| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis College of Art and Design | Minneapolis |
| 2 | Minnesota State University Moorhead | Moorhead |
Our 2026 ranking -our fifteenth annual- of the top animation school programs in Minnesota. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) provides several paths to study animation. Options include the Animation BFA; Animation minor; and Visual Studies MFA. Graduate students may pursue creative work in areas such as animation, comic arts, film/video, illustration, or interactive design. All students have opportunities to intern at Nickelodeon, MTV, or MASS MoCA, among others. Study abroad experiences in places such as Japan and the UK are also on the menu. Degree programs culminate with a project and presentation or exhibition. MCAD graduates have been hired at places such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, Electronic Arts (EA), Apple, Nickelodeon, MTV, Nike, and Walker Art Center.
The School of Media Arts, Design and Entertainment at Minnesota State University Moorhead (Minnesota State Moorhead) houses an Animation BFA program that provides the opportunity to work with student-run Dragon Entertainment Group. With a core consisting of 54 credit hours, the program explores 2D and 3D animation, game graphics and 3D simulations, stop-motion animation, and technical graphics. Other program benefits include field trips to studios, festivals, museums, and professional conferences; internships; study abroad at the University of Lincoln (UK); participation in the Anime Club; one-on-one mentorship; and engagement with community partners such Habitat for Humanity, F/M Opera, and the Minnesota State Historical Society. The program culminates with a capstone and public presentation. Animation alumni have been hired at places such as Disney, Noble Knight Games, YouTube, Nokia, EIS Digital Publishing, Smithsonian Institution, North Star Imaging, and Show Low TV.
