| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rutgers University, Camden | Camden |
| 2 | Fairleigh Dickinson University | Madison |
| 3 | New Jersey Institute of Technology | Newark |
| 4 | Montclair State University | Montclair |
| 5 | William Paterson University | Wayne |
Our 2025 ranking -our fourteenth annual- of the top animation school programs in New Jersey. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
Rutgers University Camden (Rutgers-Camden) is an R2 research institution with a 91% employment rate (or graduate school) within six months of graduation. The school also houses the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS), which comprises three schools, 16 departments, more than 30 undergraduate majors, and over 15 graduate programs. This makes the FAS the largest academic unit at Rutgers-Camden.
Within the FAS is the Department of Visual, Media, and Performing Arts, which provides two paths to study animation including the Art BA and the Visual Art BFA. Both programs allow students to concentrate in Animation. Art BA students can also add the Animation or Digital Arts minor. Both minor options require 18 credit hours of study. Course examples across programs include Drawing; Computer Animation; Storyboard and Character Design; and Classical Animation.
Students in all programs benefit from internships; the Visiting Artists Program; seminars; access to separate studios for drawing and painting; a photography lab and digital photography studio; symposiums and presentations; the ZoomOnArt Lecture Series; the Student Works Gallery; and Stedman Gallery programming.
Students also benefit from the Electronic Arts Studios at Rutgers-Camden, which provides access to two renovated graphic design studios, two animation labs, and a post-production lab outfitted with networked computers, post-production units, 2D/3D and editing software, and more.
The Art BA and Visual Art BFA programs require 120 total credits. The Art BA requires 48 credits in the major and 72 in general education. The BFA requires 81 credits in the major and 39 in general education. The Animation concentration is 21 credit hours for the BA and 33 credit hours for the BFA. Examples of courses across programs include Computer Animation I-II; Character Rigging; Animation Storyboard; AI-Generated Animation; 3D Design in VR; and Character Animation.
BA students will also take Classical Animation, with access to electives such as Video Game Design (in collaboration with the Digital Studies Center); 3D Modeling and Printing; and Independent Study. BFA students will take other courses such as 2D Character Design; 3D Interaction Design in Virtual Reality; and Digital Effects. For the concentration, both BA and BFA students are required to complete the Animation Production course and the Animation Capstone I-II courses.
Graduates of the Art BA and Visual Art BFA programs at Rutgers University Camden are prepared to pursue graduate studies or positions in industries such as entertainment, game design, and advertising. Rutgers-Camden BA and BFA alumni have been hired at studios such as Walt Disney, Warner Bros., Digital Domain, Ubisoft, Psyop, and BBC Studios.
Rutgers University Camden is part of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (Rutgers). Founded in 1766, Rutgers University is the eighth oldest university in the U.S. and New Jersey’s land-grant university. Serving approximately 67,620 students, the school employs 27,450 faculty and staff across campuses and locations in all 21 New Jersey counties.
Rutgers-Camden was founded as South Jersey Law School and the College of South Jersey, which joined Rutgers in 1926. Serving approximately 5,965 students today, Rutgers University Camden provides nearly 70 degree programs across four colleges and schools. The school is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
In 1965 Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) opened Wroxton College in England, making it the first American University to own a campus overseas. Today, students at FDU's England campus live and study in the 17th-century Jacobean mansion known as Wroxton Abbey. Students in all programs at Farleigh Dickinson have the opportunity to study for a full semester or an abbreviated summer session. This includes students enrolled in FDU's School of Art, which houses the Animation Program.
Available pathways within the Animation Program include the Film and Animation BA; the Animation MA and MFA; the combined Film and Animation BA/Animation MA; and the combined Film and Animation BA/Animation MFA. The FDU Animation Program also provides 2D Animation, 3D Animation, and 3D Video Game Animation minors.
Across programs, students may participate in FDU’s internship program, which provides the opportunity to gain valuable experience working with major studios and networks such as DreamWorks, MTV, NBCUniversal, Viacom, Nickelodeon, and ABC. Other program benefits include small class sizes; immersive hands-on projects; workshops; and access the newly renovated Animation Lab;
The Film and Animation BA has three concentration options including 2D Animation, 3D Animation, and Video Game Animation. Students in the MA, MFA, and combined degree programs may focus in 3D Character Animation, Video Games, or Visual Effects. Course and elective examples across programs include Character Animation Using CAT; Motion Graphics with After Effects; Vector Animation with Animate CC; Tradigital Animation; 3D Particle Animation and Effects; ZBrush Digital Sculpting; Logo and Product Animation; Creative Imagery with Photoshop; Storytelling; 2D Animation with Toon Boom; 3D Computer Animation; Motion Tracking; Compositing in After Effects; and Storyboarding.
The Animation programs at Fairleigh Dickinson University culminate with a thesis completed across two or three courses, depending on the degree. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers across the entertainment and game design industries. Program alumni are often hired by the companies they have interned with as well as others such as Tristar Pictures, Warner Bros. Games, ABC, Marvel Comics, Sony Pictures Imageworks, CBS Skyline Entertainment, Verizon, IBM, Psyop, Whisper Films, Tribe Pictures, High Five Games, and Pixel Light Digital Media.
