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What are the best animation school programs in Maryland for 2026?
| Ranking | School | City | Ranking by Region | National Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Maryland Institute College of Art | Baltimore | #9 on East Coast | #37 |
| #2 | University of Maryland, Baltimore County | Baltimore | #21 on East Coast | Unranked |
| #3 | Towson University | Towson | Unranked | Unranked |
Our 2026 ranking -our fifteenth annual- of the top animation school programs in Maryland.
The criteria we used for the animation rankings consists, in no particular order, of the following: Academic reputation, Employment data, Admission selectivity, Depth and breadth of the program, Value as it relates to tuition and indebtedness, Graduation rate, and Retention rate. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
1. Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Maryland
The Animation Department at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) has two paths to study animation including the BFA in Studio and Humanistic Studies and the Animation minor. The BFA includes a 54 credit hour major in Animation, Game Design, Film and Video, Illustration, or Interactive Art, among others. The Animation major is immersive, which allows students to spend the majority of their time creating animated films or other works. The minor consists of 15 credit hours leading to a final project. The BFA program culminates with a year-long capstone/thesis consisting of a film, interactive media work, or installation. Final projects are presented at the MICA Grad Show. MICA graduates can be found at places such as DreamWorks, Disney, MTV, and LAIKA.
Maryland Institute College of Art — Ranking Factors
The following factors contribute to MICA's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Excellent Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 2)
Faculty Size: Mid-Sized Faculty (Tier 3)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Accessible (Tier 4)
Average Net Cost: Elevated Average Net Cost (Tier 4)
Student Indebtedness: Elevated Student debt (Tier 4)
Graduation Rate: Moderate Graduation Rate (Tier 3)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong First-Year Student Retention (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
2. University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland
The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) at University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) is home to the Department of Visual Arts. Within the department are Visual Arts BA and BFA programs with the option to add the Animation concentration. Program highlights include hands-on projects; advanced level courses that explore 2D and 3D, hybrid processes, and emerging technologies; and the opportunity to gain work experience through Imaging Research Center Internship (IRC). The culminating experience for the programs is a final project to be presented at the Senior Exit Exhibition. Graduates have landed positions at places such as DreamWorks, Marvel, Disney, and DC Comics.
University of Maryland Baltimore County — Ranking Factors
The following factors contribute to UMBC' s position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Moderate Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 4)
Faculty Size: Small Faculty (Tier 4)
Graduate Employment: Strong Employment Outcomes (Tier 2)
Admissions Selectivity: Accessible (Tier 4)
Average Net Cost: Low-mid Average Net Cost (Tier 2)
Student Indebtedness: Low Student Debt (Tier 2)
Graduation Rate: Fair Graduation Rate (Tier 4)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong First-Year Student Retention (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.
3. Towson University, Towson, Maryland
The College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) at Towson University (TU) houses the Department of Art + Design, Art History, and Art Education. Within the department is an Art and Design BFA program with a Digital Art and Design concentration. The curriculum also includes a specialization. Options include Animation; Digital Arts; and Experimental. Other program features include access to a dedicated animation studio, media production lab, and audio facilities; participation in exhibitions and the monthly lecture series; professional internships; and study abroad opportunities. The culminating experience for the program is a final project and presentation. Graduates are often hired at places such as DreamWorks, Sony Pictures Animation, Disney, Marvel, Paramount, Warner Bros., MTV, and ESPN.
Towson University — Ranking Factors
The following factors contribute to TU's position in Animation Career Review's 2026 animation school rankings.
Academic Peer Recognition: Moderate Academic Peer Recognition (Tier 4)
Faculty Size: Small Faculty (Tier 4)
Graduate Employment: Moderate Employment Outcomes (Tier 3)
Admissions Selectivity: Accessible (Tier 4)
Average Net Cost: Low-mid Average Net Cost (Tier 2)
Student Indebtedness: Low Student Debt (Tier 2)
Graduation Rate: Moderate Graduation Rate (Tier 3)
First-Year Retention Rate: Strong First-Year Student Retention (Tier 2)
Ranking Factor Tiers: Tier 1 represents the strongest performance and Tier 5 represents the weakest performance within each ranking factor.