Top 40 Private Animation Schools and Colleges in the U.S. – 2025 College Rankings

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) operates the world’s largest university-run film festival. With attendance exceeding 63,000 annually, the eight-day Savannah Film Festival has welcomed Academy Award-winning guest speakers such as Mahershala Ali, Holly Hunter, and Jeremy Irons, along with directors such as Oliver Stone and Christopher Miller. All SCAD students may participate in the festival, which also features workshops, lectures, and networking opportunities. 

SCAD students also have access to nearly one million square feet of dedicated film and television production space including Savannah Film Studios—one of the largest university film studios in the U.S.; the 65,000 square feet SCAD Digital Media Center; Lucas Theatre for the Arts; and the 82,000 square feet SCAD Museum of Art. Built on a historical site, the museum hosts exhibitions, screenings in an onsite theater, and master classes with industry professionals and visiting artists. 

Savannah College of Art and Design is also home to the School of Animation and Motion. Serving approximately 1,985 students, the school’s Animation program has BFA, MA, and MFA pathways. In addition to access to all SCAD facilities, the Animation program provides 24/7 access to more than 800 networked computers; instruction by artists from major studios and productions such as Ice Age, Pocahontas, and The Lion King; and the opportunity to participate in SCAD Study Abroad in Lacoste, France.

The Animation BFA program at Savannah College of Art and Design provides the opportunity to enroll in Gradpath@SCAD. This unique program allows students to earn a BFA/MA or BFA/MFA at an accelerated pace. Students in the BFA/MA program may complete this combined degree in less than four years. Students can complete the BFA/MFA in five years or less. 

The 180 credit-hour Animation BFA is available at SCAD’s Atlanta and Savannah campuses. The major curriculum for the program consists of 80 credit hours, including concentrations in 2D Animation; 3D Character Animation; Technical Animation; and Storytelling and Concept Development. Students will take 15 credit hours of free electives. To enhance the degree, the program allows for a minor. 

Ideal minors that complement the program include Character Technical Direction; Motion Media Design; Visual Effects (VFX); Illustration for Entertainment; and Technical Direction. 

Across concentrations, Animation BFA students can expect to take courses such as Inventing Environments; Reading Films; Digital Communication; Visual Culture in Context: Making Modernities; Storyboarding Essentials; Collaborative Experiences in the School of Animation and Motion; 3D Character Animation: Creatures and Quadrupeds; Collaborative Experiences: 2D Production Pipeline; Story and Concept: Animation Character and Creature Design; Technical Animation: Digital Modeling for Environments and Props; and Story and Concept: Visual Design and World Building. 

Each student in the SCAD Animation BFA program will complete three capstone courses including Animated Capstone Film Preproduction, Production, and Postproduction. An optional internship is also part of the program. 

The Animation MA and MFA programs at Savannah College of Art and Design require the successful completion of 45 and 90 credit hours, respectively. The MA is available at the Savannah campus and online through SCADnow. The MFA can be completed at the Atlanta and Savannah campuses, and via SCADnow. 

MA students have access to courses such as 3D Naturalistic Character Animation; Computer-Generated Modeling and Design; Drawing in Motion; Animation Aesthetics and Practice; 3D Cartoon Character Animation; and Environment Look Development. Students have the option to complete a graduate internship. 

The culminating experience for the SCAD MA program is the School of Animation and Motion MA Final Project. During the experience, students propose, develop, and execute a project that will become a permanent part of their professional reel.

The Animation MFA at Savannah College of Art and Design consists of a mandatory teaching or field assignment. This supervised graduate internship consists of 15 credit hours. MFA students will also complete mandatory courses such as Media Theory and Application; Animation Aesthetics and Practice; Storyboarding and Previsualization; Drawing in Motion; and Computer-Generated Modeling and Design. Completion of at least seven 500- to 700-level electives is also part of the program.

The culminating experience for the SCAD Animation MFA program is the Animation MFA Thesis consisting of three courses including Exploration and Research; Visual Component Production; and Completion. 

Graduates of the Animation programs at Savannah College of Art and Design are prepared to pursue titles such as 2D Animator, 3D Animator, Digital Modeler, Storyboard Artist, Character FX Artist, Lighting Director, Animation Producer, Character FX Technical Director, and many other leadership roles. 

Major studios and networks routinely hire SCAD Animation alumni. Examples include Cartoon Network, Electronic Arts (EA), Pixar, Sony Pictures Imageworks, 20th Century Fox, Epic Games, Walt Disney Animation Studios, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Lucasfilm Animation, and Xbox Game Studios. 

Savannah College of Art and Design opened its doors in the renovated Savannah Volunteer Guards Armory in September 1979. The school launched with one classroom and an administration building (Poetter Hall), 11 faculty, and just 71 students. Today, across campuses in Atlanta, Savannah, and Lacoste, France, SCAD serves more than 17,500 students from more than 120 countries and all 50 states.

With more than 100 programs leading to a degree, and over 75 minors and certificate programs, Savannah College of Art and Design has more academic options than any other art and design college in the U.S. Savannah College of Art and Design is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), and the National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB).

University of Southern California (USC) is home to the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA). Founded in 1929, the school houses state-of-the-art facilities and equipment accessible to all animation students. One of the many standouts among SCA’s facilities is the brand new main complex. This creative space features all digital classrooms, animation production studios, post-production suites, soundstages, mixing theaters, fabrication spaces, research labs, and screening rooms that seat up to 400 people. 

The Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts in the School of Cinematic Arts provides additional production spaces, motion capture suites, and Trojan Vision—the University's full-service television station with programming that reaches homes across LA and many national and international outlets. USC School of Cinematic Art students also have access to the Ganek Immersive Studio; Cintiq and computer labs; and an IMAX theater.

Across SCA programs, students can collaborate with peers in other USC schools such as Roski School of Art and Design, Viterbi School of Engineering, the School of Architecture, and Thornton School of Music. Other SCA features include guest speakers; courses taught by seasoned filmmakers and other industry professionals; and the student-organized USC Animation Studio Day, where students can meet with studio representatives to present their portfolios, discuss internships, and consider job opportunities. 

Also within USC’s School Cinematic Arts is The John C. Hench Division of Animation + Digital Arts (Hench DADA) and the Expanded Animation Division (EAD). Both divisions provide animation programs leading to a BFA or MFA. Options include an Animation + Digital Arts BFA (Hench DADA), the Animation + Digital Arts MFA (EDA), and the Expanded Animation Research + Practice (XA) MFA (EAD). 

Hench DADA also houses a 3D Animation and Cinematic Arts minor. The Interactive Media Division, within the School of Cinematic Arts, houses a Game Animation minor. The 3D Animation and Cinematic Arts minor allows students to focus in a specific area through electives. Potential focus areas include character animation, visual effects (VFX), motion capture, virtual reality (VR), and modeling. The Game Animation minor combines systems thinking and animation coursework. 

Through electives, Game Animation students may explore areas such as VFX, game development, or digital effects. USC SCA minors are 16 units and all require a final project to graduate. 

The Animation + Digital Arts BFA program at University of Southern California is a four-year STEM-coded program that provides formal concentration options. Examples include Character Animation, Interactive Animation, VFX, Immersive Media, Documentary Animation, 3D Computer Animation, Motion Graphics, Visualizing Science, and Experimental Animation. 

In addition to a concentration, BFA students will complete courses such as Story Structure for Animation; Reality Starts Here; 3D Character Performance Animation; Two-Dimensional Art Workshop; Cinematography for Animators; History of Animation; and Professionalism of Animation. Electives allow students to develop skills in additional areas of animation. 

