Top 25 Animation Schools and Colleges on the East Coast – 2025 College Rankings

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) opened its doors in the late 1800s with a mission to support Rhode Island’s growing jewelry and textile industries. The first courses of study at RISD focused in two areas: Freehand Drawing and Painting, and Mechanical Drawing and Design. Today, the school caters to artists of all kinds including from sculptors to animators. 

All programs provide hands-on learning with access to state-of-the-art production studios; Macintosh and CGI workstations equipped professional editing and production software; sound mixing studios; and digital editing rooms. RISD students also benefit from collaborative study; experimental projects; workshops; the First Year in Florence program; and internship opportunities with local and national studios. 

Rhode Island School of Design is also home to the Film/Animation/Video (FAV) Department. Serving approximately 150 students, the department houses the FAV BFA program, which combines animation, live-action, and open media. While students may specialize in any of the three areas, all students must complete first year studios in Experimental and Foundation Studies (EFS). Students will also take liberal arts courses to supplement studio studies. 

Course examples for the RISD FAV BFA include Puppetry; Character Animation; Topics in Movement: Performance Assemblages; Animation Practices; Storyboarding; Intermediate Studio: Animation; Directing Cinema; Stop-Motion Animation; Computer Generated Imagery 3D; Experiments in Stop-Motion Animation; Experimental Film Techniques; Digital Effects and Compositing for the Screen; Computer Animation: Integrated Techniques; Advanced Stop-Motion Animation; and Character Design. 

In the final year of the FAV BFA program at RISD, students will produce an independent project from idea to finished product. Students will receive critiques and individual guidance weekly from established industry professionals. Class meetings for the year will focus on group critiques, film screenings, and specialized technical workshops.

The year culminates with a professional reel, portfolio, and the RISD Senior Festival. Held in May, this public event allows students to network and present their final animated or live action films. 

Graduates of FAV BFA program at the Rhode Island School of Design have gone on to create, direct and/or produce animated films and series such as Family Guy (Seth Macfarlane, Creator), The Simpsons (Lance Wilder, Animator), and the Oscar-nominated animated short Feral (Daniel Sousa, Animator and Director). 

RISD graduates are also routinely hired at major networks and studios such as DreamWorks, HBO, Pixar, and PBS. Others have launched their own independent studios, freelance businesses, and production companies.

Rhode Island School of Design was founded in 1877 by a small group of women led by Helen Adelia Rowe Metcalf. One of the nation’s first independent colleges of art and design, RISD serves approximately 2,520 students enrolled in 44 full-time bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. This private nonprofit college and museum is fully accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and approved by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). 

RISD’s Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and MA in Teaching programs have special accreditation by the National Architecture Accrediting Board, the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board, and the RI Department of Education. 

With locations in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai, along with 12 global academic centers and research programs across 25+ countries, New York University (NYU) sends more students overseas than any other American university. NYU Abu Dhabi serves approximately 530 students enrolled in 25 areas of study, while NYU Shanghai serves more than 1,600 students across 19 areas of study. Students across all NYU colleges, schools, and institutes are encouraged to participate in NYUs broad range of study abroad programs. This includes students in Tisch School of the Arts (Tisch). 

Founded in 1965, Tisch serves more than 4,000 students enrolled in BA, BFA, MA, MFA, MPS, and PhD programs. Programs are provided across four institutes including the Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film and Television; the Institute of Emerging Media; the Martin Scorsese Institute of Global Cinematic Arts; and the Institute of Performing Arts. 

Producing more than 5,000 films per year, the Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film and Television houses the Department of Animation and Digital Arts. Within the department is a Film and Television BFA with an Animation Area. Launched in 1980 with 80 students and five courses, the Animation Area was the first program to bring digital technology to Kanbar. Today, the Animation Area provides close to twenty different courses to more than 500 students from nearly every state and dozens of countries.  

The Animation Area at NYU Tisch provides instruction in 2D, 3D, and Traditional Animation. The program begins with animation fundamentals and progresses to intermediate animation, then advanced. Course examples include Experimental Animation; Drawing and Design for Animation; Stop Motion Animation; Visual Effects for Compositing; Special Topics in 3D Animation; Advanced Animation Production; Action Analysis I-II; Writing for Animation; and Animation: From Pitching to Pipeline to Production. 

In addition to providing in-demand courses, the Animation Area at NYU Tisch provides access to state-of-the-art facilities; interactions with guest speakers from the industry; participation in events hosted by the Student Animation League (SAL); and guidance, networking opportunities, and community spaces through the NYU Tisch Animation Alumni Association (AAA). 

Graduates of the Film and Television BFA (Animation Area) at NYU Tisch are prepared to pursue positions at studios across the U.S. and abroad. Some program alumni also go on to launch their own independent studios and freelance businesses. Graduates can be found at places such as Walt Disney Animation, Pixar, and DreamWorks.

New York University is the largest private university in the U.S. Founded in 1831, the school serves more than 55,000 students across degree-granting campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai. With more than 19,000 employees, New York University is also one of the state’s largest employers. Students at NYU have access to more than 400 program options across 20+ colleges, schools, and institutes. New York University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). 

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is the world’s only institution to have Buggy Races. Although this tradition began as something fun and silly to do back in the 1920s, the races today begin as a design project that sees student teams brainstorm, sketch plans, build from scratch, and test the vessels before the big event. For what takes long hours to complete, Design teams take the skills and knowledge they’ve acquired in the classroom and apply it to each project—all to win one of CMU’s many coveted awards. 

