
Although a “top” school doesn’t automatically make the list of “best” schools, and vice versa, somehow a large number of schools often end up on both lists. We say “somehow,” because the formula used to determine which schools belong on a “top” list is different from the formula used to compile a “best” list. Why? For starters, price is always a factor for top school lists. Another factor to consider is convenience. If a school is an easy commute on public transit or it is so convenient that students don’t have to worry about owning a car, the school might make the top schools list. Other factors that may be considered include job placement track record, types of clubs and organizations, cultural activities, access to recreation, sports teams, class size, and quality of the facilities.
Top school lists are typically compiled and published by students, alums, bloggers, and many small publishers (Internet and print), while best” lists are usually published by major organizations such as Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, and Princeton Review. These organizations base their picks on other factors such as number of program offerings, graduation and retention rates, peer assessment, faculty resources (student-teacher ratio), financial resources, and student selectivity.
Continue reading to learn more about Connecticut’s top animation schools and what they have to offer. Please note that the schools are in order from largest to smallest student population.
Top Animation School Programs Connecticut Major Cities
West Hartford
Hartford Art School
Student Population: 5,498
Backdrop: Urban, 340-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Illustration, Media Arts, Visual Communication; M. F. A. Illustration
Bridgeport
Shintaro Akatsu School of Design
Student Population: 2,534
Backdrop: Urban, 86-acre campus, easy access to New York City
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design; B.S. Industrial Design
Top Animation School Programs Connecticut Other Cities and Towns
Storrs
University of Connecticut
Student Population: 17,345
Backdrop: Rural, 4,108-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Concentration in Illustration or Communication Design
Old Lyme
Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts
Student Population: est. 80-150
Backdrop: Rural, 40-acre campus, easy access to Hartford, New haven
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Illustration
More Programs to Consider:
- San Francisco & Online
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#15) - 2020
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#23) - 2020
- Top 40 Nationally for Illustration (#29) - 2020
- Atlanta, Georgia; Savannah, Georgia; Lacoste, France; and SCAD eLearning
- Animation – BFA, MA, MFA
- Film and Television – BFA, MA, MFA
- Graphic Design – BA, BFA, MA, MFA
- Illustration – BA, BFA, MA, MFA
- Immersive Reality - BFA
- Interactive Design and Game Development – BA, BFA, MA, MFA
- Motion Media Design – BFA, MA, MFA
- Sequential Art – BA, BFA, MA, MFA
- Visual Effects – BFA, MA, MFA
- User Experience (UX) Design – BFA
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#3) - 2020
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#12) - 2020
- Top 50 Nationally for Graphic Design (#9) - 2020
- Top 40 Nationally for Illustration (#9) - 2020
- Winter Park, FL & Online
- Computer Animation - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Game Programs - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Graphic Design & Digital Arts - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Film & Digital Cinematography - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Mobile Development - Bachelor's - Online
- Simulation & Visualization - Bachelor's - Campus
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#19) - 2020
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#17) - 2020
- Top 5 in Florida for Graphic Design (#4) - 2020
- Online
Sources
Peterson’s, www.petersons.com
Princeton Review, www.princetonreview.com
U.S. News & World Report College Rankings, www.usnews.com/rankings