| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clemson University | Clemson |
| 2 | University of South Carolina | Columbia |
Our 2026 ranking -our fifteenth annual- of the top animation school programs in South Carolina. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
Clemson University (Clemson) provides several paths to study animation. At the undergraduate level, students can earn an Art BA with a Digital Art and Design Media emphasis or a Digital Production Arts (DPA) minor. This option is open to students in all majors. At the graduate level, the school has DPA MFA and MS programs. Across programs, students will explore area such as animation, games, visual effects, film production, human computer interaction (HCI), computer science, visualization, and virtual reality (VR). Graduates can be found at places such as Pixar, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DreamWorks, Electronic Arts (EA), Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Reel FX.
The School of Visual Art and Design (SVAD) at University of South Carolina (USC) provides programs that highlight study abroad experiences such as Art and Culture of Japan, and Kenya: Enhancing Perceptions Through Art and Art Making. SVAD programs also take place in an 85,000 square feet facility customized for projects in the visual arts. Other highlights include participation in SVAD Studio, which hosts exhibitions, workshops, and visiting artist talks; assistantships for graduate students; internships; and opportunities to design and install works at Passage Gallery. SVAD options for animators include the BA, MA, and minor in Media Arts. Programs culminate with a final project and exhibition. Graduates have gone on to establish careers at places such as Disney, Marvel, HBO, Blizzard Entertainment, Pixar, NBCUniversal, Amazon MGM Studios, Nickelodeon, Boeing, Warner Bros., Netflix, and Showtime.
