Top 5 Animation School Programs in Indiana - 2025 College Rankings

Purdue University (Purdue) houses 10 academic colleges that provide degrees at all levels across all disciplines. Among the school’s 10 colleges is Purdue Polytechnic Institute. 

Formally organized in 1964 as the School of Technology and known as Purdue Polytechnic, the institute serves more than 7,000 students at 11 locations across Indiana. With six academic departments, the Polytechnic is the college for Purdue’s Division of Military Science and Technology and its three ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) programs on campus. 

One of the six departments of Purdue Polytechnic is the Department of Computer Graphics Technology (CGT). Within the department are several paths to study animation. Options include a CGT BS with a major in Animation and Visual Effects (ANFX); the CGT MS; and a Five-Year CGT BS/MS. The CGT MS is part of Purdue’s Computational Interdisciplinary Graduate Program.

Visual Effects at Purdue is a STEM-based discipline, so CGT BS ANFX students will take courses in calculus, physics, and trigonometry. The program also focuses on 3D modeling, computer rendering, digital lighting, video, motion, texturing, character rigging, and audio. Throughout the program, students will have opportunities to create animated films, games, and other productions using industry software such as Autodesk and Maya. Students may also experiment with other types of animation software. 

The CGT BS ANFX program requires 120 credit hours, including 39 major course credits, 15 credits of entertainment “selectives,” and 52 credits in other departmental requirements. The required 14 elective credits allow students to focus in different areas of animation, games, VFX, and more. Core course examples for the program include Visual Effects Introduction; Introduction to Computer Animation; Geometric Modeling for Visualization and Communication; Animation Foundations; Sketching for Visualization and Communication; Production for Computer Animation; and Computer Graphics Professional Practices II. 

Graduates of Purdue Polytechnic’s CGT BS in Animation and Visual Effects are prepared to pursue positions in the animation and games industries, among others. Some graduates have gone on to work for studios such as Disney and DreamWorks, while others go on to teach, launch their own independent studios or freelance businesses, or apply to the CGT MS program. 

The CGT MS at Purdue Polytechnic Institute serves close to 100 students. Primary focus areas include Computer Animation; Information Visualization; Games; and UX Design. This highly flexible, interdisciplinary program provides opportunities to create a customized a plan of study or take coursework across other Purdue graduate programs. Thesis and non-thesis options are available. 

The Computer Animation focus for the CGT MS covers the entire digital animation process. The program also explores visual effects, games, and virtual reality. Course examples include Animation History, Technology and Technique; Visual Intelligence and Perception; Current Topics in 3D Animation; Seminar in Computer Graphics Technology; The Art and Technology of Computer Animation; and The Development of Graphics in Technology. Elective requirements allow students to explore other areas of interest. 

The culminating experience for the non-thesis CGT MS program at Purdue University is the Animation Capstone (Production). The non-thesis CGT MS culminates with the Animation Thesis Research project. Graduates of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute CGT MS program are prepared to pursue leadership roles across industries. Examples include Animation Director, Lead Technical Artist, Game Developer, Art Director, Senior Simulation and Visualization Specialist, Lead Animator, and Technical Director.

CGT MS program alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as Google, Salesforce, DreamWorks, and Deloitte. Some CGT MS graduates go on to apply for admission to Purdue Polytechnic’s Technology PhD program. 

Also housed in the Department of Computer Graphics Technology, the PhD supports study and research in computer animation, game studies, human-computer interaction (HCI), digital enterprise systems, user experience (UX) design, and data visualization. Graduates of the Technology PhD program at Purdue University go on to pursue teaching, research, management, and other leadership roles in industries such as film, technology, advertising, education, science, medicine, government, aviation, aerospace, engineering, information systems, and artificial intelligence (AI).

Purdue University is Indiana’s only land-grant university. Established in 1869, the school serves approximately 60,240 students, making it the second largest university in the state. Approximately 11% of all students at Purdue are enrolled at Purdue Polytechnic Institute. More than 400 programs are provided across 11 academic colleges and schools—including Purdue Polytechnic. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accredits Purdue University. 

Indiana University Indianapolis (IU Indianapolis) is the only R1 university in Indianapolis. Located in downtown Indianapolis, the school is considered a leader in STEM, healthcare, arts and humanities, artificial intelligence, data science, and business. The university’s Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering houses many of these programs. This includes a customizable Media Arts and Sciences BS (MAS BS).  

For students seeking a shorter program, the school has minors in 3D Graphics and Animation; Game Design and Development; and Studio Art and Technology. A Virtual Production certificate is also available. Minors are 15 credit hours and the certificate is 18 credit hours.  

