What are the best animation school programs in Indiana for 2026?
Top Animation School Programs in Indiana - 2026 College Rankings
| Ranking | School | City |
|---|
| 1 | Purdue University | West Lafayette |
| 2 | Ball State University | Muncie |
| 3 | Indiana University Indianapolis | Indianapolis |
| 4 | Huntington University | Huntington |
Our 2026 ranking -our fifteenth annual- of the top animation school programs in Indiana. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
1. Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
Purdue University (Purdue) is home to Purdue Polytechnic Institute. Serving more than 7,000 students at 11 locations across Indiana, Purdue Polytechnic houses the Department of Computer Graphics Technology (CGT), which provides several paths to study animation. Options include a CGT BS with a STEM-designated major in Animation and Visual Effects (ANFX); the CGT MS; and a Five-Year CGT BS/MS. All students have the opportunity to complete a professional internship, several animated films, and a study abroad experience. Graduates can be found at places such as Disney, DreamWorks, and Animation Mentor. Some alumni have also gone on to launch their own studios or freelance businesses.
2. Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana
The College of Fine Arts at Ball State University (Ball State) is home to the School of Art. A Toon Boom Center of Excellence (COE), the school houses a Visual Arts/Animation BFA program with concentrations in Animation Production; VFX Animation; Game Art/Design; and Illustration. Program highlights include access to 57,000 square feet of state-of-the-art studios and classrooms; collaborative courses led by artists from Disney and other major studios; internship opportunities; and study abroad experiences. The program culminates with a completed demo reel and senior project presented at a student exhibition. Graduates have gone on to pursue roles at places such as DreamWorks, Nintendo, Disney, Amazon, Pixar, MTV, Google, PlayStation, Comedy Central, Oracle, and Minnetrista Museum & Gardens.
3. Indiana University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
Indiana University Indianapolis (IU Indianapolis) is home to the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering. Within the school is a Media Arts and Sciences BS (MAS BS) program with a specialization in 3D Graphics and Animation. All MAS students have access to state-of-the-art production facilities such as Media Arts Research and Learning Arcade (MARLA), the Emerging technologies Lab, and Video Editing Lab (VELa). Students may also participate in the study abroad experience in Greece and the internship program. The MAS BS culminates with a final project and exhibition. Graduates can be found at places such as Pixar, Rockstar Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Blizzard Entertainment, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Digital Domain, Owlchemy Labs, and Gearbox Software.
4. Huntington University, Huntington, Indiana
Huntington University (HU) has an Animation BS program that allows students to begin animating in the very first semester. With access to state-of-the-art computer, stop motion, editing, and traditional labs, students can also focus in solely on Animation or Visual Effects. Other program highlights include team projects in simulated studio settings; the Internship in Digital Media Arts; participation in film festivals; local, national, and international animation trips during spring break; and the Junior Animation Studio class, where students have the opportunity to work alongside real clients to create marketing materials or public service announcements. The program culminates with a final project and portfolio. Graduates can be found at places such as DreamWorks, Riot Games, Disney, Amazon, Eli Lilly, and ABC Network.