Elective examples include Live Action Integration with Visual Effects; 3D Animation for Motion Graphics (C4D); Production Design for Animation Projection Mapping Design and Production; Demystifying the TV Animation Pipeline; Real-Time Animation (Unreal Engine); Experiments in Immersive Design; Procedural Animation (Houdini); Pipeline and Character Modeling for Animation; and The World of Visual Effects.

During the second semester of year three, and in year four of the program, students will complete Ideation + Pre-Production, along with two Senior Project courses resulting in a fully rendered, animated piece, with soundtrack. Final projects are presented to a committee for critique and approval.

The Animation + Digital Arts MFA at USC is a STEM-coded, three-year terminal degree program that provides mini studios for all students, ongoing workshops, and internship opportunities. Techniques and approaches explored range from hand-drawn character animation to interactive digital animation. Course examples for the program include Animation: The Art and the Industry; Expanded Animation; Fundamentals of Storytelling for Animation; Cinematic Ethics; Animation Design and Production; Animation Storyboarding Practicum; and Fundamentals of 3D Character Animation. 

Elective units are an important component of the MFA program. Students must complete 15 units to graduate. Examples include World Cinema Before 1945; Survey of Interactive Media; and Seminar: Avant-Garde Film/Video. 

The culminating experience for the Animation + Digital Arts MFA at University of Southern California is the master’s thesis completed across three courses including, Animation Pre-Thesis Seminar; Master’s Thesis (594a); and Master’s Thesis (594b). 

The XA MFA at University of Southern California focuses on experimentation, animation research, and innovation. Designed for advanced artists, this terminal degree program consists of 50 units (minimum) completed across six semesters. Students in this unique program can select from an extensive list of research concentrations. Examples include Experimental Animation; Virtual Humans and AI; Science Visualization; Performance Gesture; Animation for Robotics; Gesture Movement; Documentary Animation; Dreams and Consciousness; Sound Design; Fine Art Animation Practice; Narrativity; and Cinematic Installations.

Courses for the USC XA MFA program are supported by exhibitions, research collaborations, and overnight field trips. Course examples include the Art of Motion in Virtual Space; Expanded Animation Production; Theory and Practice in Contemporary Animation; Art of Animation; Writing and Story Art for Vision and Motion; Expanded Animation Production; Animation Sound Design Practice; Advanced Animation Research Seminar; Applied Expanded Animation; and Survey of World Animation. 

Electives allow students to focus in additional areas of animation. Elective course examples include Stop Motion Puppet and Set Design; Animation for Virtual Characters, Robotics, and AI; Contemporary Topics: Animation Drams and Consciousness; Gesture Movement for Animation; Documentary Animation Production; Stop Motion Performance; Advanced Methods and Approaches; and Directed Research. 

The XA MFA program at USC culminates with the Master’s Thesis, completed over three courses: Animation Pre-Thesis Seminar, Master’s Thesis (594a), and Master’s Thesis (594b). Final XA MFA projects have focused on animation, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), interaction, installations, and more. 

Graduates of the Animation programs at the University of Southern California are prepared to pursue leadership roles in the entertainment industry. Program alumni have been hired at major studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DreamWorks Animation, Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Digital Domain, Pixar, Illumination, and Sony Pictures. Many USC alumni have gone on to launch their own studios or freelance businesses. 

Founded in 1880, University of Southern California is the oldest private research university in the state. When it opened, the school had just 53 students and 10 faculty. Today, USC enrolls approximately 47,000 students served by a faculty of more than 4,400. This makes University of Southern California the largest school by enrollment in the state and largest private sector employer in Los Angeles. 

Students at USC have access to more than 600 graduate and professional programs across 23 schools and divisions. The University of Southern California is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). 

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. 

Once called the “MIT of Visual Effects,” Gnomon is a competitive digital arts college the provides degree and certificate programs. The school also provides more than 100 individual courses and a preparatory program known as Foundation in Art and Design (FIAD). Open to high school graduates, the FIAD is a full-year, non-vocational program that provides an alternative to a traditional community college path. Students will immerse in foundational art and design studies, along with introductory courses in animation, game production pipelines, and the 3D software used in the visual effects industry. 

FIAD students may choose to focus on portfolio development; obtaining an entry-level position in animation, games, or visual effects; or transferring into a Gnomon degree or certificate program. 

Degree and certificate options include the 12-term Digital Production BFA and the two-year Digital Production for Entertainment (DPE) certificate. The BFA requires 180 total units, including 135 in career-focused study and 45 in general education. Students may choose from three concentration options including Visual Effects Animation; Game Art; and 3D Generalist. Although the Visual Effects Animation concentration is a top choice for animators, all options provide intensive training in industry software such as Houdini, ZBrush, Unreal Engine, Nuke, Maya, After Effects, V-Ray, and Photoshop. All options also feature extensive animation coursework. 

Across programs, students have access to courses and electives such as History and Principles of Animation; Character Animation 1-3; Liquid Simulations; Animation and Visual Effects 1-2; Art of Compositing; Previsualization and Animatics; HD Digital Filmmaking for VFX; Maya Modules; Dynamic Effects 1-4; Storyboarding; Advanced Compositing; Motion Capture; Houdini 1-4; and Virtual Production. 

The culminating experience for the Digital Production BFA program at Gnomon is the creation of a professional demo reel. Students will complete the project across four courses (Demo Reel 1-4). 

The Digital Production for Entertainment certificate is a 147-unit, full-time program with five areas of study. This includes Character and Creature Animation; Visual Effects Animation; Game Art; Modeling and Texturing; and 3D Generalist. All areas provide intensive training in Maya, Nuke, Unreal, ZBrush, Substance, V-Ray Houdini, and Unreal Engine. 

Regardless of focus area, students will study the 3D production pipelines in film, visual effects, and games. Course examples across areas include Character Animation 1-2; Motion Capture; Dynamic Effects 1-4; Animation and Visual Effects 1-2; Storyboarding; Art of Compositing; Houdini 1-4; Previsualization and Animatics; Character Rigging Fundamentals; and Photoshop for Digital Production. 

In the final two terms of the Gnomon DPE certificate program, students will complete the Career Realities course, the Portfolio and Resume Workshop course, and six Reel Lab courses. The lab courses culminate with a demo reel or the student’s best work. 

Gnomon graduates are prepared to pursue careers across the entertainment industry. With a near 100% employment rate, Gnomon alumni can be found at places such as Marvel Entertainment, Walt Disney Animation Studios, DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Nickelodeon Animation, Weta FX, Blizzard Entertainment, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Electronic Arts (EA), Naughty Dog, Digital Domain, Riot Games, and Reel FX.

Established in 1997 by Alex Alvarez, Gnomon sits on a 45,000 square feet campus within the historic Television Center Studio lot in North Hollywood, California. The school serves more than 550 students enrolled in digital arts degree and certificate programs. The school also provides 110 individual courses for skills improvement or to enhance marketability. The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) accredits gnomon.

Brigham Young University (BYU) is home to one of the nation’s most competitive animation programs. Established in 2010, the BYU Center for Animation accepts just 20-25 students each year. Students may gain entrance to this closed-enrollment program through BYU’s Animation BFA program or the Computer Science BS with an Animation and Games emphasis. 

Throughout the BYU Center for Animation program, students will gain hands-on experience through individual and collaborative projects; faculty mentoring; and internships with major studios such as DreamWorks, Pixar, and Disney. Students will also develop advanced design and software skills. In the junior or senior year of the program, students can specialize in anything from 3D animation to visual effects (VFX). 