Students in all majors are welcome to participate in the Buggy Races. This includes students in programs supported by the Integrative Design, Arts and Technology (IDeATe) Network. In collaboration with the Robotics Institute (est. 1979) in the School of Computer Sciences, the IDeATe Network manages a total of 10 undergraduate minors, including Animation and Special Effects.

Open to students from any major, the Animation and Special Effects minor helps students develop marketable skills in areas such as digital 2D and 3D animation techniques; storytelling through animation; rendering and compositing; visual effects and procedural animation; expanded and experimental animation methods; and real-time animation systems. 

Courses for this 45-unit program are project-based, immersive, and led by expert faculty in Art and Robotics. Course examples include Introduction to Computing for Creative Practice; Intermediate Studio Creative Coding; Introduction to 3D Animation Pipeline; Technical Character Animation; Storytelling Through Effects Animation; Storyboarding; Bipedal Rigging for Animation Production; Character Modeling; Experimental Capture; and Advanced Animation Studio. 

While the IDeATe Animation and Special Effects minor is open to students from all majors, an ideal program option for students seeking a four-year degree is the Electronic and Time-Based Media BFA (ETB BFA). Housed in the College of Fine Arts (CFA), this interdisciplinary program explores areas such as animation, video and performance, game art, and computational and interactive arts. Students will take advanced courses such as Animation, Art, and Technology; Digital Storytelling and Resistance; Experimental Game Design; and Music Video/Visual Music. 

Graduates of the ETB BFA and Animation and Special Effects minor programs at Carnegie Mellon University are prepared to pursue positions at film and animation studios, game design studios, television networks, advertising agencies, and more. Program alumni have been hired at places such as DreamWorks Animation, Comedy Central, Electronic Arts (EA), Sony Interactive Entertainment, Walt Disney Studios, Zynga Games, MTV, Paramount, Blizzard Entertainment, and Warner Interactive.

Carnegie Mellon University was founded on November 15, 1900 by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Back then, the school was known as Carnegie Technical Schools. Today, CMU is a private global research university that provides over 200 programs to more than 14,500 students from 126 countries. In addition to the main campus in Pennsylvania, Carnegie has campuses in Silicon Valley and Doha, Qatar. 

Housed across seven colleges and schools, the academic programs at CMU are also provided at locations in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Mexico, and Portugal. Carnegie Mellon University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

In 1926, The New School became the first American university to teach the history of film, and one of the first to provide college-level courses in jazz and photography. Courses in the creative arts were taught by the likes of artists such as Frank Lloyd Wright, W. H. Auden, and Martha Graham. Today, The New School is the only university to have a design school (Parsons School of Design), liberal arts college, performing arts college, and graduate programs and colleges under one roof. 

Serving approximately 5,755 students, Parsons School of Design is the largest college at The New School. Within the school is a STEM-designated Design and Technology program with BFA and MFA pathways. 

The BFA program focuses on storytelling, emerging art, design practices, and interaction. Specialization options include Creative Technology and Game Design. Course examples for this the 120 credit-hour program include Drawing/Imaging; Critical Computation Lab; Objects as History; Space/Materiality; Integrative Studio; History of Design; Core Studio Environments; Time; and Design Studies. 

All New School undergraduates must also complete the 30 credit-hour first-year experience (FYE). Students will explore 2D and 3D processes, drawing, and digital design; complete liberal arts studies; and participate in seminars and studios. 

The Design and Technology BFA culminates with a thesis project, completed across two courses worth a total of 12 credits. 

The Design and Technology MFA at The New School requires 60 credit hours of study. Students in this program have access to studios such as xFab Lecture and Lab; Major Studio; Creative Practice Seminar; and Collaboration Studio. Other program features include immersive classes taught by industry professionals; opportunities to work on projects with external partners such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) and One Plus; and creative collaborations with Communication Design, Transdisciplinary Design, and Data Visualization students, among others. 

The Design and Technology MFA program at Parsons School of Design culminates with the Thesis Studio, completed across two courses totaling 12 credit hours. 

All students may participate in The New School’s internship program, as well as projects with external partners such as Samsung, Google, The New York Times, Intel, Panasonic, NYC Media Lab, IBM, Nokia, MIT, and SXSW. In addition, students in all New School programs have the opportunity to interact with and work on projects with professionals at places such as Nickelodeon, Atari, MTV, Apple, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), UNESCO, Siemens, Eyebeam Art and Technology Center, and OnePlus Technology. 

The School of Continuing and Professional Education at The New School has an additional program for animators interested in a flexible, shorter course of study. The Motion Design and Animation certificate consists of just three required courses that explore the production process from start to finish. Courses include Storytelling with Motion Graphics and Animation; Motion Design 1 with After Effects; and Moton Design 2 with After Effects. 

The Motion Design and Animation certificate can be taken alone or in combination with the Design and Technology BFA or MFA programs. This 100% online program takes just one year to complete. 

Graduates of the BFA, MFA, and certificate programs at The New School are prepared to pursue positions in animation, 2D and 3D animation, game design, advertising, VR/AR, motion graphics, immersion experience design, digital filmmaking, graphic arts, interaction design, television production, mobile and application design, web design, software design, and media art. 

