Top 50 Illustration Schools and Colleges in the U.S. - 2022 College Rankings

School of Visual Arts (SVA) has options for students looking to develop specific illustration skills through a single course or workshop, or artists seeking an illustration degree. Examples of single courses and workshops include Building Fictional Worlds, Children’s Book Illustration, Digital Coloring for Illustrators and Comic Artists, Illustration and Visual Storytelling: Art and Industry, and RISO Printing: Zines and Small Publishing. Courses and workshops can last anywhere from a few days to several months, and some options be completed entirely online.

The SVA Illustration Department has a BFA Program that features opportunities to gain hands-on experience through internships and other experiential learning programs, access to faculty and mentors who are professionals in the industry, and a junior thesis and senior portfolio curriculum that allow students to develop a body of work that best reflects who they are as Illustrators.

Consisting of 120 credit hours, the Illustration BFA Program consists of coursework in drawing and illustration, writing, painting, visual computing, storytelling, comics, books and zines, digital coloring, animation, and motion. Elective studio courses allow students to study stop-motion animation, motion graphics, and website design, among others. SVA students have had the opportunity to work for The New Yorker and The Village Voice, and compete in competitions—all before graduating from the program. Graduates of the program go on to successful careers in industries that utilize illustration

For Illustrators seeking a career in Cartooning, a BFA is available through the Cartooning Department. Often called “the Harvard of Cartooning,” this 120 credit hour program consists of 72 credit hours of studio art courses and elective options that allow students to study everything from animation to web design. Cartooning BFA students will explore traditional and emerging styles such as classic adventure comics, Amerimanga (East-West hybrid), and experimental graphic novels.

Courses for the SVA Cartooning Program are taught by instructors who have worked on projects such as The Dark Knight Returns, Pee Wee’s Playhouse, and Daredevil. Course examples for the program include Principles of Cartooning I-II, Digital Collage Illustration: Telling Stories in Layers, Drawing with Ink for Illustrators, Storytelling I-II, History of Cartooning, and Illustration in Motion. Upon completion of the SVA Cartooning BFA Program, students will graduate with a Cartooning Portfolio of their best work.

Offered in the MFA Illustration as Visual Essay Department (est. 1984), the graduate program accepts just 20 students per year. Program features include a classroom-based curriculum, guest lecturers, speakers, and mentors, internship opportunities, personal workspaces with 24/7 access, and participation in gallery shows and exhibits. Students in all SVA programs have access to the school’s active study abroad program as well as SVA offices in Seoul, South Korea, and Shanghai, China, where students can network, collaborate, and attend workshops and lectures. 

In addition to coursework and projects in computer illustration, creative writing, storytelling, and visual essay, SVA MFA students will have the opportunity to audit classes in film, animation, and fine arts. MFA students will complete a number of seminars and workshops, an Illustration Business Book Camp, and the Thesis Project: Visual Essay course. Graduates of have worked on major productions such as Sleepy Hollow and for brands such as Prada and Van’s.

The School of Visual Arts (SVA) is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). This private institution launched in 1947 as the Cartoonists and Illustrators School (C&I School). When it opened, C&I had just three teachers and 35 students. Today, SVA employs more than 1,000 faculty serving 7,000 students enrolled in 31 programs leading to a BFA, MA, MFA, MA/MAT or MPS.

Ringling College of Art and Design (RCAD) has an Illustration Program that features a rigorous studio-based curriculum with a liberal arts foundation, networking opportunities with visiting artists from major studios such as DreamWorks, internships at Disney, Hasbro, Pixar, and others, and participation in real-world projects with local businesses.

Leading to a BFA in Illustration with a General Illustration or Visual Development Emphasis, the program also provides access to painting and drawing studios, two Cintiq labs exclusively for illustration, and three additional Cintiq labs with 24-hour access. Every RCAD Illustration student receives a laptop fully equipped with the latest Adobe Creative Suite software.

Students in the General Illustration Emphasis will study illustration as it relates to digital and traditional media, 2D and 3D, techniques used in the industry, and the fundamentals of anatomy, color theory, and composition. The Visual Development Emphasis explores illustration as it relates to games, comics, live-action and animated productions for TV, advertising, graphic novels, film, publishing, toy design, and themed entertainment.

Course examples across emphasis areas include Development of Art and Ideas, Illustration I-II, Illustration Media, Advanced Illustration, Digital Illustration, 2D Design, Figure I-IV, 3D Design for Illustration, Visual Development I-IV, Film & Narrative, and Professional Practices.

To enhance either emphasis area, RCAD offers 10 Minor options consisting of 15 credit hours taken outside the BFA degree program. Examples include Business of Art + Design, Creative Writing, Film Studies, Graphic Design, Realistic Painting, and Visual Development.

In addition to the internship program, Illustration BFA students have the opportunity to participate in RCAD’s semester-long exchange program or a four to five week summer program in Florence, Italy at Studio Arts Center International (SACI), and the student-run annual illustration show known as Illest of the Ill.

Graduates of the Illustration BFA Program at Ringling College of Art and Design have been hired at major studios and companies such as Cartoon Network, Walt Disney, Apple, Google, Zynga, American Greetings, Marvel Comics, Hallmark, Riot Games, Lucasfilm, United Airlines, EA Games, and GM, among others. 

Ringling College of Art and Design is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Co-founded in 1931 by entrepreneur, circus showman and promoter John Ringling, and Dr. Ludd M. Spivey, president of Southern College (now Florida Southern College), the school had just 75 students and 111 course offerings when it opened. Today, RCAD serves more than 1,600 students enrolled in BFA degrees in eleven disciplines and BA degrees in two.

The Illustration Department at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) has an Illustration Program with BFA and MFA options. The Illustration BFA enrolls 300 students, making it the largest major at RISD. The program requires first-year studios in Experimental and Foundation Studies and a major course of study in a specific Design or Fine Arts discipline beginning in the sophomore year. Program features include access to RISD Museum; printmaking studios and labs such as the Co-Works Research Lab, Nature lab, and Color Lab; Gelman Student Gallery; Woods-Gerry Gallery; ISB Gallery; and Fleet Library at RISD.

Collectively, these academic resources provide access to lectures, concerts, screenings and visiting artists and art directors; state-of-the art equipment and software such as Maya, After Effects, and InDesign; more than 90,000 works of art; and 150,000+ circulating books; a mix of student and curriculum related exhibitions throughout the academic year; and industry leaders from across the U.S.  who offer feedback through annual portfolio reviews.