Housed in the Design Department in the College of Fine Arts, the Animation BFA is a limited enrollment program that accepts just 75 students per enrollment period. In this 65 credit-hour program, students will explore areas such as 3D modeling, storyboarding, character animation, compositing, previsualization, lighting, special effects, materials/shading, technical animation, and concept art. 

Course examples include Experimental Animation and Production; Visual Development; Scripting for Animation; 3D Visual Effects; Technical Animation; The Joy and Beauty of Computing; Scripting for Animation; Advanced Shading; Pitching for Film and Games; Lighting for 3D Graphics; Visual Narrative; Intermediate 3D Computer Graphics; Animated Film Production 1-3; Advanced Storyboarding; Visual Development and Character Design; Directed Studies in Animation; and Business and Ethics in Animation. 

Housed in the Department of Computer Science in the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, the Computer Science BS (Animation and Games emphasis) is a limited enrollment program that accepts just 42 students per enrollment period. Consisting of 77-81.5 credit hours, the program explores animation, visual effects, software engineering, video game production, programming, computer graphics, user interfaces, and more. 

Course examples for the program include Scripting for Animation; Real-Time Techniques; Animated Film Production 1-3; Materials and Surfacing; Photography for Animation; Computer Graphics; 3D Visual Effects; Previsualization; Visual Narrative; Digital Sculpting; Lighting for 3D; and Advanced Shading; and History of Animation. 

The culminating experience for all programs is the Film Animation Capstone project completed across several courses. Films are submitted to national and international competitions. BYU animation students have won awards and received recognition from the Nickelodeon Film Festival; ACM Siggraph; Cannes Film Festival; the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Foundation; Annecy Film Festival; the Electronic Entertainment Expo; and Houston WorldFest. 

Graduates of the Animation programs at Brigham Young University are prepared to pursue careers in the entertainment industry, game design and development, advertising, and many others. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Disney, Nickelodeon, Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DreamWorks, Blizzard Entertainment, Sony Pictures Animation, Hasbro, Riot Games, and Digital Domain. 

Brigham Young University was founded in 1875 by Brigham Young—President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The school opened as Brigham Young Academy (BYA) on January 3, 1876. On the first day of classes, the school had just 29 students enrolled. Today, Brigham Young University serves approximately 35,745 students from more than 100 countries. Campuses include BYU-Utah, BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, BYU Pathway Worldwide, and Ensign College. 

One of the largest private universities in the U.S., BYU provides approximately 435 programs across dozens of colleges and departments. Brigham Young University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). 

The School of Cinematic Arts at DePaul University (DePaul) graduated its first class in 2005. Since then, the school has produced directors of hit television shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and The Blacklist; Emmy Award nominees such as Vera Drew; and animators for Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, Epic Games, and Gus Van Sant's Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot. 

Housed in Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM), the School of Cinematic Arts also provides many programs for students seeking careers in animation. Options include the Animation BA, BFA, MA, MFA, BA/MA, and BFA/MA, and a Computer Science (CS) + Animation (CS+ANI) BS with an Animation Technical Director (TD) concentration. An Animation TD minor is also available. 

The Animation BFA has concentrations in 3D Animation; Game Art; Visual Effects; Storyboarding and Character Design; Motion Graphics; and Cinema. While the Animation BA does not have concentrations, students in this program may create their own focus area through both major and open electives. Examples include Sound Design for Animation; Visual Effects; Stop Motion Animation; 3D Design for Animation; Screenwriting for Majors; Digital Puppet Animation; Illustration Foundations; and Hybrid Animation. 

Open electives may be selected from more than 20 Jarvis College minors. Minor examples include Film Production; Designing for Physical Technology; Experimental Filmmaking; Visual Effects; Television Graphic Design; Production; Information Technology; Comedy Filmmaking; and User Experience Design.

The Animation MA program at DePaul University has five concentrations including Traditional Animation; Storyboarding and Character Design; 3D Animation; Technical Artist; and Motion Graphics.  Course examples for the program include 3D Animation Production; Animation Figure Study; Advanced Topics in Visual Effects; Topics in 3D Animation; and Game Art Pipeline. 

The Animation MFA program at DePaul is designed for animators who have earned an undergraduate degree in visual arts areas such as animation, film, graphic design, or illustration. Because the program follows the project model, students will spend most of their time creating short films and thesis projects under the direction of MFA co-chairs and faculty mentors. 

Course examples for the program include Animation Mechanics; Storyboarding I; Sound Design for Animation; Cinema, Animation and Art; Animation History and Practice; Directing Sound Design and Music; Animation Graduate Seminar; and Graduate Teaching Seminar. 

The multidisciplinary BS in Computer Science and Animation is designed for students seeking technical artistic roles in animation and game development. In addition to a concentration in Animation TD, the program has a concentration in Game Art TD. Course examples for the program include Introduction to Animation Production; Optimized C++; 3D Character Animation; Environment Modeling; Programming Languages; 3D Modeling and Shading; Advanced Motion Capture Studio; Rendering and Graphics Programming; 3D Animation; Motion Graphics Foundations; 3D Design and Modeling; Advanced 3D Rigging; and Game Art Pipeline. 

In addition to access to a variety of in-demand courses, DePaul CS+ANI students benefit from interdisciplinary group projects with students majoring in areas such as 3D animation, storyboarding and character design, game art, game programming, and game design.

Across all School of Cinematic Arts programs, students benefit from courses taught by award-winning filmmakers who are part of one of the nation’s largest full-time animation faculties; access to a state-of-the-art, 32,000 square feet production facility known as DePaul Cinespace Studios; and the new Jarvis Student Center for Innovation and Collaboration. This open, 8,000 square feet space focuses on industry partnerships and multidisciplinary professional learning across emerging technologies. Collaborations and projects between students and faculty emphasize innovation and community needs. 

Cinespace and other CDM/SCA studios and facilities provide access to the latest industry-standard animation software, tools, and technologies. This includes Cintiq labs, stop motion stages, fabrication studios, 3D motion capture, motion control, sound studios, professional animation and effects software, and 3D printing. 

All DePaul Animation students also have the unique opportunity to participate in the Los Angeles Quarter Program. Over 10 weeks, this immersive experience allows students to intern at major Hollywood studios such The Jim Henson Company, Disney, Warner Bros. Animation, DreamWorks Animation, Nickelodeon, Sony Studios, and Titmouse. 

Additional program benefits include participation in the Premiere Film Festival; the Japan Study Abroad program; Project Bluelight; visiting artists from places such as Disney and Pixar; and access to the Animation Lodge. 

The Premiere Film Festival displays and awards the best student work in animation and film. The event attracts jury members from around the country including filmmakers, industry insiders, and festival programmers.

The Japan Study Abroad program is a biennial trip that takes students to Nagoya, Kyoto, and Tokyo for tours of Japanese animation and game studios, cultural sites, and galleries. 

Project Bluelight provides hands-on experience in motion picture production to all interested students. Students at The Lodge have opportunities to collaborate on group projects, build their portfolios, and network. 

Graduates of the Animation programs at DePaul University are prepared to pursue advanced roles in industries such as film and television, games, and advertising. Program alumni have been hired at major studios and gaming companies such as Lucasfilm, DreamWorks Animation, Electronic Arts (EA), Warner Bros. Animation, Google, Cartoon Network, Disney Animation Studios, Epic Games, Nickelodeon, LAIKA, Blizzard Entertainment, Iron Galaxy Studios, and BioWare. 