The New School was founded in 1919 as the New School for Social Research. Serving approximately 10,815 students today, the school provides close to 130 degree and diploma programs across six colleges and schools. This includes Parsons School of Design; Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts; the College of Performing Arts; The New School for Social Research; the Schools of Public Engagement; and Parsons Paris. 

The New School has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) since 1960. Parsons Paris is declared to the Rectorat de Paris as an établissement d’enseignement supérieur privé (a private higher education establishment) and has maintained its right to operate in France since 2013. This branch campus of The New School is also MSCHE-accredited. 

Drexel University has one of the largest cooperative education programs in the U.S. allowing students to gain up to 18 months of work experience in their chosen field—all before graduation. Drexel University also houses one of the nation’s largest media arts and design colleges. 

The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design provides eighteen undergraduate majors, twenty-six undergraduate minors, and several STEM-designated and accelerated degree programs across the entertainment, visual art, media, design, and performing arts. In addition to the co-op program, which allows undergraduates to spend six months working full-time in the industry, students in all programs benefit from a studio-based curriculum; courses led by industry professionals; and access to state-of-the-art production facilities and studios. 

Examples include the 1200 square feet Animation Capture and Effects Lab (ACE-Lab); computer labs outfitted with advanced graphics workstations; screening rooms; and the Immersive Research Lab for augmented reality, virtual reality, and immersive media projects.

The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design at Drexel University (Drexel) has several paths to study animation including the Animation and VFX BS; the Digital Media MS; the Dual Animation and VFX BS/Digital Media MS; the Digital Media and Virtual Production BS/Digital Media MS; and the Digital Media PhD. An Animation and VFX minor are also available. 

The curriculum for the eight-course, 24 credit-hour minor provides a foundation storytelling, design, and the technology used by 3D animators and VFX artists in the entertainment industry. Through 12 credit hours of electives, minor students may also customize the program. Elective examples include Digital Character Creation; Scripting for Animation and VFX; Technical Directing; and Lighting and Surfacing. Students can take the Animation and VFX minor alone or with just about any Westphal degree program. 

The Dual BS/MS programs consist of coursework and projects in animation, interactivity, gaming, 3D modeling, and digital design. The programs also explore digital media history, theory, and methods. Westphal dual BS/MS students can also participate in three co-op experiences in the second, third, and fourth years of study. Positions may be paid or unpaid. 

Past co-op positions include animation, technical direction, visual effects (VFX), and 3D production work at places such as Cartoon Network, Pixar, 3FX Medical Animations, Sony Studios, Ingenuity Studios, and FuseFX. 

The Animation and VFX BS program provides instruction and hands-on training in 3D modeling, storyboarding, character design, rigging, scripting motion capture, and storytelling. Animation electives allow students to specialize in an area such as VFX, motion capture, character performance, or organic modeling. Course examples for the program include Digital compositing; Computer Programming; Scripting for Animation and Visual Effects; Character Animation; Experimental Animation Lab; History of Modern Design; Organic Modeling; Audio Production and Post; and Spatial Data Capture.

In addition to the co-op program, Animation and VFX BS students can participate in Westphal’s Drexel LA program. During this experience, students will spend an entire summer living and working in LA alongside students in the Screenwriting, Film and Television, and Playwriting programs. Drexel LA students have held internships at Riot Games, BBC Worldwide Productions, Nerdist, and ImageMovers.

The Westphal Drexel Animation and VFX BS program culminates with the Digital Media Senior Project. Students will create works in teams in a simulated real-world production environment. Final projects will be presented during a Thesis Exhibition attended by industry professionals. 

The Digital Media MS at Drexel University is a STEM-designated, hybrid program that focuses on research and media applications. Areas explored include animation, gaming and digital media history, interactivity, advanced digital design, and 3D modeling. Course examples for the program include New Media: History, Theory and Methods; Designing for Interactivity; Animation and Game Design Bootcamp; Research Methods for Digital Media; and New Media Project. 

Students in the MS program will complete several independent, industry-sponsored, student-created, or faculty-approved projects. Past projects have focused on areas such as animation design, advanced animation production techniques, video games, and narrative comics. This two-year program culminates with a thesis, oral presentation, and demonstration in the Department of Digital Media. 

The Digital Media PhD program at Drexel University is a research-driven degree that take place in an experiential learning environment. PhD students may conduct research in entertainment, engineering, business, education, health, or other areas. Past projects have included advanced animation production techniques; theme park ride and animation design; interactive online non-linear narrative comics; multi-touch games for teaching middle-school children; Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) for video games; and a multimedia interactive dance performance with body tracking. 

Graduates of the Animation/VFX and Digital Media programs at Drexel University are prepared to pursue advanced roles in the entertainment industry, game design and development, television production, advertising, and more. Program alumni have worked on projects such as The Mandalorian, How to Train Your Dragon 2, Ready Player One, and Avengers: Infinity War. 

Graduates have also gone on to land positions in research and development in the fields of virtual reality, generative design, and real-time rendering solutions. Program alumni have been hired at places such as DreamWorks, Pixar, XBOX, Disney, NCSoft Corp, and Microsoft.

Drexel University was founded in 1891 by philanthropist and financier Anthony J. Drexel. Known as Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry, the school’s first graduating class was just 70 students. 

Today, Drexel University is an R1 Doctoral University that serves approximately 21,705 students enrolled in more than 200 degree programs across 15 colleges and schools. 

Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The school’s academic programs in art, design, and media are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD). 