Illustration BFA students will participate in a number of workshops such as ZBrush Sculpting and Illustration, Pigments & Emulsions, and Maya Basics. The BFA  program culminates with a portfolio and public exhibition.

The lllustration MFA at Rhode Island School of Design is a new, 60-credit advanced studio program that consists of seminars, art and design courses, and elective coursework from any department. Studio examples include Perception and the Art of Communication, Social Engagement and Agency, and Narrative Structures. Seminars include Contemporary Visual Narrative and Isms and Illustration—Critical Theory and Illustration History, among others. Environmental Aesthetics, Visible Cities, and Exhibiting Research are just a few elective options. The RISD Illustration MFA Program culminates with the Graduate Thesis. 

Graduates of the Illustration Programs at Rhode Island School of Design have launched their own studios, they run their own freelance businesses, and they work for major studios and networks such as DreamWorks, HBO, Harmonix, Fox, Pixar and PBS.

Rhode Island School of Design is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Founded in 1877, RISD is one of the first art and design schools in the U.S. This private, nonprofit college serves more than 2,000 undergraduates and nearly 550 graduate students enrolled in more than 45 degree programs, concentrations, and certificate programs.

Maryland Institute College of Art has an Illustration Program with BFA, MA, and MFA options. The Illustration BFA has Studio Minors in Book Arts, Sequential Art, and Illustration Studio. The Books Arts Studio Minor is an interdisciplinary focus area that requires 15 credit hours of study. Required courses include Paper-Making and Book Structure, and Letterpress: Chapbooks and Broadsides or Artist’s Book.

Book Arts students may choose any courses from the available list to reach 15 credit hours. Examples include Typography I-II, Book Illustration, Mixed Media Book, Illustrative Print, Advanced Book Illustration, and Visual Journalism. An optional internship is available as well.

Open to all majors, the 15 credit hour Sequential Art Studio Minor prepares students for careers in digital or printed comics. Course examples for the program include Sequential Art, Studio Remix: Storyboards, Advanced Sequential Art, Storytelling and Mythmaking, Motion Graphics, and Advanced Digital Illustration. A major benefit of the program is MICA’s relationships with the Museum of Comics and Cartoon Arts, Toronto Comics Art Festival, Baltimore Comic-Con, and Small Press Expo.

In the Illustration Studio Minor at MICA, students will explore illustration for books, and magazines, newspapers; advertisements, posters and flyers; comics and graphic novels; institutional publications, the web, and graphics for music. The program also explores preproduction, including concept art and character design for animation, film, television, and video games.

Graduates of the MICA Illustration Program have been hired for internships, full-time positions, and freelance assignments at DC Comics, Pixar, The New York Times, Google, LucasArts Entertainment, Apple, DreamWorks Animation, Whole Foods Market, Anthropologie, Johns Hopkins Institute of Nanobiology, and National Geographic, among others. Some Illustration graduates go on to enroll in MICA’s graduate Illustration Programs.   

Specific graduate options include the MA in Illustration and MFA in Illustration Practice. The MA is a one-year program for practicing Illustrators seeking career advancement or individuals interested in launching a career in illustration. Consisting of workshops, studios, lectures, and open electives, the 30 credit hour MA Program features an open-plan, state-of-the-art studio environment, courses taught by leaders in the field, and collaborative projects with the Center for Design Thinking and graduate students from other departments at MICA.

The Illustration MA Program at MICA culminates with a capstone portfolio project, exhibition, and review panel.

The Illustration Practice MFA is a two-year, 60 credit hour program that features opportunities to collaborate with Dolphin Press & Print at MICA, the Rockwell Center for American Visual Studies, the Modern Graphics History Library at Washington University, and the Center for Design Thinking at MICA. Students in this program will also collaborate with industry professionals and fellow students, and they will have opportunities to communicate with artists-in-residence and visiting critics. The MICA Illustration Practice MFA culminates with the MFA Thesis.

Graduates of the Illustration MA and MFA Programs at MICA are Freelance Illustrators, Exhibiting Artists, Entrepreneurs, Curators and Gallery Managers, Designers, Educators, Art Directors, and more.

Maryland Institute College of Art is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Founded in 1826, MICA is nation’s oldest independent, continuously degree-granting college of art and design. The school serves 2,090 students from 45 states and 53 foreign countries. Forty percent are fine arts majors and 60% are design & media arts majors. Programs at Maryland Institute College of Art lead to a BFA, MA, MFA, or MPS degree.

The School of Art, Media, & Technology (AMT) at The New School’s Parsons School of Design (The New School Parsons or Parsons School of Design) provides the opportunity to create an interdisciplinary path of study around any major. For students in the Illustration BFA Program, examples include adding a Minor in Comics and Graphic Narrative, Journalism and Design, or Data Visualization. A BA/BFA Dual Degree option is also an option.

Other program features include study abroad opportunities in London, Paris, and Florence; Collaboration Studio courses and other collaborative projects with peers; internships with Parsons partners such as Nickelodeon, AIGA, Moleskine, Toon Books, The New York Times, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Red Cross, Brooklyn Industries, and Eyebeam; access to The New School libraries, studios, computer labs, archives, and the state-of-the-art Making Center; and participation in events such as MoCCA Fest, Comic Arts Brooklyn, and Pictoplasma.

The AMT Illustration Program also provides access to New York–based professional organizations such as the Society of Illustrators and American Illustration, which helps students connect with professional illustrators, artists, and publishers.

Consisting of 120 credit hours, the Parsons School of Design Illustration BFA Program begins with Parsons’ first year curriculum, which explores 2D and 3D processes, digital design, drawing, and more.

Course examples include Integrative Studio 1-2, Drawing/Imaging, Time, Objects as History, Sustainable Systems, and Space/Materiality. The second year consists of illustration studios and seminars, followed by two years of upper division coursework, studios, and seminars, advanced research, and professional practices. The program, which culminates with a Thesis, takes four years to complete, full-time.

The New School Parsons is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Founded in 1896 as The Chase School, Parsons serves more than 10,000 students enrolled 100+ degree and diploma programs.

Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) houses the School of Art and Design, which has 17 creative majors in design, art and fashion, and customizable minors consisting of five courses in one of dozens of available disciplines. The FIT Illustration Program has two undergraduate options: the AAS and BFA. The AAS is a pathway to the BFA Program.

