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Did you know? Luddy IUPUI alumni work at Rockstar Games, 4A, Sony Imageworks, Owlchemy Labs (Google), Cantina Creative, Pixar, Blizzard, Rockstar, Pipeworks Studio and more! They are employed as Lighting Artists, Animators, Set Dressers and Modelers, 3D Artists, Designers, and Illustrators. Learn more. 

Top Animation Programs in Michigan

Last updated April 27, 2022.

Michigan
Examples of Top Animation Programs in Michigan
SchoolCity
College for Creative StudiesDetroit
Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State UniversityGrand Rapids
Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale
Lawrence Technological UniversitySouthfield

So, what’s the difference between a “Best” animation school and a “Top” animation school? For starters, the criteria used to establish a “best” program might be different for top programs. One area that “best of” lists might not consider is the student population. These students may choose a top school for different reasons than someone that might choose a best school. For example, a top school may cost less than a best school, it might be more convenient than a best school, or the admissions process might be easier, meaning, being wait-listed might be a worry.

Simply put, a top school can still be a beloved school (and a quality one to boot), but this might have more to do with being sensible than anything! That said, some of the best schools also made the list of top schools, so continue reading to find out which Michigan animation schools made the cut. Please note that the top schools listed below are in order by student population from largest to smallest.

Top Animation School Programs Michigan Major Cities

Ann Arbor
University of Michigan
Student Population: 27,407
Backdrop: Urban, 3,177-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. A., B. F. A. Art & Design

Detroit
College for Creative Studies
Student Population: 1,307
Backdrop: Urban, 11-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Entertainment Arts/Animation, Graphic Design, Illustration; M. F. A. Design

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Grand Rapids
Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University
Student Population: 1,141
Backdrop: Urban, 2-acre campus
B. F. A. Digital Media, Graphic Design, Illustration

Top Animation School Programs Michigan Other Cities and Towns

Allendale
Grand Valley State University
Student Population: 24,500
Backdrop: Suburban, 1,304-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A., B. A. Art and Design with Emphasis in Graphic Design, Illustration; B. A., B. S. Communications: Film and Video Production with Animation/New Media Emphasis

Mount Pleasant
Central Michigan University
Student Population: 21,698
Backdrop: Small town, 854-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. A. or B. F. A. Art with Graphic Design Concentration; M. A. Broadcast and Cinematic Arts: Electronic Media Management or Electronic Media Production

Kalamazoo
Western Michigan University
Student Population: 20,054
Backdrop: Small town, 1,200-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design, Photography, and Intermedia

Southfield
Lawrence Technological University
Student Population: 4,000
Backdrop: Small town, 102-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Game Art, Graphic Design, Imaging – Digital Arts

Adrian
Siena Heights University
Student Population: 2,307
Backdrop: Small town, 140-acre campus, easy access to Detroit
Degrees Offered: B. A., B. F. A. Art with Concentration in Graphic Design

Bloomfield Hills
Cranbrook Academy of Art
Student Population: 150+
Backdrop: Suburban, 315-acre campus, easy access to Detroit
Degrees Offered: M. F. A. 2D Design (Graphic Design)

More Programs to Consider:

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Indiana University Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering at IUPUI
Selected Campus Locations:
  • Indianapolis, Indiana
Selected Programs: 
  • Media Arts and Science—B.S. (specialize in 3D Graphics and Animation or Game Design and Development)
  • 3D Graphics and Animation—minor
  • Game Design and Development—minor
  • Studio Art and Technology—minor
  • Virtual Production—certificate
Animation Career Review Rankings: 
  • Top 40 Nationally among Public Animation Schools and Colleges (#39) - 2023
  • Top 25 Animation Bachelor's of Science (BS) Degree Programs in the U.S. (#18) - 2023
  • Top 25 Animation Schools in Midwest (#17) - 2023
  • Top 5 Animation School Programs in Indiana (#3) - 2023
  • Top 25 Nationally among Public Game Design Schools in the U.S. (#25) - 2023
  • Top 20 Game Design Schools in the Midwest (#10) - 2023
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Central Michigan University
Selected Campus Locations:
  • Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Selected Programs: 
  • BFA in Animation
  • BAA in Animation
Animation Career Review Rankings: 
  • Top 5 in Michigan for Animation - 2023 (#5)
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Academy of Art University
Selected Campus Locations:
  • San Francisco & Online
Selected Programs: 
  • Animation
  • Game Development
  • Graphic Design
  • Illustration
Animation Career Review Rankings: 
  • Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#15) - 2023
  • Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#36) - 2023
  • Top 50 Nationally for Graphic Design (#46) - 2022
  • Top 50 Nationally for Illustration (#29) - 2022
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Full Sail University
Selected Campus Locations:
  • Winter Park, FL & Online
Selected Programs: 
  • 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
  • Simulation & Visualization - Bachelor's - Campus
  • Game Business & Esports Bachelor’s of Science - Online & Campus
  • User Experience Bachelor's Degree – Online
Animation Career Review Rankings: 
  • Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#14) - 2023
  • Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#8) - 2023
  • Top 50 Nationally for Graphic Design (#33) - 2022
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CG Spectrum College of Digital Art & Animation
Selected Campus Locations:
  • Online
Selected Programs: 
  • 2D Animation
  • 3D Animation
  • 3D Modeling
  • Concept Art
  • Digital Illustration
  • Game Art & Animation
  • Game Design
  • Game Programming
  • VFX Compositing and FX
  • Real-time 3D & Virtual Production
  • Game Development - Programming, Design, Game Art & Animation, Real-time 3D & Virtual Production
Animation Career Review Rankings: 
  • Top 25 International Animation Training Programs (#25) - 2022

Sources

Peterson’s, www.petersons.com
Princeton Review, www.princetonreview.com
U.S. News & World Report College Rankings, www.usnews.com/rankings

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