| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus College of Art and Design | Columbus |
| 2 | Cleveland Institute of Art | Cleveland |
| 3 | Art Academy of Cincinnati | Cincinnati |
Our 2026 ranking of the top illustration schools in Ohio. 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.
The Illustration BFA program at Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD) focuses experiential learning and work opportunities with professional artists and comic writers and artists on the student publication Spitball: A CCAD Comics Anthology. Students can also work with animators, storytellers, writers, and comic artists through the Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC) festival. The program culminates with an Illustration Capstone and presentation at the Chroma: Best of CCAD exhibition. Graduates have gone on to establish careers at places such as Boeing, Pixar, Old Navy, GM, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Hasbro, DC Comics, Ogilvy, Airstream, Marvel Comics, DreamWorks, Hallmark, The Wall Street Journal, Disney, Sony Pictures, American Greetings, P&G, Cartoon Network, ATARI, Nutella, and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) is home to the Illustration and Life Sciences Illustration BFA programs. All students have personal, dedicated studio spaces and access to state-of-the-art production facilities. Other program highlights include real world experiences through partnerships with clients such as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame; visiting artists and designers; field trips to ad agencies and professional studios; and small-group seminars. Graduates have launched their own studios, published children’s books, and established careers at places such as American Greetings, Hasbro, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Disney, Electronic Arts (EA), Bethesda, Chronicle Books, the Olympic Games, and Cleveland Clinic.
Art Academy of Cincinnati (AAC) houses a transdisciplinary Illustration BFA program that combines hands-on learning with training in children’s books, animation, editorial, publishing, motion graphics, concept art, and installation. Other program highlights include study abroad experiences in places such as China and the UK; summer internships in New York City; dedicated state-of-the-art facilities and labs; and intensive workshops. The program culminates with The Senior Year Experience (SYE). Graduates have established careers at places such as The Los Angeles Times, Netflix, Comedy Central, P&G, Macy’s, LPK Branding Agency, Cincinnati Art Museum, Kroger, Velocity Design, Manifest Gallery, and SOS Art.