Both programs feature mentoring workshops led by art directors and professional illustrators,  participation in student art exhibitions, and access to the Society of Illustrators—the industry's top professional organization. BFA may take advantage of the FIT Internship Program.

Across programs, course examples include Illustration Rendering Techniques, Advanced Visual Story Studio, Digital Illustration Techniques, Visual Storytelling for Evolving Media, Stylistic Illustration, Illustration Workshop, Advanced Color Rendering, and the Business of Illustration. The FIT Illustration BFA culminates with the Illustration Portfolio Thesis, that will be presented before faculty and peers.

Graduates of the Illustration BFA Program are prepared immediate entry into the field or a graduate program, such as the 60 credit hour Illustration MFA offered in FIT’s School of Graduate Studies. This program features real-world projects, guest lecturers, field trips to studios in LA and New York, and internship opportunities. Course examples for the program include Integrating Digital with Traditional Media, Creative Writing for Illustrators, Illustration in Motion, Sequential Storytelling, Printmaking and Artist’s Books, Studio Workshop, and Survey of Digital Illustration.

In the final two semesters of the FIT Graduate Illustration Program, students will take Business Practices and Self Promotion Strategies and Visual Thesis Studio. The program culminates with a Visual Thesis Exhibition at a gallery. Past projects have included children’s books, graphic novels, interactive digital media, installations, animation, murals, and concept art.

FIT Illustration alumni have been hired at ad agencies such as Young & Rubicam, BBDO Worldwide, Ogilvy, and DDB, and at corporations such as Hallmark and American Greetings. Program alumni work at magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue, and at entertainment companies such as Warner Brothers, DreamWorks Pictures, Disney, and LucasArts Entertainment.

Part of the State University of New York (SUNY) System, Fashion Institute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). The school opened in 1944 with just 100 students, with classes taking place across two floors in the High School of Needle Trades. Today the FIT campus sits on 1.5 NYC blocks, and serves nearly 8,000 students.

Programs at FIT are offered across five academic divisions and range from Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing to Toy Design. Many FIT programs are the first of their kind in the country.

Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) is home to an Illustration Department that houses an Illustration BFA Program that focuses on narrative techniques and character development. Courses for the program are taught by professional freelance illustrators or artists that own their own illustration studios and firms. Course examples for the program include Media Techniques, Experimental Illustration Techniques, Book Arts, Virtual 3D Illustration, Advanced Drawing Projects for Illustrators, Word and Image, Professional Illustration, Independent Study, Technical Illustration, Black and White Illustration, and Professional Freelance Studio.

Three major, but optional, components of the MassArt Illustration BFA Program are the Course Assistantship, Independent Study, and the Internship. The Course Assistantship allows qualified sophomores, juniors, and seniors to assist a faculty member with set up and assisting with demonstrations and critiques during class. Independent Study is available to juniors and seniors Juniors who have a specific studio project that cannot be accomplished through coursework. This gives students an opportunity to work with a faculty member on an independent basis.

The Internship Program is open to all upper level students. Three studio elective credits may be earned for participating in a supervised professional experience at a local or national company or studio.

In the final year of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design Illustration BFA Program students will complete the following courses: Thesis Project I: Research, Thesis Project II: Imagery, Senior Illustration, and Illustration Portfolio. Final student portfolios will be presented to professionals from the advertising, editorial, publishing, institutional, and corporate markets.

Graduates of the Art and Design Programs at Massachusetts College of Art and Design have been hired at Hasbro, Whitney Museum of American Art, Sony Pictures Imageworks, New Balance, Boston Children's Museum, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), PUMA, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Time Inc., Discovery Channel, and Attleboro Art Museum.

Massachusetts College of Art and Design is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Established in 1873 as Massachusetts Normal School, MassArt provides more than 40 degree, minor, and certificate program options to 1,635 undergraduate students, 115 graduate students, and nearly 150 continuing education students. Noncredit students and others at Massachusetts College of Art and Design have access to 100 classes and workshops in all areas of art and design.

The Illustration Program at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) takes place in a collaborative environment where students work with peers from all majors. Leading to a BFA, the Illustration Program consists of core required courses, foundation studies, studio electives, and humanities and sciences electives. Studio electives provide hands-on time as well as the opportunity to focus in an area of interest within illustration.

Course examples include Tools of the trade, Concepts and Metaphors, Digital Illustration, Illustration and Products, Illustrated Notebook, Editorial Illustration, Professional Practice, Children’s Book, Illustration Topics, and Advanced Illustration Seminar. In the Professional Practice course, students will have opportunities to work on projects such as promotional materials and art for an advertising campaign, illustrations for a textbook, or a poster for a nonprofit client.

Minor options provide additional opportunities to specialize in an area of interest. Minor options include Advertising, Print Paper Book, Animation, Creative writing, Graphic Design, and Entrepreneurship, among others. Students may also complete the Illustration Foundations Certificate before applying to any BFA or Minor program. 

All MCAD Illustration students may complete an internship, which provides an opportunity for students to gain valuable on-the-job skills and practical experience in a particular career area. The MCAD Study Abroad Program provides additional opportunities fort experiential learning. In partnership with the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) Exchange Program, the MCAD Study Abroad Program provides experiences at AICAD schools in the United Kingdom, Israel, Canada, China, and Singapore.

The culminating experience for the Illustration BFA Program is the Senior Project course (Capstone). Worth six credit hours, the project allows students to complete a series of illustrations for their portfolio, or undertake a research project, or address an in-depth illustration problem. Capstone Projects may also focus on the advancement of a particular strength or style.

Graduates of the Art and Design Programs at Minneapolis College of Art and Design enjoy a 93% employment rate. Nearly 60% of all graduates find positions in their respective fields. MCAD alumni are Illustrators for the American Harry Potter Books and others, for Advertising Agencies, Comic Books, the Court System, Newspapers and Magazines, Fashion Designers, and in the Medical and Technical fields.

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). MCAD is also affiliated with the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD). Established in 1886, Minneapolis College of Art and Design serves more than 800 students enrolled in 14 undergraduate majors leading to a BFA or BS, three programs leading to an MA, including the new MA in Creative Leadership, one MFA program, and five professional development certificate programs.

The Illustration Department at the College for Creative Studies (CCS) has an Illustration Program with BFA and Minor options. The 15 credit hour Minor requires includes nine credits of illustration electives. All courses will be selected from the Illustration BFA Program.