In 2019, University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) renamed its School of Design to honor iconic footwear designer and Wharton School alum Stuart Weitzman. Students in the Weitzman School have access to dozens of programs in the fine arts, architecture, city planning, historic preservation, and spatial analytics. Leading the bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD, many of these programs are STEM-eligible, while others can be combined into a dual degree. 

For students seeking an animation degree, the Weitzman School has BA degrees in Fine Arts, and Fine Arts and Design. Both programs provide access to extensive resources and state-of-the-art facilities such as computer labs with Wacom tablets; lighting and grip equipment (used with Dragonframe software for stop-motion animation); DSLR cameras; 2D and 3D animation and compositing applications such as Maya, Premiere, 3ds Max, After Effects, Mudbox, TVPaint, and MatchMover; sound recording and editing equipment; and a stop-motion and multiplane studio with a dedicated capture workstation.

Available to students in the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering, the Fine Arts BA emphasizes seminar-based instruction, project-based learning, collaboration, and interdisciplinary studies. Studio courses are provided in a variety of areas such as animation, video, drawing, print media, 3D, and painting. Animation course examples include Mixed Media Animation; Hand-Drawn Computer Animation; Environmental Animation; 3D Computer Modeling; The Animation of Disney; Digital Figure Modeling; History of Children’s TV; Art, Design and Digital Culture; Advanced 3D Modeling; and Video I. 

The Weitzman School’s Fine Arts and Design program provides an interdisciplinary major in Fine Arts (FNAR) and an integrative major in Design (DSGN). Both majors combine seminar courses, studio instruction, and interactions with designers and artists through the visiting artist lecture series. Coursework for the programs allow students to study animation, digital design, 3D modeling, and more. Students have access to the same animation courses for the Fine Arts BA program as well as Immersive Media Studio; Cinema Production; Digital Figure Modeling; Procedural Design Systems for Virtual Environments; and Art of Web. 

Another path to study animation at UPenn is the Digital Media Design (DMD) program. Part of the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS), the DMD program launched in 1998. Leading to a bachelor’s in engineering and science (BSE), this interdisciplinary program allows students to explore animation, games, interactive technologies, virtual reality (VR), and computer graphics. Course and elective examples include Computer Animation; Advanced Rendering; Mixed Media Animation; Environmental Animation; Interactive Computer Graphics; and Hand-Drawn Animation; 

The School of Engineering and Applied Science at University of Pennsylvania also houses the Center for Human Modeling and Simulation (HMS). Established in 1975, the center is a leader in the fields of behavioral animation, 3D computer graphics, and human simulation. Within the center is a Computer Graphics and Game Technology (CGGT) Engineering MS (MSE) program. 

Established in 2004, the interdisciplinary CGGT MSE program covers four core areas including Creative Arts and Design; Computer Science, Systems and Technology; Product Design, Development and Production; and Business and Entrepreneurship. The Creative Arts and Design area explores 3D models and animation; storytelling and narrative; film studies; visual communication; human-computer interaction (HCI); and user interface (UI) design. 

Other program highlights include access to equipment and resources available through the SIG Center for Computer Graphics; courses such as Computer Animation, Physically-Based Animation, and Advanced Project Animation; and the opportunity to specialize in areas such as Art and Animation, Animation and Simulation Technology, or Creative Design. 

Graduates of the Fine Arts, Fine Arts and Design, and Computer Graphics and Game Technology programs are prepared to pursue advanced roles in the entertainment industry, games, architecture, advertising, and more. Across programs, alumni have been hired at places such as DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Microsoft, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation, Electronic Arts (EA), DreamWorks Animation, Zynga, Activision Blizzard, and Sony. 

University of Pennsylvania was founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1740. Making it the fifth oldest university in the U.S. With nearly 5,000 professors, the school serves approximately 28,710 students enrolled in more than 400 programs across 12 schools. UPenn also houses more than 170 research centers and institutes, along with nine business divisions. University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

When it was established in 1873, the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) at Syracuse University (SU) became the first degree-granting school of its kind in the U.S. The College of VPA went on to become one of the first in the country to grant a degree in music; one of the nation’s first colleges to require four years of study in both theory and music; and one of America’s first academic programs specifically designed for the study of rhetoric and communication.

Today, the College of Visual and Performing Arts at SU houses seven schools and departments, along with the recently launched 2022 VPA LA Semester. This program provides the opportunity for students to intern in Los Angeles while taking courses led by some of LA’s leading industry professionals. VPA departments and schools include the Department of Film and Media Arts; the School of Design; the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies; the School of Art; Setnor School of Music; the Department of Creative Arts Therapy; and the Department of Drama. 

Programs for animators are housed in the Department of Film and Media Arts (DFMA). Options include the Computer Art and Animation BFA; a Computer Art MFA; and an Animation and Visual Effects (VFX) minor. All DFMA students may participate in global studies programs such as the Italian Film Studies and Filmmaking Summer in Bologna, Italy; the semester-long Film Studies Program in Prague, Czech Republic; or the 10-day Summer Immersion Program in Venice, Italy. 

Other department benefits include the visiting artist series, including past guests such as past president of Pixar Animation Studios Jim Morris, actor/director Giancarlo Esposito, Pixar post-production director Cynthia Slavens; extensive computer art and animation facilities with access to Maya, Unreal Engine, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Houdini, Creative Cloud, Unity, and TVPaint; the local Women in Animation chapter; access to Orange Shorts animation production studio; and the Canary Lab, which hosts workshops, speakers, collaborations, visiting artists, research, exhibitions, and other events.  