All degree, minor, and certificate programs provide access to access to state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, and other facilities, and courses that explore topics such as animation, special effects, augmented and virtual reality (VR/AR), 3D modeling, and production. Students also benefit from hands-on classroom projects.  

The customizable MAS BS allows students focus on one or more specializations. Options include 3D Graphics and Animation; Video Production and Sound Design; Game Design and Development; Digital Storytelling; and Web Design and Development.  

Across all specializations, students have access to many animation courses. For example, Digital Storytelling students may take courses such as 2D Animation; Directing Visual Narratives; Stop Motion Animation; Interactive Design; and Advanced 2D Animation. The 3D Graphics and Animation focus includes courses such as include 3D Animation; Compositing and Visual Effects; 3D Character Development; Motion Graphics; and Advanced 3D Character Animation. 

Game Design and Development students may take courses such as 2D Animation; Character Design and Animation; Virtual World Design and Development; Storyboarding for Multimedia; and Digital Painting. Students in all specializations may also participate in the study abroad experience in Greece.  

The core for the MAS BS program also requires the Multimedia Project Development, Career Planning, and Portfolio Development courses. To graduate, students will have the option to complete the Capstone Project Internship, Mentorship, or Bridge to Industry course. Final projects culminate with an exhibition.  

Graduates of the MAS BS program at Indiana University Indianapolis are prepared to pursue positions in the film/TV/animation, games, multimedia, and advertising industries, well as emerging areas for animators such as science, medical, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), engineering, and legal.  

Sample job titles include 2D and 3D Animator, Game Artist, Film Production Artist, Technical Animator, Creative Director, Forensics Animator, AR/VR Designer, Motion Graphics Artist, Medical Animator, and Game Artist.  

Indiana University Indianapolis alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as Rockstar Games, Pixar, Blizzard Entertainment, Digital Domain, Electronic Arts (EA), Sony Pictures ImageWorks, Gearbox Software, Owlchemy Labs, Half Full Nelson, HTC (Taipei, Taiwan), Vision3 Interactive, and Pipeworks Studios.  

Indiana University Indianapolis launched as an independent campus on July 1, 2024 after Indiana University and Purdue University (formerly IUPUI) separated. The school provides more than 375 degrees and certificates to over 25,000 students from all 20 states, Puerto Rico, and 142 countries. Programs at IU Indianapolis are provided across two colleges and 16 schools. Indiana University Indianapolis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 

The Division of Creative Arts at University of Saint Francis (USF) is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Housed in the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business, the division provides 11 programs leading to an AA, AS, BA, BS, or BFA. Among these programs is an Animation BA that fuses coursework that focuses on animation, storytelling, art, and the production pipeline with project management studies and collaborative projects. Students will also gain hands-on experience in USF’s animation and TV studios, as well as local advertising agencies, game design studios, television studios, and film studios through the Division of Creative Arts Internship Program. 

Other Animation BA highlights include coveted meetings with professionals at major studios such as DreamWorks, Pixar, Blizzard Entertainment, Disney, and Warner Bros; 24-hour access to the state-of-the-art USF Animation Lab and Television Studio; webinars and workshops led by accomplished industry professionals; trips to the Creative Talent Network Animation Expo in Burbank, California; Courses are taught by professional animators, writers, producers, and artists; and participation in campus clubs such as BigThink Animation and the Film Club.

The Animation BA at University of Saint Francis requires 120 credit hours of study, including 69 in the major and up to 15 elective credits. Major coursework explores 2D and 3D animation, motion graphics, and concept art. Concept Art, and Motion Graphics. Course examples include Character Puppeting; 2D Composition; Traditional Animation; Contemporary Art; Visual Storytelling Techniques; 3D Production; Lighting and Rendering; Film as Art and Communication; Motion Graphics; 3D Composition; Audio for Film, Video and Animation; and Art from Caves to Cathedrals. 

The program also requires successful completion of the Animation Studio Experience course, where students will collaborate on a project pipeline and create several industry-ready projects. 

Graduates of the Animation BA program at University of Saint Francis are prepared to pursue roles in areas such as entertainment, game design, live performance special effects, and advertising. 

In addition to working on award-winning productions such as Moana and Frozen, USF alumni have been hired at major studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney Animation, DreamWorks, Warner Bros. Animation, and Blizzard Entertainment. 

University of Saint Francis was founded in 1890 by the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. The school serves approximately 1,765 students enrolled in nearly 80 programs leading to a certificate or an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. University of Saint Francis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).