The College for Creative Studies Illustration BFA requires completion of 126-127 credit hours including 78 in studio areas, 42-43 in general studies courses, and six in general elective courses. BFA students may add the Art Education Certification curriculum, which requires an additional 27 credit hours. In addition to major coursework, BFA students will take courses in the Foundation Department in the first year of the program where they will study 2D and 3D design, digital tools, and drawing. Students in all CCS majors must also take courses in the Liberal Arts Department. Full-time students can expect to complete six academic hours and 24 studio hours each week.

One of two major components of the Illustration BFA Program is the opportunity to select a Pathway. Each Pathway allows students to create a focused portfolio for studio-based or freelance careers in Illustration. With the Entrepreneurial Studies Concentration, students who choose a pathway will also be prepared to launch their own studios. Pathway options include Comics and Sequential, Gallery Artist, Fashion, Lifestyle, and Licensing, Publishing, and Visual Development.

The second major component of the Illustration BFA Program is the Internship Experience. Upper division students have the opportunity to work some of the top local and global brands, corporations, studios, and museums. Examples include Cartoon Network, Converse, Disney Consumer Products, Hasbro, HoMedics, Insomniac Games, Anthropologie, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Diane von Furstenberg, Fisher Price, Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners, Moosejaw, Reader’s Digest, Museum of Fine Art, Grand Rapids Symphony, WJBK Fox 2 News, the Museum of American Illustration, and Spark Communications.

Graduates of the CCS Illustration BFA Program go on to establish successful careers with industry leaders such as Disney, Nike, The Washington Post, Cartoon Network, Ford, Adidas, ESPN, Blizzard Entertainment, Converse, and The New York Times.

The College for Creative Studies is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Founded in 1906 as the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts, CCS serves more than 1,400 students enrolled in more than 20 art and design programs leading to a BFA, MA, or MFA.

Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) has an Illustration BFA Program that is one of only a few BFA degrees of its kind in the United States. Designed for artists who have an interest in art and science, the CIA BFA in Life Sciences Illustration explores topics such as botanical, biological, and zoological sciences, and animation, illustration, and information design. The program also covers areas such as research methods, serious game design, animation, sound design, interactive design, and professional development.

Course examples for the program include Cellular + Molecular Illustration, Life Sciences Illustration: Advanced Problems, Concepts, + Media, Serious Game Design: Theory + Applications, Educational Media Installation, Veterinary Illustration, 3D Animation, Digital Color: Style + Representation in Science, Line: Information Visualization, Surgical Illustration & Media, Gross Anatomy, Principles of Biology I-II, Digital Biomedical Illustration (EP), Life Sciences Illustration: Forensic Imaging/Modeling, Anatomy for the Artist, Applied Portfolio and Professional Strategies, Sound Design Fundamentals, and Natural Science + Zoological Illustration (EP). An internship is also part of the program.

In the Applied Portfolio and Professional Strategies course, students will gain insight into art practice and leadership in the business environment. They will develop applied portfolios in online and offline media, demo reels, and print-related materials relating to professional packages (business cards, resumes, cover letters, etc.). Life Sciences Illustration students will also learn about copyrights, budgeting, contracts, marketing, and presentations as they relate to commercial-based work and freelance careers.

The Life Sciences Illustration BFA Program at Cleveland Institute of Art culminates with the BFA Thesis and Exhibition. Graduates have been hired for positions such as Biomedical Illustrator, 3D Animation Artist/Designer, Illustrator, Forensics Illustrator, and Art Director.

For students interested in a traditional illustration program, CIA has an Illustration BFA Program that focuses on learning by doing. Students will work on a variety of real-world projects with CIA partners and clients—all before graduation. Students in the CIA Illustration BFA will learn how to work with traditional materials and techniques, such as acrylics, oils, and inks, collage, and pencils as well as industry software such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. The skills learned in the program will prepare student for positions in advertising, animation, publishing, entertainment, gaming, and comics, among others.

Course examples for the program include Picture Book Illustration, Layout Rendering Techniques, Illustration for Publication, Character Design + Development, Professional Standards in Illustration, Graphic Novels + Sequential Art, Illustration: Advanced Illustration Studio Projects, Illustration I-II, Community Projects, and Visual Concepts in Illustration. Students will also complete an internship.

The Illustration BFA Program at Cleveland Institute of Art culminates with the BFA Thesis and Exhibition.

Students in all CIA Illustration Programs will have their own studio space, along with access to Integrated Media Environment Facilities, lighting and shooting spaces, a sound recording studio, and the fabrication studios. Other program benefits include visiting artists, networking opportunities with employers, illustrators, and designers who are invited to CIA each year, small-group seminars, professional writing courses, and travel to professional art studios, advertising agencies, and others.

Cleveland Institute of Art is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Chartered in 1882 as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women, this independent, not-for-profit college serves around 600 students enrolled in 13 majors in  entertainment arts, design, fine arts, and crafts.

The College of the Arts at California State University Fullerton (Cal State Fullerton, CSU Fullerton or CSUF) houses the Department of Visual Arts—home to the Illustration Program. Degree options include a BFA, MA, and MFA in Art with a Concentration in Illustration. All programs feature internship opportunities, workshops and seminars, study abroad experiences, visiting artists, and access to state-of-the-art production studios, labs, and equipment. 

Across programs, students will take courses such as 2D and 3D Design, Writing in the Visual Arts, Special Studies in Illustration, Cartooning and Caricature, Elements of Sequential Art, Digital Narrative Illustration, Graphic Design, 3D Computer Animation, Art History, and Independent Study.

The BFA program culminates with the BFA Capstone Project, which may include works in animation, games, VR, visual effects, exhibitions, and others. The MA Program requires a Project and Thesis (P/T) to graduate. The MA P/T consists of the development and presentation of a creative project in the concentration beyond regularly offered coursework. The MFA program culminates with a one person art exhibit (MFA Project Exhibition).

Graduates of the Art Programs at Cal State Fullerton have worked with or been hired by major companies and studios such as Cartoon Network, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Lucasfilm Ltd. and The Walt Disney Company, among others.

California State University, Fullerton is Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Founded in 1957, Cal State Fullerton is part of the 23 campus California State University (CSU) System. The school serves more than 41,000 students enrolled in more than 110 degree programs across eight academic colleges.