DePaul University is the largest Catholic university in the United States. Serving 21,210 students, the school is also the nation’s 12th-largest private, not-for-profit university, and the largest private, not-for-profit college in the Midwest. Founded in 1898, DePaul provides more than 300 undergraduate majors and graduate programs across two campuses, and 10 academic colleges and schools. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accredits DePaul University.

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).

Full Sail University (Full Sail) provides immersive programs in the entertainment, media, art, and technology fields. To support its programs, the school houses a large Hollywood-style back lot; more than 110 state-of-the-art studios; collaborative production environments; professional-level recording and game studios; and live venues that host concerts, festivals, and other events. In addition, Full Sail operates on a 24-hour-a-day basis, with labs that take place at any time during the day or night. 

All Full Sail programs emphasize project-based training, allowing students across majors to gain real-world experience before graduation. Full Sail students also have access to the Project LaunchBox, which provides software and tools to create projects, and a secure place to store student coursework and files. Project LaunchBox can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

For students seeking an animation degree, Full Sail University has a Computer Animation BS program with two tracks: online and on campus. The online track takes 29 months to complete. The campus track takes just 20 months to complete. Curriculums are identical, so students in both programs will learn how to navigate the same production pipelines used in today’s major studios.  

Course examples for the program include 3D Animation; Animation Production; Technical Animation; Motion Capture; Technology in the Entertainment and Media Industries; Creative Presentation; Psychology of Play; Compositing and Scene Finishing; Industry Production; and Model Creation.   

Students will also take two professional development seminar courses and seven project and portfolio courses covering computer animation and 3D arts. Additional professional development courses provide the opportunity for students to build their personal brand; interact with industry guest speakers; and learn about the innerworkings of the computer animation industry.  

A Career Readiness course, completed in the final month of the BS program, allows students to create a strategy for approaching and engaging with potential employers. Throughout the course, students will create a targeted résumé, cover letter, and professional portfolio.  

Full Sail University graduates are prepared to pursue careers in animation, film and television, game design, and advertising. Graduates will also have the skills needed to pursue careers in growing industries for animators such as augmented reality, science, architecture, medicine, law, publishing, geographical information systems (GIS), education, aerospace, training, and data visualization. 

Graduates have been hired to work with major studios, networks, companies, and agencies such as NASA, Apple, Electronic Arts (EA), ESPN, Google, Sony, Disney, HBO, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Pixar, the NFL, Universal Studios, MTV, Warner Bros., Insomniac Games, PBS, Meta, NASCAR, the WWE, and Unity Technologies.  

More than 45 Full Sail University alumni were also credited on numerous 2024 Grammy-Nominated projects; 100 graduates were credited on many 2024 Academy Award films; and nearly 200 graduates were credited on shows presented at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards. In addition, Full Sale alumni have worked on previous award-winning productions such as Everything Everywhere All at Once; Jurassic World: Dominion, Minions: The Rise of Gru, and Lightyear, as well as Stranger Things 4, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Ms. Marvel, among others. 

Full Sail University launched in 1979 as a recording studio in Dayton, Ohio that provided workshops. Today, the school sits on a 210-acre campus less than 20 miles from downtown Orlando and Universal Studios. Serving approximately 21,000 students, Full Sail provides graduate certificates and degree programs at all levels. Full Sail University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). 

Otis College of Art and Design (Otis) is LA’s first professional school of the arts. The school also employs more than 430 professors who are all active professionals in the fields of art and design.

For students seeking careers in animation, Otis College of Art and Design has a competitive Animation BFA program and a two-year Animation certificate. The BFA is an interdisciplinary, STEM-designated program that provides technical and creative training. In addition to developing advanced skills in 2D and 3D computer animation, 3D production, and visual development, students will master industry software such as Unreal Engine, Toon Boom, Houdini, Maya, Nuke, Cinema 4D, Adobe Suite, and ZBrush.

Core courses for the program explore character design, rendering, mathematics, complex graphics, and modeling. Course examples for the program include Form and Figure; Contemporary Studio and Creative Action; Exploration Into Making: Thought Lab 2; Producing and Production Management; Animation Basics; Art History of Animation; Storytelling Fundamentals; Design and Drawing for Animation; Stop Motion Animation; Advanced Storyboarding; Motion Capture; and Storytelling: Cinematic/Miyazaki.

Each semester, students will apply what they’ve learned to their own studio projects. Key projects include Animation Explorations; Animation Studio Project I and II; and Animation Senior Project I and II. BFA students may also complete a professional internship. 

The Animation certificate program is provided through the Otis College of Art and Design Extension Center. Consisting of 16 required courses and two elective courses, the certificate program focuses on animated graphics, character creation, story development, visual effects, and creating environments. Course examples include 2D and 3D Animation I-II; Digital Storytelling; Character Design; Storyboarding for Film and Animation; Color Theory and Design; Digital Tools: Media; and Life Drawing.

Elective examples for the program include Motion Graphics I-II; Video Editing: Adobe Premiere; Cinema 4D; Digital Imagine II: Photoshop; and 3D Digital Modeling I-II. 

The Animation certificate program culminates with the Final Portfolio: Digital Media Arts course. Upon completion of this course, students will have a professional-quality portfolio of their best work. 

Graduates of the Animation Programs at Otis College of Art and Design are prepared to pursue roles across industries such as entertainment, game design, and advertising. Otis alumni can be found at major companies and studios such as Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney, DreamWorks Animation, Nickelodeon, Reel FX, Nike, Apple, Netflix, and Mattel. 

Established in 1918, Otis College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit college that serves more than 1,200 students enrolled in eight BFA and two MFA degree programs. Areas of study include Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Public Practice, and Writing. The school also provides more than 150 extension courses, minors, and certificate programs. 

Otis College of Art and Design is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). OTIS is also a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) and the Partnership for Academic Leadership on Sustainability (PALS). 

Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) began as the Minneapolis School of Fine Arts. When it opened, classes commenced in a rented apartment in downtown Minneapolis. Within a few years the school moved on the top floor of the newly built Minneapolis Public Library. Today, MCAD sits on an 11-acre urban campus that houses galleries, media centers, studios, exhibition spaces, a library, fitness center, an art cellar, computer labs, and administrative offices. 

Instead of dorms, MCAD provides shared furnished apartments for students. This includes The Web, The Shallows, and The Lodge. Full-time first-year and sophomore undergraduates are required to live on campus. 

In addition to a vibrant campus life, Minneapolis College of Art and Design provides several pathways to study animation. At the undergraduate level, the school has an Animation BFA and a minor. At the graduate level, students can earn a Visual Studies MFA.

Students in both degree programs can complete an internship and/or study abroad in places such as the UK, Italy, Germany, and Japan. Across programs, students have completed internships at places such as MTV, Nickelodeon, Walter Art Center, and MASS MoCA.  

The MCAD Animation minor explores traditional animation techniques, storytelling, compositing, and pre-production. Students in this 15 credit-hour program will also learn how to use the latest industry software to create animations. All students will take Introduction to Animation. For the remainder of the credits, student may choose from courses such as Drawing for Animators; Storyboard; 3D Animation; Stop-Motion Animation; Character Animation 1; Visual Effects; 2D Digital Animation; Experimental Animation; 3D Modeling; Introduction to Sound; Character Animation 2; and 3D Rendering. 

The MCAD Animation BFA is a collaborative program with 2D and 3D tracks. Both tracks require 12 credit hours of study. Consisting of 120 total credits, the BFA allows students to customize an additional focus area (or areas) through 26 credits of required studio electives. Course examples for the program include Introduction to Filmmaking; Experimental Animation; Background Layout for Animators; Virtual Environments; Stop-Motion Animation; 3D Modeling; 2D Digital Animation; Professional Practice; and Character Animation. 