The Animation and VFX minor at Syracuse University is a 21 credit-hour program that allows students to focus in Animation, Visual Effects, or both. Course requirements include Introduction to 3D Animation; Intermediate 3D Animation; and Advanced Animation. Other course examples include Drawing for Illustration; Animation Workshop I-II; Introduction to Acting for Non-Majors; Drawing II: Representation to Conceptualization; Advanced 3D Animation and Visual Effects; Previz and Character Development for Animation; Film Scriptwriting; Narrative Drawing; and Visual Effects Workshop I-II. 

Upon completion of the SU Animation and Visual Effects minor, students may pursue the Computer Art and Animation BFA or programs in other SU colleges. Students are also prepared to pursue entry-level positions in the entertainment industry, games, and advertising industries. 

The Computer Art and Animation BFA at Syracuse University is a 121 credit-hour program consisting of major requirements, studio electives, culture studies, free electives, and academic electives. All students will complete the First Year Seminar (FYS), which explores areas such as ethics, health and wellness, socialization, and development of identity. Upon completion of the FYS, students will begin taking major and other courses. 

Course examples for the program include Introduction to Programming for Visual Art; Intermediate 3D Animation; Drawing for Illustration; Advanced Animation; Conversations in Film and Media Arts I-II; Art and Craft of Animation; Film and Media Arts Advanced Studio; and Topics in Computer Gaming. Students will also complete History of Animation; Studio 1: Practices of Academic Writing; and Studio 2: Critical Research and Writing. 

Examples of studio electives include Visual Effects Workshop I-II; Previz and Character Development for Animation; Special Topics in Digital Art; Animation Workshop I-II; and Topics in 3D Animation. 

The Computer Art and Animation program at Syracuse University culminates with a senior project and portfolio completed across two courses. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles across the entertainment, games, and advertising industries, among others. 

Program alumni have been hired at places such as Sony Pictures Imageworks, Lucasfilm, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Cartoon Network, Pixar, Blizzard Entertainment, Tippett Studio, MPC, and Filmworks/FX. 

Founded in 1980 by computer artists Edward Zajec, the Computer Art MFA program at Syracuse University consists of 60 credit hours completed over three years. Focus areas include Computer Animation; VFX; Sonic Art; Gaming; Physical Computing; Software Art; Electronic Objects; and Multi-Channel Installation. 

All students may participate in the residency program in LA known as the Turner Semester. All MFA students also have 24/7 access to computer art facilities; audio production, video post-production, and recording studios; dedicated Apple Mac Pro workstations; video camcorders and field audio recorders; and facilities outfitted with range of industry software and physical computing gear.

The Computer Art MFA program at Syracuse University culminates with an oral examination, final project, and presentation. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in all areas of entertainment, game design and development, advertising, education, and research.  

Program alumni have been hired at major networks and studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Cartoon Network, Pixar, Blizzard Entertainment, MPC, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Filmworks/FX, and Tippett Studio. 

Founded in 1870, Syracuse University is an R1 research university that serves approximately 22,000 students from all 50 states and 120 countries. The school provides more than 500 majors, minors, and advanced degree programs across 13 colleges and schools. In addition to campuses in Syracuse, Manhattan, DC, and Los Angeles, Syracuse University operates overseas centers in Chile, London, France, Spain, Italy, and Poland. Syracuse University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). 

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is one of the oldest technical universities in the U.S. In addition to being a leader in engineering and computer science programs, RPI focuses heavily on experiential learning through paid co-op experiences, summer research fellowships, and undergraduate research. This allows students enrolled in all RPI schools to gain real-world experience with major companies and organizations in New York and across the region. 

The School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is an interdisciplinary Houdini Certified School that houses the Departments of Communication and Media; Arts; Science and Technology Studies; Economics; Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences (GSAS); and Cognitive Science. Programs for animators are housed in the Department of Art and the Department of GSAS. 

Department of Arts program options include the BS, PhD, and 16 credit-hour minor in Electronic Arts. Program options in the Department of GSAS include the BS in Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences. 

RPI is a designated New York State Center of Excellence in Digital Game Development. The school’s GSAS BS has six concentration options including Electronic Arts; Computer Science; Music; Writing; Cognitive Science; and Management. With a curriculum that focuses on the animated and visual components of games, the Electronic Arts concentration is ideal for animators. 

The program provides advanced coursework in 3D animation, visual effects (VFX), character modeling, rendering, and lighting. Course examples for the program include 2D Experimental Animation; 3D Animation; Graphic Storytelling; Game Animation; 3D Digital Modeling; Animation Production; 3D VFX; Interactive Visualization; 3D Technical Direction; Art in Context; and Advanced Digital Imaging. 

The GSAS BS program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute culminates with a final project and presentation. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in animation, interactive simulation and visualization, and game design and development. Program alumni can also pursue graduate study in areas such as game design artificial intelligence (AI), computer science, and fine arts. 

The Electronic Arts (EART) program at RPI focuses on theory and practice. All students have opportunities to work one-on-one with faculty. BS students may select from five concentrations including Animation and Algorithmic Art; Sonic Arts; Integrated Visual Art; Video, Performance and Social Practice; and DIY (Do It Yourself). All students (BS, PhD, and minor) have access to resources such as the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC), the Center for Deep Listening (CDL), the CRAIVE Lab, and the Emergent Reality Lab (ERL).