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is home to the School of Arts (VCUarts), which serves more than 3,000 students across 16 departments. More than 25 degree options and minors are available, with five offered in the Department of Communication Arts. With a focus in Narrative Illustration and Entertainment Design, all programs in the Communication Arts Department provide opportunities to study Illustration.

Department of Communication Arts students will explore traditional and mixed-media illustration, comics and graphic novels, observational drawing, scientific illustration, concept design, digital image making, and storyboarding. Students will complete the Art Foundation Program (AFO) in the first year of all pathways, and they will take courses such as Digital Drawing, Game Design, Theory and Practice, Drawing Studies: The Figure Observed, 3D Modeling for Concept Design, The Figure in Illustration Basic Human Anatomy, Scientific Illustration, Color Theory, Imagery for Science Fiction and Fantasy, Environmental Science, and Imagery for Children. VCUarts students may also apply for an internship and they have the option to study abroad in Florence, Italy.

Program options include a BFA in Communication Arts with the option to create a custom Concentration in Illustration or other related area, a Communication Arts BFA with a Scientific Illustration Concentration, a Minor in Scientific Illustration, and a BFA and Minor in Visual Effects (VFX).

Graduates of the VCUarts alumni are Editorial illustrators, Graphic Novelists, Web Illustrators, Interactive Media Designers, Comic Artists, Art Directors, Digital Animator, Scientific Illustrators, Children’s book Illustrators, VFX Artists, Game Designers, Concept Artists, Character and Creature Designers, Storyboard Artists, 3D Modelers and Animators, and Fine Artists.

Virginia Commonwealth University accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Founded in 1838 as the medical department of Hampden-Sydney College, this urban, public research university serves 28,919 students enrolled in more than 200 programs across 15+ colleges, school, and centers.

Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD) has an Illustration Program that leads to a BFA. A major component of the program is MIAD’s Illustration Seminar where students can network through workshops led by industry professionals and alumni. Internships, semester-long study abroad opportunities, and portfolio development courses are part of the program as well as access to MIAD’s new Illustration studios and classrooms and the Emerging Technology Center.

The Illustration BFA Program explores traditional and digital illustration, visual communication, design, and art direction. Course examples Illustration I-IV, Research, Process and Connection, Fabrication, Illustration Seminar I-II, Visual Language, Critical and Creative Forms, Illustration Media, Digital 4D, Computer Studio, Typography, Patterns in Nature, Senior Writing Seminar, and Professional Practice for Illustrators. Students may add a Minor to enhance the degree. Popular Minor options include Book Arts, Advertising, Digital Media Production, Copywriting, Arts Management, Business, and Writing.

The Illustration Program at Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design culminates with the Illustration Thesis Project, Portfolio, and MIAD Exhibition. Students are required to be actively involved in the overall preparation of the general MIAD Thesis Exhibition including signage, gallery monitoring, lighting crew, painting crew, etc.

Graduates of the MIAD Illustration BFA Program are prepared to launch their own studios and freelance businesses, or pursue positions in advertising, publishing, animation, fashion, editorial, exhibit design, graphic design, game design, new media, comics, architecture, storyboard art, medical illustration, forensic illustration, children’s book illustration, textile design, and technical illustration.

Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD) is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The school is also a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD)—a consortium of 42 top non-profit, independent colleges of art and design in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1974, MIAD is Wisconsin’s only four-year, private college of visual art and design. The school serves 900 degree-seeking students, 600 pre-college students, and 250 outreach/special programs students. MIAD offers seven majors and tracks leading to BFA and 13 programs leading to a Minor.

University of Pennsylvania (Penn) and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) offer a Coordinated BFA Program that combines fine arts training at PAFA and with Penn’s liberal arts curriculum. Students in the PAFA/Penn BFA will take 90 credits of studio art courses across five concentrations at PAFA during their freshman, sophomore, and junior years. During this time, students will have opportunities to study Illustration through required coursework, studios, and electives.

In the third year of the PAFA/Penn BFA, students are assigned their own private studio. In the final year of the PAFA/Penn BFA, students will enroll full-time to complete the liberal arts curriculum at Penn, where they gain access to the school’s Fischer Fine Arts Library, Van Pelt Library, and talks, exhibits, lectures, and performances on Penn’s campus.

The PAFA/Penn BFA is a competitive program. Students who are not selected for the program may enroll in the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts four-year BFA Program. Like PAFA/Penn students, Penn BFA students will gain access to private studios—in the fourth year of the program. Studios are accessible 24/7. Students will have the opportunity to invite faculty and Artists from the PAFA Visiting Artist Program to their studios to critique of their work as they prepare for the Annual Student Exhibition at PAFA. The Exhibition allows students to organize, install, present, and sell their work in the PAFA museum galleries.

The PAFA BFA Program begins with the first-year foundation experience, where students will study traditional and contemporary art-forms. In the second and third years, students will complete a combination of liberal arts and studio classes. Students will also collaborate with peers in shared spaces in a group studio. Students can choose an area of study such as Illustration, Printmaking, Drawing, Painting, Animation or Sculpture. Additional program features include access to digital labs and workshops, lectures, and demonstrations, and hands-on critiques—throughout the program.

Led by the Illustration Department at PAFA, the Illustration students can expect to take courses such as Illustration Methods, Digital Print & Web Design, History of Illustration, Narrative and Sequential Drawing, Narrative Projects, Letter Press and Book Arts, Digital Imaging, Illustration I-II, Visual Narration, and Business Practices of Art. All Programs require completion of a Thesis, the Illustration Projects course, and the Portfolio course.

Graduates of the PAFA/Penn BFA and the PAFA BFA are prepared to launch careers in Book and Magazine Illustration, Animation, Poster and Storyboard Art, Graphic Novels, and Medical Illustration, among others.

University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) Founded in 1740, the University of Pennsylvania serves more than 28,000 students enrolled in more than 400 programs in four undergraduate and 12 graduate schools. Since 1929, Penn has partnered with Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA).

Founded in 1805, PAFA is the first art school and museum in the United States. This private, non-profit school serves several hundred students enrolled in BFA, MFA, and certificate programs. PAFA is accredited through the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). PAFA is also member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) and The Common Application.

Academy of Art University (Academy of Art) houses the School of Illustration, which has programs leading to a Certificate, AA, BFA, MA or MFA. Degree programs can be completed entirely online, and the Illustration Certificate is offered onsite. Students in all programs have access to drawing rooms, a live model drawing studio, drawing workshops, and computer labs equipped with digital workstations, new media technology, and software.