The culminating experience for the Animation BFA program at Minneapolis College of Art and Design is the senior project and presentation. 

The interdisciplinary Visual Studies MFA allows students to focus in one or more areas of interest. Examples include animation, interactive/digital media, experimental film and video, sound art, web and multimedia, illustration, comic arts, drawing/painting, graphic design, and photography. Students in this 60 credit-hour program also have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a mentor each semester to help reach their goals. 

Other program benefits include access to state-of-the art facilities, classrooms, and private studios; participation in events at art centers, galleries, and nonprofits in the Twin Cities; the Master’s Trip to NYC, which features visits to art and design venues, creative agencies, and artist studios; and the option to complete the three-credit Teaching Art and Design online certificate. 

Courses for the certificate count towards elective requirements. This allows MFA students to graduate with a terminal degree and a focused certificate. The MCAD MFA program culminates with a thesis and exhibition. 

Graduates of the Animation programs at Minneapolis College of Art and Design are prepared to pursue careers in all areas of film and animation, game design, advertising, visualization, and many others. MCAD graduates (and students) have been hired at (or interned with) companies and studios such as Nickelodeon, MTV, Medtronic Inc., Walker Art Center, and Target.

Minneapolis College of Art and Design was established in 1886 by the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts. The school serves approximately 800 students from 45 states and 15 countries. MCAD programs include 14 undergraduate majors leading to a BFA or BS; three MA degrees; one MFA degree; 11 minors; and seven professional development certificates. 

Minneapolis College of Art and Design is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The school is also affiliated with the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD).

The School of Design at Columbia College Chicago houses an Animation and Computer Graphics BA with opportunities to customize a concentration area. Past students have specialized in everything from traditional animation to game art to computer vision for visual effects (CVFX). 

Columbia College also lists an Animation BA, Computer Animation BFA, Traditional Animation BFA, and an Animation minor for the 2024-2025 academic year. The minor, which explores the basics of hand-drawn, object, and stop-motion animation, can be taken alone or with any major.

The Animation BA has several options and areas of study including hand drawn animation, cinema visual effects, stop motion animation, computer animation, alternative forms of animation, or a combination of all areas. The Computer Animation BFA is a professional degree with advanced courses in story, critical studies, and CG Animation. The Traditional Animation BFA is also a professional degree that focuses on advanced animation, story, classic art, and critical studies.

Students in all programs may participate in the Animation Studios in LA Program. Activities for this one-credit program include specialized classes, tours, employment screenings, and portfolio reviews. Past participating studios include Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, Cartoon Network, Disney, and Warner Bros.

Columbia animation students also have access to state-of-the-art classrooms and workshops; Cintiq labs, stop-motion labs, and traditional animation camera labs; instructional spaces for stop-motion and traditional animation projects; and the Animation Equipment Center. Other program benefits include the internship program, which provides opportunities to work at local studios, and the study abroad program, which provides access to faculty-led experiences (and others) in more than 20 countries. 

Across programs students can expect to take courses such as History of Animation; Storyboarding for Animation; Scriptwriting; Animation Layout; Alternative Strategies in Animation; Animation Maquettes; Environmental Design and Modeling; Digital Animation Techniques Current 2D Trends; Acting for Animators; Drawing for Animation I-II; Digital Animation Techniques: Ink, Paint & Composite; and The Business of Animated Content. 

The culminating experience for the programs is the production of an animation portfolio and an animated film to be presented at Manifest—Columbia Colleges annual art festival highlighting graduating students work. 

According to the most recent available figures, 98% of Columbia College Animation graduates are employed or pursuing an advanced degree within a year of graduation. 

Animation alumni have been hired at major networks and studios such as Pixar, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network, Disney, Microsoft, and Weta Digital. They have worked on films and series such as Frozen, Pocahontas, The Lion King, Coco, Robot Chicken, Brave, The Lego Batman Movie, and UP. 

Program alumni have also gone on to win Oscars and Emmy Awards, while others have launched their own independent studios and freelance businesses.

Columbia College Chicago was established in 1890 as the Columbia School of Oratory. This private, nonprofit college serves nearly 6,700 students from 50 states and more than 60 countries. Programs include more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degrees in all creative disciplines. The school also provides business management and cultural studies programs. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accredits Columbia College Chicago. 

DigiPen has international partnerships with Princess Nourah bint Abdul Rahman University in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Keimyung University in South Korea; The One Academy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Thammasat University in Thailand. These partnerships help foster the fields of animation, game design, computer science, engineering, and more. 

DigiPen is also a Certified Partner of SideFX and the first school in the world to offer a bachelor’s degree in video game programming. SideFX is the Toronto-based company that developed Houdini—the 3D procedural software for film, TV, and game development. Houdini is the preferred software for major studios such as Pixar, DreamWorks, Disney Animation, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DNEG, MPC, and many others. 

Other DigiPen features include intensive programs for artists seeking degrees in art, engineering, design, and technology; interdisciplinary team-based projects that last anywhere from a semester to a year; courses taught by accomplished artists who have worked on projects for Lucasfilm and Disney Animation Studio; and the opportunity to study abroad at the DigiPen campuses in Singapore or Spain, or at any partner institute. 

Program options for animators include the Digital Art and Animation BFA, and the Digital Arts MFA. The BFA is a competitive program designed for artists looking to enhance their skills. Students will explore areas such as 2D and 3D animation, computer graphics, storytelling, digital sculpting, drawing, and production pipelines. Course examples include Animation I-III; Film History; Introduction to Scripting and Programming; Visual Development for Production; Game History; Storytelling; 3D Digital Art Pipeline; and Cinematic Project I-III. 

In the junior year of this 126 credit-hour program, students will create a specialization of their choice from Digital Art and Animation electives, and open electives. 

The Digital Art and Animation BFA is available at all DigiPen campuses. The program culminates with a final project and presentation. 

The DigiPen Digital Arts MFA is a 60 credit-hour program designed for students with formal training in animation, composition, 3D modeling, color theory, digital painting, and drawing. This means, the program focuses heavily on advanced training in 2D or 3D digital art production.

Course examples for the program include Art Research Methodology; 3D Concepts and Production; Conceptual Design and Illustration; Advanced Character Creation; Organic and Hard Surface Modeling; Art Production Process; Physics for Animation and Modeling; Digital Arts Survey and Analysis; Storyboarding; Character Design; and Management for Art Directors. Free electives and independent study provide opportunities for students to customize a specialization. 

The Digital Arts MFA program culminates with the thesis project, completed over two courses. The Thesis Pre-Production course lasts one semester. For the final two semesters of the program, students will work with a faculty advisor to complete the final Thesis Project course. Throughout the program, students will also work in teams to create several animated films, games, live-action films, or other works. 

Graduates of the Digital Art and Animation BFA, and the Digital Arts MFA programs at DigiPen are prepared to pursue roles across the entertainment industry, for leadership roles across industries, or to launch their own studios and freelance businesses. 

Over the years, DigiPen graduates have earned more than 300 awards and festival selections; they have won approximately 230 awards for game projects and academic papers; and they have helped develop more than 2,000 commercial game titles. 

DigiPen alumni have been hired by more than 1,250 companies worldwide. Examples include Electronic Arts (EA), Nintendo, DreamWorks, Sony, Microsoft, Amazon Games, Walt Disney Imagineering, Zynga, Google, Blizzard Entertainment, Warner Bros. Games, ArenaNet, Apple, Riot Games, and Meta.

