| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | College for Creative Studies | Detroit |
| 2 | Ferris State University | Big Rapids and Grand Rapids |
| 3 | Northern Michigan University | Marquette |
Our 2025 ranking of the top illustration schools in Michigan. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
College for Creative Studies (CCS) has an Illustration BFA program that provides opportunities to intern at places such as Disney, Insomniac Games, Ball Aerospace, Crispin, Mattel Inc., Reader’s Digest, Cartoon Network, and Hasbro. Electives for the program allow students to focus in a specific area of illustration. For students in other creative programs at CCS, an Illustration minor is also available. CCS Illustration graduates have gone on to land positions at places such as Disney, Nike, Blizzard Entertainment, The New York Times, Ford, Cartoon Network, The Washington Post, ESPN, and Converse.
Ferris State University (Ferris State) is home to Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD), which provides BFA degrees in Illustration, and Life Sciences and Pre-Medical Illustration. Non-degree programs include the Illustration minor and a Natural Science Illustration certificate. All programs include coursework in traditional illustration. Elective examples include Children’s Book Design; Publication Illustration; and Graphic Design for Illustrators. Other program features include access to KCAD galleries and the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA); state-of-the-art labs, studios, and production facilities; participation in the KCAD Illustration Society; and internships during the academic year and summer months; and summer travel/study experiences.
The College of Arts and Sciences at Northern Michigan University (NMU) houses the School of Art and Design. Within the school are Art and Design BA, BFA, BS, and AAA degrees with an Illustration concentration. Program benefits include opportunities to exhibit in DeVos Art Museum and the NMU Student Art Gallery; collaborative projects; access to new state-of-the-art studios; participation in critiques and discussions; and the opportunity to join to the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). Graduates are prepared to pursue roles in areas such as children’s book publishing, animation, game design, editorial, comics, advertising, graphic design, forensic illustration, storyboard art, fashion, textile design, architecture, and medical illustration.