Established in 1942, Fairleigh Dickinson University was the first comprehensive university in the world to require distance learning of its undergraduates. Serving more than 12,000 students, FDU is also the largest private university in New Jersey. Fairleigh Dickinson University provides more than 100 degrees and disciplines across two New Jersey campuses (Madison and Teaneck), the England campus, and a campus in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
FDU also has extension sites across the state of New Jersey, along with partner institutions and study abroad opportunities around the world. Fairleigh Dickinson University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is home to the J. Robert and Barbara A. Hillier College of Architecture and Design (HCAD). Founded in 1973, the HCAD houses the School of Art and Design, which provides several paths to study animation. At the undergraduate level, the school has a Digital Design BA. Graduate students can earn a Digital Design MFA (MFADD) or Digital Design MS (MSDD). An online Animation Essentials Certificate is also available.
Across all NJIT Digital Design and Animation programs, students have opportunities to display their work through curated exhibits and competitions, and the annual ACM/SIGGRAPH Conference. Students can also participate in the internship and study abroad programs.
The Animation Essentials Certificate is a stand-alone graduate-level program that provides a foundation in digital animation. Course examples include Character and Facial Modeling for Animation; Environment Design; Visual Storytelling and Storyboarding; Acting for Animators; and Digital Audio. Upon completion of the 12 credit-hour certificate program, students are prepared to pursue entry-level positions in the Digital Animation industry.
The Digital Design BA at NJIT has two tracks: Interactive Media/Production, and Entertainment. Both tracks begin with the foundation year. During this time, students will have 24/7 access to the Animation Lab; Cintiq-equipped Art Teaching Lab; Physical Computing Lab (used for robotic and sensor-based product design); and digital and traditional fabrication facilities.
After the foundation year, students will select either track. Both tracks require completion of Digital Design Studio I-IV; HumanFactors/Ergonomics; Collaborative Design Studio; Simulated Environments; History of Games; Information Design Techniques; and General Physics I with Lab. Other courses across tracks include 2D Design; Color and Composition; Acting Fundamentals for Animators; Visual and Special Effects in Movies; Educational Software Design; Digital Sound and Music; and Digital Marketing. The program culminates with a final project.
The Digital Design MFA and Digital Design MS programs at NJIT are low-residency programs that require 60-75 credits, and 30-45 credits, respectively. The MFA is a terminal degree. Both programs provide opportunities to focus in animation through any one of the following three concentration areas: Animation Essentials; Game Design and Interactivity Essentials; or UI/UX Essentials.
Course examples across programs include Animation, and UI/UX; Visual Storytelling; History of Games; Character Modeling; Digital Audio; Game Design and Interactivity; Acting for Animators; and Environment Design. The programs culminate with a final project and presentation.
Graduates of the Digital Design BA, MFA, and MS programs at New Jersey Institute of Technology are prepared to pursue advanced roles across the entertainment, games, and advertising industries, among others. Program alumni have interned with or been hired at places such as NBCUniversal, Grafx Co, Method Studios, ETS, vfx+design, High 5 Games, 1stAvenueMachine, NTropic, SWDTech Games, SUSPECT, and Tripwire Interactive.
New Jersey Institute of Technology was established in 1881 as Newark Technical School. This public, polytechnic university serves approximately 13,000 students enrolled in more than 125 degree programs across six specialized schools. New Jersey Institute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA); the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB); and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Montclair State University (Montclair State) is home to the College of the Arts (CART). A Designated Center of Excellence, the college houses the School of Communication and Media (SCM), and the John J. Cali School of Music. Both schools provide benefits such as participation on Montclair State’s student media organizations such as the News Lab and Hawk+; classroom instruction from accomplished industry professionals; access to state-of-the-art facilities and studios; partnerships with Sony and NBCU Academy; and internship opportunities with companies and organizations in nearby New York City.
The School of Communication and Media also provides an Animation and Visual Effects (VFX) BFA that provides the opportunity to live and work in Los Angeles through the Semester in LA Residency Program. This includes a 6-12 credit paid internship. Other program benefits include immersive courses; 20-23 free elective credits; and the option to add a minor or certificate to enhance the degree.
The Animation and VFX BFA program at Montclair State explores 3D character creation, animation production, environment design, simulated effects, and prop design for animated films, live-action films, interactive media, television, and video games. Course examples include Introduction to Animation and VFX; Lighting and Rendering; 2D Animation and VFX; 3D Modeling I; History of Animation and VFX; Digital Color and Light Concepts; Visual Effects Compositing I; VFX for Film; and Game Development I.
In addition to free electives, BFA students will select 12 credit hours of topical electives and three credit hours of SCM electives. Elective examples include Experimental Animation; Visual Effects Compositing II-III; Animated Illustration; Immersive Storytelling; Modeling II; 3D Animation and Rigging; Collaborative Production; Animated Development and Pitch Bible; and Game Development II.