Across undergraduate programs students also have access to courses such as 2D Experimental Animation; Graphic Storytelling; 3D Animation; Interactive Arts Programming; Animation Production; Art and Coda and Interactivity; 3D Digital Modeling; Experimental Game Design; Advanced Digital 3D Projects; 3D VFX; Digital Imaging; Digital Filmmaking; Basic Drawing; and Introduction to Game Art. 

The EART BS culminates with the Senior Thesis worth eight credit hours. Students will complete this final project across the Creative Seminar I and II courses. Upon completion, projects will be presented in a public exhibition designed and marketed by the students.

Graduates are prepared for to pursue careers as animators, game artists, storyboard artists, advertising animators, and educators, among others. Program alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as DreamWorks Animation, Microsoft, Hasbro, Amazon, Google, AMC Networks, IBM, Meta, The Creative Advantage, Branch VFX, 1st Playable, F2 System, Something Digital, and FDM Group. 

The EART PhD program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is one of the first programs of its kind. Consisting of 48 credit hours, this interdisciplinary program allows students to select courses from animation, performance, video, computer science, architecture, communication studies, and more. Required courses include Electronic Arts Overview; Research Methods; and the Arts Graduate Colloquium.

The EART PhD Dissertation (final project) for the program, culminates with a gallery show or performance. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles in the entertainment industry, game design and development, advertising, research, and education. RPI alumni have been hired at places such as Raytheon, Apple, Google, Adobe, Microsoft, Dell, Oracle, and Boeing. 

Established in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the nation’s first technological research university. Serving approximately 6,970 students, RPI provides more than 145 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across five schools. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MCSHE) and the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). 

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is home to one of the nation’s top public graduate art schools. Known as VCUarts (School of the Arts), this collaborative school also has a branch campus in Doha, Qatar. In 1998, VCUarts Qatar became the first American college built in Doha’s Education City. Serving approximately 300 students, the school focuses on the liberal arts and sciences, with shared courses through VCUarts Richmond, as well as conferences, arts research, event programming, and semester exchange programs. 

VCUarts Qatar employs around 82 faculty that provide six programs leading to a bachelor’s or master’s degree. The campus accepts just 10 exceptional juniors and seniors from the Kinetic Imaging (KI); Painting and Printmaking; Graphic Design; and Art History programs. Students in other programs may apply to VCUarts Qatar, with approval.

The Department of Kinetic Imaging in the School of the Arts is a top choice for students who are interested in animation, video, and sound for films, experimental video, and art-making. Programs lead to a BFA or MFA in Kinetic Imaging. An 18 credit-hour Animation minor is also available. This program features required courses such as History of Animated Film; Animation Practices; and Animation Studio. 

The remaining courses come from elective options. Examples include Sequential Imaging; Lighting and Cinematography; 3D Computer Art; Writing and Directing for Screen; and Digital 3D Studio. 

The Kinetic Imaging BFA program at VCUarts requires 121 credit hours of study completed over four years. The Kinetic Imaging MFA requires 60 credit hours. Both programs are multidisciplinary and explore areas such as animation, emerging art, video, sound, and virtual reality (VR). Students may also customize a focus area or create their own cross-disciplinary path through electives and other courses. 

BFA students will begin their studies with the Art Foundation Program consisting of 20 credit hours. Foundation course examples include Drawing Studio; Survey of Art I-II; Time Studio; and Space Research. Examples of major course requirements include Animation Practices; Creative Code and Electronics; Sound Art; Concept and Development Studio; 3D Computer Art; and Video Practices. 

Elective and other course examples include 3D Computer Animation; Motion Graphics; Topics in Animation; Live Coding; Animation Concepts; Virtual Interactive Worlds; Global Film Studies; Writing for Stage and/or Screen; Topics in Video Art; Sound Design; and Socially Engaged Media. 

In addition to a flexible curriculum, VCUarts KI BFA students benefit from workshops, lectures, and performances by visiting artists; internship opportunities; and access to state-of-the-art studios, labs, computing workshops, and a motion capture space. The program culminates with the Research and Production I-II courses, with a focus on critical analysis and development of the final project with emphasis on implementation, execution, and presentation.

Graduates of the Kinetic Imaging BFA program at Virginia Commonwealth University are prepared to pursue titles such as 2D Animator, 3D Animator, Motion Graphics Artist, Director, Game Artist, Sound Designer, and Adverting Animator. 

The studio-based Kinetic Imaging MFA accepts just eight students per academic year. This collaborative and immersive program explores animated arts, interactivity, coding, emerging media, sound art, mediated performance, and installation. Each semester, KI MFA students will complete a graduate seminar and graduate studio class with a focus on vigorous studio production. Elective options also help students meet their individual studio and research goals. 

Other KI MFA features include 24/7 access to personal studios along with animation, video, and sound production spaces; visiting artists talks, including one-on-one studio visits with graduate students; and opportunities to teach in the undergraduate VCUarts Kinetic Imaging program.

The culminating experience for the KI MFA is the exhibition of the student’s best work at VCU’s Anderson Gallery. The program may be completed in two years, full-time.

Graduates of the Kinetic Imaging MFA program at Virginia Commonwealth University are prepared to pursue leadership roles in the entertainment industry, game design and development, and advertising; the technology sector; and in architecture, science, medicine, education, and research, among others. 