Other School of Illustration features include the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy, illustration internships, guest speakers, and opportunities to collaborate in the classroom with faculty and peers, and outside of the classroom with professional designers and artists. All School of Illustration students also have the opportunity to work with WRiTE BRAiN BOOKS, which produces illustrated, textless books designed to help kid’s self-author their own books.

Across programs, students will take courses such as Digital Media: Illustrative Imaging, Perspective, Clothed Figure Drawing, Writing for Picture Books, Perspective for Characters & Environment, Visual Development, Vector illustration & Motion, Children’s Book Illustration, Situation & Environment, Editorial illustration, 150 Years of American Illustration, Concept, Technique and Illustration, Graphic Novel/Comic Book, The Rendered Figure, Writing the Short Story, Digital Painting, History of Comics: American Comics, and Graduate Seminar in Europe.

The Academy of Art Illustration Program also features coursework that helps students prepare to market their work or launch their own studios or freelance businesses. Examples include Surface Design and Licensing, Professional Practices for Illustrators, Advanced Art Licensing & Portfolio Building, Portfolio Preparation and Self Promotion, Designing Careers, Blogging: Content Creation & Promotion, and Collaborative Project: The Agency.

Graduates of the Illustration Programs at Academy of Art University have been hired at Marvel Comics, Penguin Publishing Group, The Atlantic, Chronicle Books, Wired, National Geographic, and The New York Times, among others.

Academy of Art University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). This family-owned university serves more than 7,000 students, making it one of the nation’s largest private art and design schools. Divided into 22 schools, Academy of Art University offers more than 129 degree programs in 40+ areas of study. Programs lead to the AA, BA, BFA, BS, B. Arch, MAT, MA, MFA and M. Arch degrees.

The Illustration Program at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) has Illustration and Illustrative Design options leading to a BFA. The Illustration BFA Program has Concentrations in Children’s Books and Sequential Art. An Emphasis in Concept Art is also available. BFA Program features include small class sizes, access to state-of-the-art facilities and software, collaboration with professional Illustrators, focused one-on-one instruction, and self-promotion and portfolio development courses.

Graduates of the RMCAD Illustration BFA Program are prepared for careers in Editorial Illustration, Comic Books and Graphic Novels, Concept Art for Games & Animations, Product Design & Licensing, Children’s Book Illustration, and even Technical & Medical Illustration.

Illustrative Design BFA explores storytelling, communication design problems, sustainable practice, design, typography, digital media, and portfolio development. Students in this program enjoy small class sizes, hands-on training, a combination of both online and on-campus coursework, personalized instruction, and portfolio development. Classroom tools include Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and After Effects.

Graduates of RMCAD’s Illustrative Design BFA Program are prepared positions such as Illustrator, Art Director, Package Designer, Graphic Designer, Motion Designer, Typographer, and Creative Director.

Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). The school is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Launched in 1963 as Rocky Mountain School of Art, RMCAD serves more than 1,000 students enrolled in more than a dozen degree and certificate programs.

The Illustration Program at Columbia College Chicago (Columbia) has BA and BFA pathways that explore both traditional and digital illustration, visual storytelling, and business (freelance, salaried, and contract). Students in both programs will develop skills through hands-on client-focused projects. Courses will expose students to cartooning, digital illustration, drawing, typography, figure drawing, and painting. And the mandatory internship offers the chance to obtain real work experience at an advertising agency, design studio or art gallery.

The BFA Program is a professionally focused degree that requires advanced coursework, with few elective options. The BA allows students to add a Minor or Double Major. Minor examples include Animation, Motion Graphics, Game Art, Journalism, Creative Writing, and Graphic Design. Second major examples include Graphic Design, Computer Animation, and Game Art.

Course examples across programs include Illustration Studio I-III, Illustration: Materials & Techniques, Survey of Typography, Cartooning, Figure Drawing, Drawing the Graphic Novel, Digital Illustration, Freelance Illustration, Special issues in Illustration, Visual Culture, Children’s Book Illustration, Design Lab, Concept Art, and Design Thinking. All Illustration students will develop a professional portfolio to graduate as the culminating experience for the programs.

The BA and BFA Illustration Programs at Columbia prepare students for positions in industries such as Advertising, Book and Magazine Publishing, Entertainment/Film, Fashion, and Product Packaging.

Examples of career paths for graduates of the Illustration Programs at Columbia College Chicago include animation, film and television, advertising, corporate literature (brochures, magazines, flyers, letterhead, ad artwork), game art, book and magazine publishing, and branding and packaging, among others.

Columbia College Visual Arts alumni have worked with and for Walt Disney Animation Studios, The New Yorker, the Institute of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, WBEZ Chicago, American Express, VICE Media, House of Vans, Chronicle Books, HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and Goose Island Beer Co., TimeOut Magazine, and Juxtapoz Art & Culture Magazine, among others.

Columbia College Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Founded in 1890 as the Columbia School of Oratory, Columbia serves 7,000 students enrolled in more than 150 majors, minors, and graduate programs. Study areas include Communication and Writing, Media and Digital, Music and Sound, and Business Management.

The College of Art and Design at Rochester Institute of Technology houses the School of Art, which has Illustration programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. All programs feature small class sizes of no more than 16 students; access to RIT facilities such as Studio 96, the Illustration Studio, and Witmeyer Mac Lab; multidisciplinary projects; lectures and demos led by 15+ visiting artists each year; cooperative education and internships with top companies; international experiences; and networking opportunities through RIT’s industry partnerships.

Students in all programs will also have the opportunity to exhibit their work in one of RIT's gallery spaces and participate in Creative Industry Day where they can interview with company representatives for permanent positions and co-op opportunities.

Specific program options for Illustrators include a BFA in Illustration and BFA and MFA degrees in Medical Illustration. The MFA in Medical Illustration is one of only five programs of its kind in North America and the only program in the northeast.

The Illustration BFA has an 81% employment rate, the Medical Illustration has an 86% employment rate, and the Medical Illustration MFA has a 100% employment rate. Graduates of the Illustration BFA Program work for ad agencies, in corporate art departments, at publishing companies, and in the animation, film, and game industries.