DigiPen was established in 1988 as a computer simulation and animation company in Vancouver, British Columbia. Today, DigiPen is an institute of technology that serves over 1,000 students across campuses in Redmond, Washington; Singapore; and Bilbao, Spain. Programs include 10 undergraduate and graduate degrees in Computer Science, Digital Art and Animation, Engineering, Game Design and Development, and Music and Audio. DigiPen is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

College for Creative Studies (CCS) is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Founded in 1944, this prestigious organization accredits less than 350 institutions nationwide. In addition to NASAD-accreditation, CCS houses a STEM-designated Entertainment Arts program that has Animation, Game Design, and Concept Design pathways. 

A Toon Boom Center for Excellence, the Entertainment Arts program at CCS also features courses taught by Hollywood insiders and Unreal Authorized Instructors (UAI); access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment including PC and MAC equipment, gaming labs, editing suites, and full VR capabilities with Vive goggles and sensors; and internship opportunities with local and regional studios. Students may also participate in the study abroad program, which features faculty-led and independent experiences in places such as Paris, London, Italy, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, and India. 

Leading to a BFA, the Entertainment Arts program begins with the First Year Experience (FYE), which consists of courses such as Animation I; 2D Design Principles; Digital Techniques; Process and Making; Drawing I: Rapid Concept; and Drawing II: Style and Skill. 

In the second year of the program, students will begin taking courses in their chosen pathway. Animation course examples include Animation II-III; Experimental Animation; Animation Nuts and Bolts; Introduction to Filmmaking Animation Production; and History of Animation and Digital Media. Animation elective examples include Stop Motion; Sound Design; Computer Character Animation; Playing the Self; and Storyboarding for Film/Animation. 

Upper division course examples include Animation Projects I-II; Professional Futures; and Advanced Story Concepts. In the final year of the program, CCS Animation students will complete several required general education electives; Entertainment Arts electives; and Senior Production Studio I-II. The studio culminates with a finished project and portfolio. 

Graduates of the Entertainment Arts BFA (Animation) program at College for Creative Studies are prepared to pursue careers in the entertainment, games, advertising, and other industries. Program alumni have been hired at major studios, companies, and networks such as Nickelodeon, Lucasfilm, Disney, Pixar, Cartoon Network, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Marvel, DreamWorks Animation, Blizzard Entertainment, Google, Universal, Titmouse, EA Sports, Warner Bros. Animation, Technicolor Group, Bento Box, ABC Television Group, DC Entertainment, and WildBrain Studios. 

College for Creative Studies was established in 1906 as the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts. Today, this private, nonprofit institution serves more than 1,400 students enrolled in 23 different art and design programs leading to a BFA, MA, or MFA degree. In addition to NASAD accreditation, College for Creative Studies is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) also accredits CCS. 

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The school houses an Animation Department with a collaborative BFA in 2D Animation or 3D Animation. Consisting of 123 credit hours, the program curriculum has a liberal arts component that emphasizes critical awareness, information literacy, and global consciousness. 

Both 2D and 3D Animation students will take courses that explore texture mapping; storyboarding; character design; line of action; modeling; and observational drawing. Each option requires 27 credit hours. Designed for students interested in traditional animation, the 2D Animation program requires 21 credits in animation and six studio elective credits. With a focus on computer animation, the 3D Animation program requires 18 credits in animation and nine in studio electives. 

Across programs, students will learn the 12 principles of animation and master software such as Adobe Creative Cloud including Photoshop; Toon Boom Harmony; Autodesk Maya; and Storyboard Pro. 

Course examples include The Art of Villainy; Digital Painting for Film and Games; Experimental Animation; Character Animation and Motion Studies; Character Rigging; 3D Computer Lighting and Materials; Fundamentals of Animation; 3D Character and Production Design; Creative Visualization; Video Editing and Sound Design for Animation; Scriptwriting for Animation; Tools and Techniques of Contemporary Animation; 2D Computer Animation I-II; Animation Layout and Production; 3D Computer Animation Motion Studies; Stop Motion Animation; World Building; and Special Topics. 

At the sophomore, junior, and senior levels, Animation BFA students will participate in intensive portfolio reviews. The culminating experience for the programs is the final project and presentation. Programs can be completed in four years, with year-round online and on-campus courses.  

Graduates of the Animation BFA programs at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design are prepared to pursue roles across the entertainment, games, and advertising industries. Program alumni have been hired at major networks, companies, and studios such as Nickelodeon, Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Cartoon Network, Blizzard Entertainment, LAIKA, Sony Pictures Animation, Walt Disney World, Warner Bros., Microsoft, Epic Games, Adobe, Design Republic, and Pentagram. 

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design opened in 1963 as Rocky Mountain School of Art. Serving more than 1,000 students, RMCAD provides 16 degree and certificate programs in campus/hybrid and online formats. In addition to NASAD accreditation, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 

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). 

Loyola Marymount University (LMU) focuses on providing real-world experience in a faith-based academic environment. With views of the Pacific Ocean and the Hollywood sign, LMU is also a leader in creative fields such as film and television. 

The School of Film and Television (SFTV) at Loyola Marymount University is home to the first program to build a motion-capture lab with courses in virtual cinematography and pre-visualization. Known as the Walter and Grace Lantz Undergraduate Animation Program, this pioneering course of study leads to a BA or a minor. 

With small class sizes that provide high student-faculty interaction, both options provide access to state-of-the-art facilities such as a 4,000 square feet premiere studio designed by Gensler; nearly a dozen smart classrooms; a 28-seat FTV screening room; a render farm with 30 nodes of rendering animation frames; and the Student Production Office (SPO), which assists students with completing individual projects. 

SFTV Animation BA students also have opportunities to complete an internship with one of more than 400 partner companies including Disney, Nickelodeon, HBO, DreamWorks, and Netflix, to name a few. Internships are also available to BA students through LMU’s study abroad program. With more than 100 locations, experiences are also immersive, and either faculty-led, service-learning based, or research-based. Location examples include Paris, Beijing, London, Amsterdam, Kyoto, Budapest, and Seoul.

Students in both programs will explore television, film, game design, and other media forms while gaining hands-on experience in storytelling, 3D filmmaking, stop-motion, visual effects (VFX), and motion-capture. Animation minor students will complete 18 credit hours including Discovering Animation; Visual Story Development; and Introduction to 3D Computer Animation, Introduction to Interactive Animation, or History of Animation. The remaining courses will come from 300 and 400 level animation electives selected under the direction of the Chairperson. 

Students in the LMU SFTV Animation BA program will complete 120-130 credit hours of study across eight semesters (four years). The required 24+ credit hours of electives allow students to select a focus area. Students can also add the minor in Interactive, Gaming, and Immersive Media (IGI). 

Course examples for the Animation BA program include Discovering Animation; Digital Toolbox; Introduction to 3D Computer Animation; History of Animation; Intermediate Animation Workshop; Visual Story Development; Figure Drawing Workshop; Art of Screen Media; Rhetorical Arts; and Animation Practicum. 

The IGI minor is a collaboration between the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering, and SFTV. Courses for the program focus on interactive and immersive gaming; programming, design, and analysis; world building; and writing. Led by the Animation Chair, the program requires 21-22 credit hours selected from the Seaver College and the SFTV. Course examples include Introduction to Interactive Animation; Computer Programming and Lab; Game Design; Advanced Interactive Animation; Video Game Writing; Game Development; VR Studio; and Analysis of Video Games. 