Founded in 1838, Virginia Commonwealth University is a top 100 research university that serves approximately 28,830 students. With more than 26,000 employees at VCU and VCU Health System, Virginia Commonwealth University is also Richmond, Virginia’s largest employer. The school provides more than 200 academic programs across 20 colleges, centers, and schools. Virginia Commonwealth University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 

Emerson College (Emerson) has a unique study abroad experience that all students can participate in. The school's overseas campus in the Netherlands consists of a restored 14th-century moated medieval castle known as Kasteel Well. Located in the small village of Well, the campus welcomes around 90 Emerson students for summer programs, and for three months each fall and spring term.

Emerson College is also home to the School the Arts, which houses the Department of Visual and Media Arts (VMA). Within the department are two paths to study animation including the Media Arts Production BA (MAP BA) and the MAP BFA. Across programs, students have access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities such as the Emerson College Emerging Media Lab (EML), where they can complete projects in areas such as 2D and 3D animation, character design, artistic anatomy, game design, rigging, and VR/AR.

Other VMA MAP benefits include hands-on work experience through Emerson College’s own in-house production company (Emerson Productions) or the Equipment Distribution Center (EDC); and opportunities to produce and screen work through film festivals and student organizations such as It’s All True – International Documentary Film Festival, Frames Per Second, Emerson Film Festival, and Women in Motion. 

All Emerson MAP students have additional opportunities to gain experience at Emerson Los Angeles (ELA). Established in 1986 and situated on Sunset Boulevard, ELA is a state-of-the-art, 120,000 square feet LEED-certified building where students live, work, and learn for an entire semester. Up to 215 students arrive at ELA each fall, with the potential to secure internships at places such as Sony, Lionsgate, Netflix, Disney, or Hulu. The program provides access to more than 200 internship opportunities.

The MAP BA program at Emerson College has two tracks: Production and Media Studies. The Production track is the most popular option for animators. The program highlights courses such as Computer Animation; Writing the Feature Film; Game Design; Drawing for Character Design; Studio TV Production; Interactive Media; Writing the Short Subject; and Film Production. BA students have many opportunities to enhance the degree through the required 16 credit hours of Visual and Media Arts electives. 

The MAP BA program at Emerson College culminates with the BA Capstone Project. This one-semester advanced production workshop allows students to produce portfolio work in any VMA area. BA Capstone students also have specialized access to facilities and unlimited production support for their projects. 

MAP BFA students will complete all of the course requirements for the BA program, along with an additional 16 credits of advanced media production courses and electives. The program culminates with the BFA Thesis Project completed across two consecutive semesters. 

Graduates of the VMA Department at Emerson College have been involved with major productions such as Everything Everywhere All At Once, Ant-Man, Fargo, Swiss Army Man, and Fantastic Four. Program alumni have also been hired at major studios such as Bunim Murray Productions, Digital Domain, MGM Studios, Searchlight Pictures, and Worldwide Pants. 

Emerson College was established in 1880. The school serves approximately 4,930 students enrolled in more than 40 degree programs across the School of the Arts, the School of Communication, and Marlboro Institute. Campuses include Boston (main), Emerson Los Angeles (ELA), and Emerson Netherlands. Emerson College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). 

University of Connecticut (UConn) is home to the School of Fine Arts. Established in 1961, the school houses four departments including Art and Art History; Music; Digital Media and Design (DMD); and Dramatic Arts. Programs in all departments are supported by specialized showcases, exhibition spaces, stages, and forums including the Digital Media Center; William Benton Museum of Art; von der Mehden Recital Hall; Contemporary Art Galleries; Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts; and the Connecticut Repertory Theatre. 

The DMD Department and the Department of Art and Art History provide several paths to study animation. DMD options include the BFA degree in Digital Media Design with concentrations in 3D Animation; Motion Design and Animation; Digital Film/Video Production; Game Design; and Web/Interactive Media Design. The Art and Art History Department has Art BA and Studio Art BFA programs. Students in both programs may concentrate in Illustration/Animation. All programs (including the DMD BFA) are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). 

Across options, students will engage in collaborative, project based-learning with access to state-of-the-art studios, labs, and production facilities. Examples include a high-powered Cintiq computer lab for high-end 3D work, a 688 foot Motion Capture Studio; and a render farm. Students also benefit from independent study and internship opportunities in the junior and senior years of the programs.

For animators, the most popular DMD BFA concentrations are 3D Animation, and Motion Design and Animation. Across options, students will take courses such as History of Animation; 3D Animation I-II; Cinematic Storytelling; Advanced Compositing for Visual Effects; Film and Video Editing; 3D Modeling, Lighting and Rendering; 3D Simulations; Advanced 3D Research and Production; and Animation Science. 

For the senior capstone, students in both concentrations will complete a year-long original BFA Senior Project under the direction of DMD faculty. Senior projects are showcased in the end-of-year DMD BFA Senior Thesis Exhibition, held in the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts. 

Upon completion of the DMD BFA program some students elect to pursue the UConn DMD MFA. This three-year pathway allows students to develop their own independent creative practice. Students may also concentrate in 3D Animation or Motion Design and Animation. Both areas are delivered at the advanced level. 