Medical Illustration BFA graduates hold positions such as 2D Medical Animator, Medical Editorial Illustrator, Medical Web Designer, Information Graphics Illustrator, Forensics Illustrator, Medical Interactive/Interface Designer, Ophthalmologic Illustrator, Prosthesis Designer/Anaplastologist, Medical Book/Texts Illustrator, Medical Legal Illustrator/Litigation Support Specialist, and Exhibitor.

Graduates of the Medical Illustration MFA Program at Rochester Institute of Technology often take on leadership roles in Computer Modeling, Medical and Legal Illustration, Animation, and Information Graphics.

Rochester Institute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Dating back to 1829, RIT serves more than 19,000 students, making it one of the largest private universities in the U.S. With additional campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo, Rochester Institute of technology offers more than 200 academic programs across 11 colleges and institutes.

The Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication at California State University-Northridge (CSUN or CSU Northridge) houses the Department of Art, which has an Art BA Program, and MA and MFA options in Visual Arts. All programs offer an optional Concentration in Illustration. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the CSUN Department of Art features opportunities for overseas studies, internships, club events and guest speakers, portfolio reviews, exhibitions, and the opportunity to join the CSUN Illustration Society and other CSUN organizations.

The CSUN Art BA combines liberal arts studies with art and design coursework. Students will take courses such as Drawing I, World Arts: Asia, Illustration Materials and Techniques, Beginning Two-Dimensional Design, Illustration I-III, Beginning Three-Dimensional Design, Digital Illustration, History of Contemporary Art, Core Art Studio, and Senior Projects and Lab.

The CSU Northridge Visual Arts MA is a 30 unit program that can be completed in one, one-and-a-half, or two years depending on the student’s course load. Course examples for the program include Art Analysis and Criticism, Studio Problems: Illustration, History and Philosophy of Art, and Advanced Studio Problems: Illustration. The Visual Arts MA Program culminates with the Graduate Project, which consists of the Spring Group Exhibition and/or Performance of the students work.

The CSUN Visual Arts MFA is a terminal degree. This means, it is the highest degree awarded in the field. Consisting of 60 units of study, the program can be completed in two or three years depending on the student’s course load. All students will have access to a private, on-campus studio and residence status. Course examples for the program include MFA Seminar, Studio Problems or Advanced Studio Problems in Illustration, Video/Digital Art, Drawing, or Graphic Design, Art Analysis and Criticism, and Graduate Directed Research.

Students in the CSUN Visual Arts MFA Program have the opportunity to develop skills in other disciplines through electives outside the Concentration area. The MFA program culminates with the Graduate Project.

Graduates of the Art and Visual Arts Programs at California State University Northridge are prepared to pursue careers in all areas of Art and Design, including Illustration.

California State University Northridge is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Founded in 1958 and serving more than 38,800 students, CSU Northridge is one of the largest universities in the U.S. and one of the youngest in the 23 campus California State University System. This liberal arts school comprises eight academic colleges, The Tseng College, and the University Library. Programs include bachelor’s degrees in 65 disciplines, master’s degrees in 74 fields, three doctorates, and 17 teaching credential programs.

University of Arizona (UArizona or UA) houses the College of Fine Arts, home to the School of Art, which has BFA and MFA degrees in Studio Art with an Illustration + Design Emphasis (I+D).

Students in all School of Art programs have access to studio spaces, the Center for Creative Photography, computer labs with Wacom Cintiq Touch screens and animation stations, the Learning Games Initiative Research Archive, a digital imaging lab with large format printing, mounting and other services, the University of Arizona Museum of Art, letterpress and photopolymer platemaking equipment, metal and wood type collections, an extensive book art collection through the University Libraries, binding equipment, darkrooms, ceramics labs, wood and metal shops, and the sculpture foundry.

Other School of Art features include team projects with local clients, internships, study abroad experiences, field trips, and the opportunity to join the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) student chapter, the Book Art Collective, or the College Book Arts Association.

The Studio Art BFA requires 125 units, including 42 in upper division coursework and 24 units of upper division coursework in the I+D Emphasis. Students will graduate from the program with a professional portfolio. The Studio Art MFA is a 60 credit hour program including 33 units in I+D Studio Art courses. Students in this program will participate in interdisciplinary, graphic design and illustration courses and seminars, independent studies and workshops, and studio critiques with visiting artists and alumni. The MFA program at UArizona culminates with the MFA Thesis and Project.

Graduates of the Studio Art I+D Programs at University of Arizona are prepares for careers in advertising, animation, television, and film, book publishing, game art and design, children’s books, graphic novels, comic books, magazine publishing, and editorial, among others.

The University of Arizona has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1917. Established in 1885, the school opened as Arizona’s first university. Serving close to 49,500 students, UArizona has more than 250 majors at the undergraduate level, and graduate programs in more than 150 areas of study. Programs at the University of Arizona are housed in 20 colleges, each with its own schools and departments.

Texas State University (Texas State) houses the College of Fine Arts and Communication, home to the School of Art and Design, which has a Studio BFA Program with a Specialization in Drawing. This 120 credit hour interdisciplinary program emphasizes experimentation and allows students to study various areas of Illustration and other creative disciplines. Course examples for the program Character Development for Illustration, Drawing I-V, Color Theory, Digital Illustration, Editorial Illustration, Graphic Novels and Zines, Illustration Techniques and Materials, Drawing Special Problems, Digitally Handmade for Artists and Designers, and Watercolor I-II.

A major component of the Studio BFA Program is the Summer Program in Italy, which consists of the 4000-level course Disegno a Firenze: Drawing in Florence. Throughout this experience, students will focus on drawing from various subjects in and around Florence. Other program features include the Art and Design Lecture Series, workshops, access to more than 400 student organizations such as AIGA Texas State, Design for American, and the National Art Education Association, and access to Texas State Galleries—more than 3,000 square feet of space for individual and combined exhibitions. 

The Texas State Studio BFA Program with a Specialization in Drawing culminates with the Drawing Thesis, completed across two courses (Drawing VI: Thesis I and Drawing VII: Thesis II), the BFA Portfolio and BFA Thesis Exhibition. Graduates of the program are prepared to seek careers in all industries and positions that require drawing and illustration skills.

Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Texas State University is the only university in Texas to have graduated a U.S. President—Lyndon B. Johnson. Founded in 1899 as Southwest Texas State Normal School , Texas State serves more than 38,000 students enrolled in more than 200 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs across nine academic colleges.