Also housed in the Seaver College is the Computer Science BS (CS BS) with a Games and Interactive Computer Science (GICS) track. The curriculum for this program can be supplemented with several animation courses and one physics course. 

The LMU Animation BA culminates with the Senior Thesis Project/Production course worth three credit hours. Students in the IGI minor and the Computer Science BS with a Games and Interactive Computer Science track will also have the option to complete a final project. 

Graduates of Animation and CS/GICS programs at Loyola Marymount University are prepared to pursue positions in fields such as animation, film, and television; forensic animation; game design and development; animation for science and medicine; advertising and marketing; and art education. 

To date, more than 400 employers have hired LMU SFTV alumni. More than 80% of alumni are working in the field and more than 10% go on to enroll in a graduate studies program.

Animation program alumni have created successful animated series such as Johnny Bravo (1997- 2004, Cartoon Network) and they have worked on other major productions and series such as Superman: Doomsday; The Simpsons; Green Lantern: First Flight; Wonder Woman; and The Simpsons Movie.

LMU SFTV alumni have also been hired at major companies, networks, and studios such as Sony Pictures Animation, Nickelodeon, Viacom, Paramount, Sony Playstation, Walt Disney Animation, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros., Amazon Studios, Disney/ABC, Random House Studios, DreamWorks, NBCUniversal, BET Networks, HBO, 21st Century Fox (founded by Rupert Murdoch), E! Entertainment, and Netflix.

Established in 1911, Loyola Marymount University is a private Catholic University and National University/High Research Activity (R2) institution. Serving approximately 9,150 students across two campuses in Los Angeles and one in Playa Vista, California, LMU is also the largest Catholic university on the West Coast. The school provides nearly 180 programs across seven colleges and schools. Loyola Marymount University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

With its signature experiential learning model and more than 3,500 employer partners, Northeastern University prepares students for immediate employment across industries. The school has established solid relationships with co-op employers such as Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Microsoft Studios, Walt Disney Company, Lucasfilm, Viacom, Electronic Arts (EA), Apple, Universal Pictures, Sony, Amazon, Adobe, CBS, and Meta. 

Partnerships such as these are especially beneficial to students in Northeastern’s animation programs in the College of Arts, Media and Design (CAMD), and Khoury College of Computer Sciences. 

Serving 2,800 students, the CAMD houses the Department of Art + Design, home to the Art + Design BFA with an Animation concentration; the Game Art and Animation BFA; and the Animation minor. 

All programs take place in a collaborative, immersive environment, with opportunities to explore other areas such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and extended reality (XR); interactive video; and game design. In both BFA programs, students will work their way through the production pipelines for animated films, simulations, games, visualizations, spatial media, and visual effects (VFX).

Course examples for the CAMD Animation concentration include Animation Basics; Character Design for Animation; Virtual Environment Design; Making with Video, Sound, and Animation; Animation 1-3; and Animation for Games. The Media Arts Degree Project course is the culminating experience for this program. 

The Game Art and Animation BFA program at Northeastern University requires 130 credit hours, with 90 in the major. Game Art/Animation students will take many of the same courses as students in the Animation concentration. Other courses may include Foundations of Game Design; Physical Computing; Games and Society; Experience and Interaction Tools; Game Concept Development; Narrative for Games; Survey of the Still Moving Image; Game Production; and Experimental Game Design. 

Students will also complete the Media Arts Degree Project course as the culminating experience for the program. 

Established in 1982 and the nation’s first computer science college, Khoury College of Computer Sciences houses the Computer Science BS (CS BS) program with a combined major in Media Arts. Consisting of 134 credit hours, the CS BS explores animation; AR/VR, artificial intelligence (AI), human-computer interaction (HCI), and machine learning; and traditional disciplines such as computer graphics, video, database design, and photography.

Course examples for the program include Making with Video, Sound, and Animation; Virtual Environment Design; Animation Basics; Introduction to Immersive Media; Animation 1-3; Experimental Video; Making with Video, Sound, and Animation Tools; Computer Graphics; Character Design for Animation; Human Computer Interaction (HCI); Animation for Games; and Animation Tools. The CS/BS/Media Arts program culminates with the Media Arts Degree Project.

Graduates of the CAMD BFA and Khoury BS/CS programs at Northeastern University have found success in areas such as animation, TV and film, game art and design, VR/AR, XR, advertising, HCI, and digital media. Program alumni have been hired by many partner companies and studios such as Apple, Amazon, CNBC, Google, Microsoft, IBM, Dolby, NBC Universal, and Meta. 

Northeastern University began as the Evening Institute of the Boston Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in 1898. Today, with 13 campuses across the U.S., Canada, and the UK, this global research university serves approximately 36,630 students from all backgrounds. Northeastern’s 10 colleges and schools provide more than 500 programs. Northeastern University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). 

The Department of Art, Film, and Visual Studies (AFVS) at Harvard University emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to visual arts studies. This means students can concentrate in just about any area of visual arts. Examples include animation, filmmaking, video art, drawing, painting, and visual studies. Students in all concentrations have the opportunity to work with faculty in studios and focused seminars to reach their goals. 

The AFVS Department is housed in the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts—the nation’s only Le Corbusier building. In addition to the Carpenter Center, AFVS courses are held in Sever Hall—a National Historic Landmark, and Linden Street Studios—a designated space for faculty members, upper division students, and practicing artists). 

For students who would like to pursue animation, the Department of Art, Film, and Visual Studies provides courses that allow students to customize their study plan. Examples include Fundamentals of Animation; Experimental Animation; Intermediate Animation; Film and Visual Studies Workshop; Embodied Practices: Coding and Interactivity for Artists; Advanced Projects in Time-Based Media; Contemporary Moving Image Practices; Adventure and Fantasy Simulation 1871-2036; Film Sound/Film Music; The Art of Film; Immersive Experience as Art; Film Study Center Non-fiction Filmmaking Workshop; A Video Toolbox; Drawing as a Visual Language; AI and Art; and Proseminar in Film and Visual Studies. 

Leading to a BA with a concentration in Art, Film, and Visual Studies, the program culminates with a final project and presentation. Graduates of the AFVS programs at Harvard University are prepared to pursue careers in all areas of animation and film production. Program alumni have also gone on to teach or start their own independent studios. 

Founded in 1636, Harvard University is the oldest institution of higher education in the U.S. Nearly 20,700 faculty and staff serve approximately 25,600 students enrolled in hundreds of programs across 13 degree-granting Schools and the Harvard Radcliffe Institute. Harvard University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Chapman University (Chapman) is home to one of the world’s top 10 film schools. Serving around 16% of all students enrolled, Chapman’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts (Dodge College) attracts award-winning actors, directors, and producers such as Jon Batiste, Natasha Lyonne, Brit Marling, Alexander Payne, Billy Ray, Lauren Faust, John Musker, and Brenda Chapman. Together, these industry professionals provide master classes, one-on-one mentoring, workshops, and more. 

Dodge also regularly welcomes guest speakers such as Michelle Yeoh, Oliver Stone, Barry Jenkins, Judd Apatow, Brendan Fraser, and Alejandro G. Inarritu. 

One of the first major film schools to implement a hyper-realistic LED screen, Dodge plans to open a state-of-the-art virtual studio (Innovation Hub), which will link students with future advancements in the entertainment world. Other Dodge facilities include the collaborative space known as the Digital Media Arts Center (DMAC); Chapman Studios West; and Marion Knott Studios.

