Although for different reasons, some of the “best” animation schools are also some of the “top” animation schools—at least according to students, alums, and a bunch of ambitious bloggers! So, how does an animation school make the “best schools list?” Ask any reliable ranking organization such as Princeton Review or U.S. News & World Report and the answer is the school has to offer a variety of programs, it must have excellent graduation and retention rates, faculty resources (student-teacher ratio), excellent financial resources, and it must be selective. Peer assessment may also come into play.
A top animation school may make the “top schools” list based on other factors that affect a student’s quality of life such as cost and convenience. Other factors may include job placement services, types of clubs and organizations, access to recreation, student population, and more. In the end, a top school can still be the “best,” even if it’s for different reasons. Continue reading to find out which Maryland animation schools made “top animation schools” list and what they have to offer.
Top Animation School Programs Maryland (Baltimore)
Baltimore
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Student Population: 10,573
Backdrop: Urban, 530-acre campus, easy access to Washington, D.C.
Degrees Offered: B. A., B. F. A. Visual Arts with Concentration in Animation/Interactive Media or Graphic Design; M. F. A. Imaging
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Morgan State University
Student Population: 6,114
Backdrop: Urban, 143-acre campus, easy access to Washington, D.C.
Degrees Offered: B. A. Fine Arts with Concentration in Graphic Design, Illustration
Maryland Institute College of Art
Student Population: 1,737
Backdrop: Urban, 17-acre campus, easy access to Washington, D.C.
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Animation, Drawing, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interaction Design and Art; M. F. A. Graphic Design, Illustration Practice, Photographic and Electronic Media; Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Graphic Design
Baltimore-Towson
Goucher College
Student Population: 1,446
Backdrop: 287-acre campus, just 10 miles outside of Baltimore
Degrees Offered: M.A. Digital Arts
Top Animation School Programs Maryland Other Cities and Towns
College Park
University of Maryland
Student Population: 26,876
Backdrop: Suburban, 1,500-acre campus, easy access to Washington D.C., Baltimore
Degrees Offered: B. A. Studio Art with Concentration in Digital Media, Graphic Design; M. F. A. Art with Concentration in Digital Media/New Genre
Towson
Towson University
Student Population: 17,529
Backdrop: Suburban, 321-acre campus, easy access to Washington D.C., Baltimore
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art and Design with Concentration in Digital Art and Design, Graphic Design, Illustration; M. F. A. Studio Art; Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Interactive Media Design
Salisbury
Salisbury University
Student Population: 7,706
Backdrop: Small town, 160-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. A., B. F. A. Art with Concentration in Graphic Design, New Media
Frostburg
Frostburg State University
Student Population: 4,755
Backdrop: Small town, 260-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Visual Arts with Concentration in Graphic Design
Bowie
Bowie State University
Student Population: 4,027
Backdrop: Small town, 295-acre campus, easy access to Washington D.C., Baltimore
Degrees Offered: B. A. Fine Arts with Concentration in Visual Communication and Digital Media Arts
Princess Anne
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Student Population: 3,326
Backdrop: Rural, 700-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. A. Applied Design with Concentration in Graphic Illustration, Sequential Arts
More Programs to Consider:
Selected Campus Locations:
Animation Career Review Rankings:
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#14) - 2024
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#12) - 2024
- Top 50 Nationally for Graphic Design (#36) - 2024
Selected Campus Locations:
Animation Career Review Rankings:
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#10) - 2024
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#34) - 2024
- Top 50 Nationally for Illustration (#24) - 2024
- Top 25 Nationally for UX/UI/HCI (#13) - 2024
- Top 25 Nationally for Visual Effects (#5) - 2023
Selected Campus Locations:
- School of the Arts - Florham Campus - Madison, NJ
Animation Career Review Rankings:
- Top 5 in New Jersey for Animation (#3) - 2024
- Top 5 in New Jersey for Game Design (#2) - 2024
Selected Campus Locations:
Selected Campus Locations:
Animation Career Review Rankings:
- Top 25 International Animation Training Programs (#18) - 2024
Sources
Peterson’s, www.petersons.com
Princeton Review, www.princetonreview.com
U.S. News & World Report College Rankings, www.usnews.com/rankings