| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design | Denver |
| 2 | University of Colorado Denver | Denver |
Our 2026 ranking of the top illustration schools in Colorado. 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 the ranking criteria, click here.
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) has two paths to study illustration including an Illustration BFA that can be completed on campus or online, and an online Illustrative Design BFA. The Illustration BFA has concentrations in Sequential Art, Children’s Books, and Concept Art. One of the few programs of its kind in the U.S. the Illustrative Design BFA explores branding, motion design, logo design, and data visualization. Across programs, students benefit from small class sizes; professional internships; collaborative projects with working illustrators; and state-of-the-art studios and labs. Graduates have been hired at places such as DreamWorks, Crispin, Disney, Epic Games, Pixar, Marvel, and Nickelodeon.
The College of Arts and Media (CAM) at University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) houses a Visual Arts BFA program with an Illustration emphasis and an Illustration minor. All students have access to state-of-the art digital labs, sculpture studios, and industrial equipment. BFA students also have opportunities to complete a professional internship; study abroad; and collaborate on projects for clients such as Pixar and the Denver Art Museum. The program culminates with the Illustration BFA Thesis and Exhibition. Graduates go on to land roles at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Pixar, Google, Apple, Nickelodeon, Disney, Lucasfilm, Sony, the Denver Art Museum, Warner Bros., and NBC Universal.
