlin, Hong Kong, and London; seminars and workshops; and summer internships in New York City and other cultural centers. 

All AAC students will complete the First Year Experience (FYE), which explores creative thinking, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving. FYE course examples include Ideation; Digital Literacy, Artist as Writer Workshop; Communication; and Discovery and Voice. Upon completion of the AAC FYE, students will move on to their chosen major. 

Illustration students will take courses such as Illustration: Narrative; Storyboarding and Compositing; Illustration: Process and Media; Storytelling Art for Motion Graphics; Comic Book Art; Introduction to 2D Animation; Social Practice in the Arts; Academy Design Service; Introduction to 3D Animation; Illustration: Communication; Artist Books; and Going Big: Professionalism Workshop. 

All Illustration students will complete one of the following: Exhibition Studio; Academy Design Service; Advanced Creative Writing Seminar: Poetics/Aesthetics; Museums, Knowledge, and Power; or the Internship. 

The Senior Year Experience (SYE) is the culminating experience for the AAC Illustration BFA program. The SYE consists of 18 credit hours including the Senior Pathway Studio 1-2, Senior Seminar, and the Senior Thesis. 

Graduates of the Illustration BFA program at Art Academy of Cincinnati are prepared to pursue careers in areas such as book and magazine publishing, animation, comic book publishing, film and video, game design, branding and packaging, architecture, advertising, graphic design, and fine art. 

Founded in 1869, Art Academy of Cincinnati serves 240 students enrolled in eight majors leading to a BFA, an Art Education MA, and a Graphic Design AS. AAC is a private independent college of art and design that became a charter member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) in 1948. The school is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Southern Utah University (SUU) is home to the College of Performing and Visual Arts (CVPA), which houses the Department of Filmmaking, Art & Design. Within the department is a Studio Art BFA with an Illustration emphasis, and an Illustration minor. Across programs, students benefit from participation in critiques and discussions; workshops and seminars; opportunities to exhibit works; and the opportunity to complete an internship and/or study abroad experience.

The Studio Arts BFA requires 120 credit hours, including 51 credits in Illustration and Illustration electives. The Illustration minor requires 19.5 credit hours. Course examples for this program include Visual Development Studio; American Art; 2D Design; Drawing I-II; Narrative Illustration; Conceptual Illustration. Upon completion of the Illustration minor, students are prepared to pursue entry-level positions in the field or enroll in a BFA program, such as the SUU Studio Arts BFA.

SUU Studio Arts BFA students may focus in an area within Illustration or other creative area through required free electives. Students may choose up to 14 credit hours of free electives to include upper- level courses numbered 3000-4999. Course examples for the Program include Art Insights; Narrative Illustration; Painting I-III; Visual Development Studio; 3D Digital Illustration; Motion Graphics; Conceptual Illustration; and Aqueous Media.

In the final year of the Studio Arts BFA Program at Southern Utah University, students will complete Senior BFA Studio I: Professional Practices and Portfolio Systems, and Senior BFA Studio II: BFA Exhibition and Portfolio Completion. This is the culminating experience for the program.

Graduates of the Studio Arts/Illustration BFA Program at Southern Utah University are prepared for careers in areas such as traditional book publishing, animation, comic books, game art and design, graphic design, film and television, toy design, advertising, architecture, fine arts, and education.

Some Studio Arts alumni go on to launch their own studios or freelance careers. Program alumni go on to enroll in a graduate at Southern Utah University and other top universities across the U.S.

Founded in 1897, Southern Utah University serves more than 15,000 students enrolled 180+ degree and certificate programs. SUU also provides a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology—the only Psy.D. program in the state of Utah. The academic programs at SUU are housed across seven colleges and dozens of departments. Southern Utah University has been continually accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) since 1933. The school is also an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

University of Connecticut (UConn) is home to the School of Fine Arts, which houses the Department of Art and Art History. Fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the department has Art BA and BFA programs that provide the opportunity to study Illustration through a concentration (BFA) or electives (BA). 

Consisting of 120 credit hours, the BFA program curriculum explores both traditional approaches in Illustration and new technologies. The Illustration/Animation concentration allows students to create projects in digital and analog environments including character and environment design; children’s illustration; 2-D and stop-motion animation; comics, cartoons, and graphic novels; design for products; book, editorial, and institutional illustration; and self-promotion. 

Also consisting of 120 credits, the BA includes 24 Art Studio elective credits, allowing students to create an informal focus in Illustration. Students in this program have access to courses such as Illustration; Animation Fundamentals; Topics in Illustration; Life Drawing; Studio Concepts; Introduction to Digital Media; Graphic Design; and Going Pro: Professional Practices in Illustration and Animation.  

In addition to a variety of courses, both BA and BFA students benefit from small class sizes; collaborative, project based-learning; study abroad opportunities; and access to state-of-the art computer labs, exhibition spaces, and art-making studios in the UConn Bishop Center. Facilities include a high-powered Cintiq computer lab for high-end 3D work, a speedy render farm, and a brand new 688 ft Motion Capture Studio. 

In addition, each year UConn hosts an on-campus Internship Fair. Many internships lead to full-time employment upon graduation. UConn students have interned at places such as NASA, Disney, NBC Sports, the Connecticut Museum of Natural History, The Bronx Zoo, GE, and the State Department of Education. 

The Art BA and BFA programs at University of Connecticut culminate with the Senior Project course and participation in the Senior Show. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles across industries. 

UConn Art BA and BFA alumni typically land positions within six months of graduation. Program alumni have gone on to successful careers as Children’s Book Illustrators, Product Designers, Comic Book Artists, Editorial Illustrators, Cover Art Designers, Cartoonists, Storyboard Artists, Character and Environment Designers, and Graphic Novel Illustrators. 

UConn Illustration/Animation alumni are employed at major studios and companies such as Pixar, Google Creative, Lego, YouTube Gaming, and Stoopid Buddy Studios.  

Some graduates go on to be accepted into MFA programs at the places such as Yale University (Yale); Goldsmiths, University of London (Goldsmiths); Royal College of Art (RCA); Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). 

University of Connecticut began as Storrs Agricultural School in 1881. The school opened with just three faculty members and 13 male students. Today, UConn’s more than 18,000 faculty and staff members serve a coed population of approximately 32,100 students across the main campus at Storrs, and four regional campuses. 

Programs at UConn are administered across 14 colleges and schools. Options include eight undergraduate degrees in 123 majors, 17 graduate degrees in 95 fields of study, and six professional degree programs. University of Connecticut is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).