
What do you think is better – a “best animation school” or a “top animation school?” You may not have to decide because many schools are one in the same! However, these schools earn “top” or “best’ status for different reasons. A top-tier school may earn the “best” title based on factors such as the financial resources, graduation and retention rates number of program offerings, peer assessment, faculty resources (student-teacher ratio), and student selectivity. The “top” title may be awarded to a school that is considered affordable, convenient, a leader when it comes to job placement, and other factors. In the state of Ohio, a large number of colleges and universities made both lists.
At 215 and counting, Ohio is home to one of the largest collections of colleges and universities in the U.S. In fact, Ohio has the sixth largest number of colleges and universities in the nation. Just a few top Ohio colleges include Kent State University, Case Western Reserve University, Miami-Oxford University, and Ohio University. Many of Ohio’s top schools offer top-tier art and design programs—including animation programs. Kent State and Ohio University are just a few.
Continue reading to find out which Ohio animation schools are tops and what they have to offer. Please note that the schools listed below are in order from largest to smallest student population.
Top Animation School Programs Ohio Major Cities
Columbus
The Ohio State University
Student Population: 42,916
Backdrop: Urban 3,469-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art and Technology, B. S. Design with Concentration in Visual Communication Design; M. F. A. Art and Technology; M. F. A. Digital Animation and Interactive Media
Columbus
Columbus College of Art & Design
Student Population: 1,359
Backdrop: Urban, 17-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Advertising and Graphic Design, Animation, Illustration and Media Studies; M. F. A. Visual Arts: New Projects
Cleveland
Cleveland Institute of Art
Student Population: 546
Backdrop: Urban, 5-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Animation, Communication Design, Game Design, Illustration, Technology and Integrated Media Environment (T. I. M. E.) – Digital Arts, Video
Top Animation School Programs Ohio Other Cities and Towns
Kent
Kent State University
Student Population: 22,260
Backdrop: Suburban, 1,200-acre, easy access to Cleveland
Degrees Offered: B. A., B. F. A. Graphic Design – 2D, Graphic Design – 3D, Photo-Illustration, B. S. Computer Design, Animation and Game Design; M. A., M. F. A. Visual Communication Design
Athens
Ohio University
Student Population: 21,655
Backdrop: Small town, 1,773-acre
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design, B. S. C. Digital Media: Special Effects, Games and Animation; M. F. A. Graphic Design
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
Princeton Review
U.S. News & World Report College Rankings