| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond |
| 2 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg |
Our 2022 ranking -our eleventh annual- of the top animation school programs in Virginia. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) School of the Arts (VCUArts) houses the Department of Kinetic Imaging (KI), which offers BFA and MFA degrees in Kinetic Imaging. Students in these multidisciplinary programs will take courses in, and explore areas, such as animation, virtual reality, emerging media, video art, programming, sound design, interactivity, web technologies, and motion graphics, among others.
At the undergraduate level, students will complete the Art Foundation Program (AFO) in the first year. This is a requirement for all students in all art and design departments. The AFO is studio-based. After completing the foundation year, BFA in KI students will level up to courses such as Animation I-IV, Virtual Interactive Worlds, 3D Computer Animation, and Sound Communication. The BFA in KI takes four years to complete, full-time.
Graduates of the VCUArts BFA in Kinetic Imaging Program are 2D and 3D Animators, Directors, Sound Designers, Motion Graphics Artists, and UI/UX Designers, to name a few.
The MFA in Kinetic Imaging is a 60 credit hour, studio-based program that supports no more than eight students. Graduate students have 24/7 access to personal studios, and access to animation, video and sound production spaces. MFA students also have opportunities to teach in the undergraduate KI program.
The Virginia Commonwealth University MFA in KI Program takes two years to complete, full-time.
Founded in 1838, Virginia Commonwealth University serves around 29,400 students. VCU offers more than 200 programs across 15+ colleges, school, and centers. Virginia Commonwealth University accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The College of Architecture and Urban Studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) houses the School of Visual Arts (SOVA), which offers BFA and MFA degrees in Creative Technologies (CT). Students in both programs benefit from the SOVA Study Abroad Program (three weeks in Europe), visiting artist workshops, exhibitions, and internship opportunities.
Areas of exploration for these cross-disciplinary programs include animation, virtual reality, emerging media, fine arts, gaming, visual art, technology, 3D modeling, games, design, virtual environments, video art, installation, and more. MFA students will present an MFA Thesis Project to graduate and BFA students will complete a final project and portfolio.
Virginia Tech SOVA graduates go on to establish successful careers in animation, film, and visual effects industries, game art and design, virtual reality, UI/UX, motion graphics, production, and education, among others.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University opened on October 1, 1872 as Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College. The school serves more than 36,000 students enrolled in 280 programs in nine colleges and a graduate school. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