The Animation and VFX BFA program at Montclair State culminates with the Industry Prep and Thesis I-II courses. Graduates are prepared to enter the entertainment, games, and advertising industries, among others. Montclair State University alumni have been hired at places such as Saatchi & Saatchi, Instagram, MSNBC, the MLB Network, CBS, VSA Partners, CDGNYC, and Fanbrandz.
Montclair State University was founded in 1908 as the New Jersey State Normal School at Montclair. The school serves approximately 23,545 students. On July 1, 2023 Bloomfield College officially became Bloomfield College of Montclair State University, adding an additional campus and 1,100+ students to the school. Programs include 300 majors, minors, concentrations, and certificates across 13 colleges and schools. Montclair State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
William Paterson University (WP or WPU) is home to the College of the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS), which houses nine departments, 21 majors, five undergraduate certificate programs, and eight graduate programs. Serving more than 3,000 students, the CAHSS is the largest college at WPU.
Across all CAHSS departments and programs, students benefit from career preparation opportunities such as ASPIRE workshops and internships; attendance at the multidisciplinary Context’s Conference, which hosts renowned artists and scholars; and access to state-of-the-art facilities in the Ben Shahn Center for the Visual Arts and the Power Arts Center. These facilities house two animation labs, a computer graphics lab, a sound engineering room, two graphic design labs, and fully equipped studios for drawing, digital 3D production, painting, photography, and more.
The Department of Art in the CAHSS provides programs in animation, graphic design, film and video, game design, advertising, web design, photography, graphic design, and textile design. All programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Specific program options for aspiring animators include the Art BFA with an Animation and Multimedia concentration; Digital Animation or Game Design (animated video gaming) undergraduate certificates; and the Visual Arts MFA with an Animation Track. The certificates consists of four courses (12 credit hours) that can be applied to the BFA or MFA programs; or the Art Studio BA.
Digital Animation Certificate courses include 3D Computer Graphics I – Modeling; Dynamic Figure Drawing; 3D Computer Graphics II - Introduction to Animation; and Cell Animation I. The Game Design certificate allows students to select between courses such as 3D Character Animation; Computer Paint and 3D Art; Advanced Character Animation; Motion Graphics I; and Advanced Cell Animation.
The Art/Animation and Multimedia BFA program begins with the Studio Foundation requirement, which consists of 18 credit hours. This includes Drawing Studio; Contemporary Color Theory and Application; Digital Methods; 2D Design; Life Drawing; and 3D Design. Students must pass the Foundation Portfolio Review in order to advance to the major.
All majors will complete the Art History requirement to include Modern Art I-II; Caves to Cathedrals; and Renaissance to Revolution. Students may then select coursework from several elective requirement areas. Course examples across areas include Computer Paint and 2D Art; Cell Animation I; 3D Computer Graphics I – Modeling; Advanced Cell Animation; Storyboarding and Production Design; 3D Character Animation; Filmmaking I-Voice and Vision; Screenwriting; Interactive Multimedia; and Advanced Audio Production.
Additional technology intensive courses are required, with students selecting from more than 50 options. Examples include Computer Information Technology; Software Engineering; Computer Science I-II; Motion Analysis; Electronic Music I-II; Computer Cartography; and Multicamera TV Studio 1.
The Art/Animation and Multimedia BFA program at William Paterson University culminates with the Art BFA Capstone completed across the BFA Studio Senior Seminar and Senior Thesis Project courses. A complete portfolio presentation in the student’s studio area of specialization is required for successful completion of the Thesis course.
Graduates are prepared to pursue a graduate program such as the Visual Arts/Animation MFA or positions at animation studios, advertising agencies, film studios, multimedia companies, game design studios, graphic design firms, and television studios.
The Visual Arts/Animation MFA is a terminal degree program that allows students to select courses from computer art and animation, graphic design, photography, digital sculpture, painting, and more. Experiences such as seminars, guest lectures, collaborative projects, visits to artist studios, and internships complement MFA coursework. Course examples for the program include Cell Animation Projects; Studio Practice Critique I-II; Projects in 2D Digital Arts; Advanced 3D Computer Modeling; Compositing, Edit, Motion; Projects in Storyboarding and Design; and Advanced Character Animation Projects.
The Visual Arts/Animation MFA at William Paterson University culminates with the Graduate Thesis completed across two courses consisting of research, writing, and the execution of a visual arts project and exhibition. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles across areas such as entertainment, arts, design, games, advertising, education, and research.
Across all WPU programs, alumni have been hired at places such as Disney, NBC, Perception, Fox News, and iHeart Media.
William Paterson University was founded in 1855, making it the third oldest public institution in the State of New Jersey. The school began as the Paterson City Normal School with a focus on professional training of teachers for the growing free public school system. Today, WP serves approximately 10,050 students enrolled in nearly 150 different degree and certificate programs across five colleges. William Paterson University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