Inspired by the creative spaces at major studios such as Disney, Pixar, Microsoft, and Google, the DMAC is an 18,000 square-feet space that features a 2D Animation Lab; a traditional skylit art studio with 25 workstations; a 100-seat screening room; a 1,500 square-feet directing stage; two digital arts labs with the latest Maya software for 3D design and animation; a full 65-blade render farm powered by Quanta and Intel Xeon computers; and 10 private digital arts editing suites. 

Chapman Studios West is a 38,000 square-feet building that supports Dodge College’s documentary filmmaking program. Additional spaces include a 50-seat 900 square-feet screening room; a 6,000 square-feet scene shop; and a 7,000 square-feet prop and set warehouse with over 18,000 pieces. 

Designed to function as a real-world working production studio, Marion Knott Studios is a 76,000 square-feet space that houses state-of-the-art facilities such as 36 individual editing suites; a production design studio; cinematography and directing stages; computer labs; hair and makeup rooms; a media library; audition rooms; a set design shop; mixing studios; a production management office; and a 500-seat theater. Across facilities, students have unlimited access to industry software and tools such Houdini, Toon Boom, ZBrush, Nuke, Adobe, Unreal Engine, Maya, Blender, and Rokoko. 

In addition to extensive production facilities and resources, Chapman’s Dodge College provides immersive programs that combine filmmaking, filmmaking history, animation, writing, screenwriting, advertising, PR, and producing. A popular option for animators is the Animation and Visual Effects (AVE). 

Leading to a BFA, the AVE program allows students to focus in CG Animation, 2D Animation, or Visual Effects. Note that course requirements and electives may overlap. Course examples for the CG Area include 3D Computer Graphics I-II; Storytelling in Animation and Visual Effects; Advanced Pre-Visualization for Motion Pictures; Pinocchio and Co: The Puppet Across Media; Advanced Character Animation for CG; History and Aesthetics of Animation and Visual Effects; Storyboarding and Story Reels; Character Design; Animation and Visual Effects: Evenings with the Experts; Short-Form Film and TV Analysis; Production Design for Animation and Visual Effects; Cinematography; and Audio Techniques. 

2D students will take courses such as Advanced Storyboards and Character Layout; Figure Drawing for Animators; Production Design for Animation and Visual Effects; Writing for Animation; 2D Computer Graphics I-II; Mechanics of Motion; Writing for Film and TV; Animation and Visual Effects: Evenings with the Experts; Audio Design; Color and Design: Principles and Practice; and Character Design. 

In the Visual Effects area, students will take courses such as Advanced Visual Effects Production and Workflow; Compositing for Visual Effects; Advanced Pre-visualization for Motion Pictures; Virtual Production Workshop for Animation and Visual Effects; Unreal Engine for Filmmakers; Advanced 3D Computer Graphics for Visual Effects; and On-Set and Post-Production Visual Effects Supervision. 

All Dodge College AVE students will complete Senior Thesis I: Concept Development; Senior Thesis II: Pre-Production and Production I; and Senior Thesis III: Production II and Post-Production. 

During the final years of the AVE program at Chapman University, all students may complete an internship with Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, or Blizzard Entertainment, among others. All Dodge College students also have the opportunity to study abroad at Gobelins Paris, and in places such as Mozambique, Japan, New Zealand, Thailand, Peru, or Italy

Across programs, AVE students may participate in student clubs such as the Chapman Animation and Visual Effects Club; the Virtual Reality/AR Club; or The Collective. 

Graduates of the AVE BFA program at Chapman University are prepared to pursue careers across the animation/film, television, and game industries, among others. Program alumni can be found at places such as Nickelodeon, Sony Pictures, Marvel, DreamWorks, Blizzard Entertainment, DNEG, PlayStation, Netflix, Bento Box, Lightstorm Entertainment, The Third Floor, and Frame48. 

Chapman University was founded in 1861 as Hesperian College. Originally located in Woodland, California, the school is an R2 research institution with a focus on entertainment, business, and technology. Approximately 10,000 Chapman students have access to more than 200 programs of study across 11 colleges and schools. Chapman University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

The DAVE School consists of an 18,000 square feet facility that sits on the backlot of Universal Studios Florida. The learning environment features 24/7 access to interactive labs; a Vicon motion capture system; 3D printing and VR/AR labs; and a dedicated virtual and real-time production stage. With a focus on games and digital animation and visual effects (DAVE), the school provides formal programs in FX Production; Game Production; Game Production in Simulation and Immersive Technology; Visual Effects Production; Virtual Production; and Digital Arts. 

Ideal options for animators include the Digital Arts and Technology BS with concentrations in Visual Effects (VFX) Production, Game Production, and Virtual Production; and the VFX Production, Game Production, and Virtual Production diploma programs. The VFX Production and Game Production diplomas take 12 months to complete. The Virtual Production diploma takes 18 months to complete. The BS takes 36 months to complete. All options are fully on-campus, with winter, spring, summer, and fall start times. 

The Digital Arts and Technology BS requires 125-129 credit hours of study. The program begins with general education courses such as Cultural Studies; Public Speaking; Ethics and AI; Psychology of Emotion and Motivation; Visual Culture: Media, Art, and Technology; 3D Geometry; Communication in Cultural Settings; and Cyberpsychology. While courses may vary between concentrations or overlap, all students will complete 3D Animation: The Art of Motion. 

VFX Production students will take other courses such as Advanced VFX Pipelines and Studio Production; Drawing for Animators; AI Principles in CGI Production; and Motion Picture Editing and Workflow. Game Production students will take other courses such as Game Asset Creation and Immersive Technologies; Character Animation; Real-Time Technologies and Studio Production; and Creature Creation and Animation. 

Virtual Production students will take courses such as Compositing and VFX: Principles of Integration; AI Principles in CGI Production; Unreal Cinematography; and On-Set Virtual Production. Across concentrations, students will complete several projects, a professional portfolio, and demo reel to graduate. 

The VFX Production diploma program at The DAVE School skips the general education courses and dives right into studio learning with project-based workflows. Students in this 60 credit-hour program will explore 3D animation; organic modeling and digital sculpting in ZBrush; the art and science of lighting, texturing, and look development; and the principles of hard surface modeling. The top software programs for this program include After Effects, Unreal Engine, and Maya. 

In the last three months of the DAVE School VFX Production program, students will complete pre-production, production, and post-production for two projects. Students graduate with a demo reel and professional portfolio. 

The 60 credit-hour Game Production program also begins with major courses and in the same areas of exploration as the VFX program. Students will also learn about character, prop, and environment modeling; rigging; level design; and visual effects. Utilized software includes After Effects, Maya, and Unreal Engine, among others. 

At the end of this collaborative program, students will work in teams on the development and pre-production of a game through the Alpha, Beta, and Gold Production levels. Projects result in a final in-house game release that will become part of the students’ permanent demo reel. 

The Virtual Production diploma is the DAVE School’s flagship program. Consisting of 90 focused credit hours completed over 18 months, the curriculum for the VP diploma is a combination of all coursework from the VFX Production and Game Production diploma programs. In the final six months of the program, students will develop two VFX projects. Students will also complete a game project from conception to in-house release. Final projects culminate with a professional demo reel. 

DAVE School graduates are prepared to pursue any role in the entertainment or games industries. Program alumni have been hired at major studios such as MPC and Brown Bag Films. Some DAVE School alumni have also gone on to launch their own independent studios or freelance businesses. 

The DAVE School was founded as the Digital Animation & Visual Effects School on June 8, 2000 by two industry executives. Today, the school serves around 1,000 students enrolled in six programs leading to a bachelor’s degree or diploma. As an academic unit of NUC University, The DAVE School is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MCSHE).