In addition to advanced concentration courses, MFA students will complete the following 5000-level courses: Digital Media Graduate Colloquium; Digital Culture; History and Theory of Digital Art; and MFA Studio Critique (taken a total of four times). Students will also complete the Digital Media Internship/Co-op or Independent Study. The program culminates with the MFA Final Project and Thesis Exhibition courses in the student’s area of concentration. 

The Art BA and Studio Art BFA programs at University of Connecticut require 120 credit hours of study. The BA includes 42 art and design credit hours and the Studio Art BFA includes 66 studio art credits. Students in the Illustration/Animation concentration will explore and create projects in both digital and analog environments. Examples include 2D animation; cartoons; stop-motion animation; character design; graphic novels; product design; comics; and environment design. 

Illustration/Animation course examples include Animation Fundamentals; Life Drawing I-II; Topics in Illustration; Graphic Design: Process and Thinking; Art History; Introduction to Digital Media; Studio Concepts; and Going Pro. 

The culminating experience for the programs is a project that focuses on the student's area of concentration. Final works will be exhibited in the Annual Senior Show. 

Graduates of the DMD and Art and Art History programs at University of Connecticut are prepared to pursue roles in areas such as animation, games, filmmaking, publishing, advertising, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), architecture, television production, user interface and user experience design (UI/UX), medical illustration, live performance, social media, sports, and animation or illustration for science, medicine technology, legal, aerospace, education, and research. MFA graduates are prepared to pursue advanced leadership roles in these areas. 

DMD and Art and Art History alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as Pixar, Adobe, Disney, HBO, Epic Games, Food Network, ESPN, Lego, Google Creative, NBC Universal, Adobe, Viacom, CBS 2 News, NBC Sports Group, World Wide Wrestling Entertainment (WWE,) DW Advertising, Stoopid Buddy Studios, Fusion 360, AW Design, XVIVO Medical Animation Studio, YouTube Gaming, Blur Studio, Matter Communications, and Greenhouse Studios. 

University of Connecticut is the state’s flagship university. Founded in 1881, the school opened with just three faculty members and 13 male students. Today, UConn is home to more than 18,000 faculty and staff that serve approximately 32,100 students across seven campuses, and 14 colleges and schools. Available programs include 245+ majors and minors, and more than 180 programs leading to a master’s, PhD, or graduate certificate. University of Connecticut is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

Tufts University (Tufts) is home to the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University (SMFA at Tufts or SMFA). The school provides intensive studio arts training to an estimated 450 students. Programs take place in an interdisciplinary learning environment, with opportunities to gain hands-on experience through on-campus projects and internships. Students also benefit from visiting artist lectures; networking events; participation in student exhibitions; research projects; workshops; and career development programming.

SMFA at Tufts also provides two paths to study animation including the BFA and Combined BFA + BA/BS. All options allow students to customize a focus in one or more mediums in collaboration with academic advisors. Focus area examples include Animation, Film and Video, Virtual Reality, Digital Media, and Graphic Arts.

Students also have 24/7 access to the Animation Studios at SMFA, which provides a private animation suite; a large screening and production studio with adjacent labs focused on multimedia animation and shooting with LED lighting and DSLR cameras; and digital drawing capabilities with Wacom Cintiq's. The facility supports students experimental, digital, and traditional animation projects. 

The BFA and Combined BFA + BA/BS programs explore 2D, 3D, hand-made, and digital techniques while creating everything from animated films to animation for advertising or the web. Sample courses across programs include Animation Basics; Animation Integration; Drawing for Animation; Stop Motion Animation; Moving Image; and Animation 2. Students can add the Studio Art minor to enhance the degree. 

In the final year of the SMFA BFA program, students may apply to the SMFA Tufts Senior Thesis Program. During this yearlong capstone, student will develop professional works and an exhibition. BA and BS students will complete a final project to graduate. Combined BFA + BA/BS students will graduate with two degrees—a BFA, and a BA or BS in their chosen area. 

Across all programs, graduates are prepared to pursue careers in film and animation, television production, game art and design, advertising, web design, and illustration, as well as emerging fields for animators such as medical animation, forensic animation, architectural visualization, motion graphics for social media, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), and educational animation. 

The School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University has an additional option for animators seeking a master's degree: the Studio MFA. This terminal degree program provides the opportunity to work with faculty and staff to develop a personalized studio curriculum. Students can focus their studies in areas such as animation, film and video, graphic arts, AR/VR, installation, sound, or digital media.

The curriculum for this 60 credit hour program emphasizes seminars, visiting artists, exchange and travel opportunities, and the Graduate Colloquium. A forum for graduate students, faculty, and professional artists, Colloquia are all-day events that take place at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Colloquia are open to the public.

The Studio MFA program at SMFA at Tufts culminates in a thesis and self-curated exhibition of the student's best work. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles in film and animation, game art and design, advertising, television production, illustration, web design, AR/VR, medical animation, architectural visualization, forensic animation, research, motion graphics for social media, and education. 

Founded in 1852, Tufts University is a private research institution that spans four campuses. The school serves approximately 13,430 students enrolled in more than 285 degree, minor, and certificate programs across ten colleges and schools. This includes the School of the Museum of Fine Arts.

SMFA began as a partnership with Tufts University in 1945, with the goal to provide a joint degree program focused on teacher training. The collaboration established its first BFA program in 1956. Today, SMFA at Tufts serves more than 400 students enrolled in BFA, MFA, MAT, Combined-degree (BFA + BA/BS), certificate, and studio diploma programs.

The School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). As part of Tufts University, SMFA is also accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).