Watkins College of Art at Belmont University has a studio-based Illustration Program that leads to a BFA. The program, which consists of the BELL Core (Belmont’s General Education Core), explores the illustration process, traditional and digital media, visual storytelling, graphic design and typography, technical and conceptual development, service learning, and professional practices. The program is also multidisciplinary, allowing students to develop projects and portfolios in areas such as Advertising Illustration, Character Design & Development, Illustration Design, Art Licensing & Surface Design, Editorial Illustration, and Book Illustration & Sequential Art.

Other Watkins BFA Program features include access to fully equipped, state-of-the-art computer, drawing, and printmaking labs, study abroad experiences in places such as Italy, Japan, China, Spain, Hong Kong, China, Greece, Ireland, and England, faculty and guest exhibits, artist workshops, the Belmont USA program, which offers semester-long programs in New York City, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C., and up to two internships. Watkins students have gained experience at Warner Bros., The Buntin Group, Prosper Press, Advent, Vanderbilt University Creative Services, and Anderson Design Group, among others.

The Illustration BFA Program at Watkins College of Art culminates with the Senior Project and Professional Portfolio of the student’s best work. Projects will be presented at the Watkins Senior Exhibition.

Graduates of the Illustration BFA Program at Watkins College of Art at Belmont University are prepared to pursue positions such as Comic Book Illustrator, Fine Art Illustrator, Children’s Book Illustrator, Courtroom Illustrator or Sketch Artist, Graphic Novel Illustrator, Medical Illustrator, Storyboard Artist for Film and Animation, Game Artist, Animation Illustrator, Forensic Animator, Product Illustrator, Fashion Illustrator, and Editorial Illustrator.

Watkins College of Art at Belmont University, formerly Watkins College of Art, was established in 1885. Serving around 200 students, the school merged with Belmont University in 2020. Watkins College of Art at Belmont University is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The school offers BFA degrees in Art Education, Studio Art, Illustration, Photography, Design Communications (graphic design) and Experiential Design’ BA degrees in Art, Photography, and Art History; Minors in Art History, Design Communications, Painting, Photography and Studio Art; and one MFA in Visual Arts.

Serving close to 7,100 students, Belmont University opened in 1890 as Belmont College for Young Women. The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The School of Fine Arts at University of Connecticut (UConn) houses the Department of Art & Art History. Fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the Department has four degree programs leading to a BA or BFA, seven concentrations, and two education abroad programs. The Art BA and Art BFA Programs offer an Illustration/Animation Concentration that explores traditional techniques, and new and emerging technologies.

Consisting of 120 credit hours, the BA and BFA Programs feature a project-based curriculum with collaborations and team projects, small class sizes, access to state-of-the art computer labs, exhibition spaces, and art-making studios, education abroad, and internship opportunities. Each year, UConn hosts an on-campus Internship Fair to secure internships. Many internships lead to full-time employment upon graduation. UConn students have interned at Disney, Connecticut Museum of Natural History, NASA, The Bronx Zoo, NBC Sports, GE, and the State Department of Education, among others.

The Illustration/Animation Concentration requires 30 credit hours. Course examples across programs include Life Drawing, Animation Fundamentals, Topics in Illustration, Studio Concepts, Introduction to Digital Media, Graphic Design: Process and Thinking, Illustration, Animation Fundamentals, Life Drawing II, and Going Pro (Professional Practices in Illustration and Animation).

The Art BA and BFA Programs at University of Connecticut culminate with the Senior Project course and participation in the Senior Show.

Most graduates of the UConn Illustration/Animation BA/BFA Programs are offered positions within six months of graduation. Program alumni have gone on to successful careers as Illustrators, Educators, Designers, Professional Artists, Curators, Photographers, and Arts Administrators, among others. Some program alumni have been accepted into MFA Programs at the Royal College of Art, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Yale University, Goldsmith's, University of London, and Virginia Commonwealth University, and Yale University.

University of Connecticut is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Founded in 1881, University of Connecticut began as Storrs Agricultural School with just three faculty members and 13 male students. Today, UConn’s more than 18,000 faculty and staff members serve nearly 32,700 students across the main campus at Storrs, and four regional campuses. Programs at University of Connecticut are offered across 14 colleges and schools, and include eight undergraduate degrees in 119 majors, 17 graduate degrees in 88 fields of study, and six professional degree programs across 14 colleges and schools.

The Illustration Program at Moore College of Art & Design (Moore or Moore College) consists of critiques, studio tours, workshops, and mentorship experiences with leading design professionals. Leading to a BFA, the program also provides access to computer labs installed with the latest industry software including Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Fireworks, and Photoshop.

A major component of all Moore College programs is the internship opportunity. Moore is the only art and design college that provides a $1,000 paid internship for every student. Many of these internships lead to offers for full-time employment.

Course examples for the Illustration BFA Program include Digital Imagemaking, Cultural Collisions and Transformations, Illustration Concepts and Practices, Writing Workshop, Digital Painting for Illustrators, Life Drawing for Illustrators, Business for Illustration, and Professional Development. Students may also take a number of studio and open electives to enhance the degree. In the final year of the program, students will complete the Senior Studio course and the Senior Thesis.

Graduates of the BFA Programs at Moore College of Art & Design enjoy a 100% job placement rate. Employers of Moore graduates include Penguin Publishing Group, Dynamite Entertainment, Smithsonian Institution, mock5design, and Bust Magazine, among others.

Moore College of Art & Design is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Founded in 1848, the school is the nation’s first and only historically all-women’s visual arts college. Moore College of Art & Design serves around 350 students, enrolled in nine BFA majors, 11 BFA minors, two MFA programs, one MA program, and nine 4+1 programs (BFA+MA).  

Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD) has a BFA Program with Illustration and Life Sciences and Pre-Medical Illustration options. A 15 credit-hour Illustration Minor is also available and consists of three Illustration electives, Introduction to Illustration, and Illustration Techniques. Across degree programs, Illustration students benefit from participation in the KCAD Illustration Society, summer travel/study experiences, and internships during the academic year and summer months. All students have access to KCAD galleries, labs, and the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA).

The KCAD Illustration BFA was established in the early 1960s. The program explores both traditional and emerging media, with 27 required semester hours of supportive studio courses and 39 credit hours of major studio courses. Course examples include Narrative Perspective, Design: Image, Rendering, Digital Illustration Painting, Illustration I-III, Advanced Inking, Natural Science Illustration, Graphic Design/Illustration, and Illustration Professional Practice. The KCAD Illustration BFA culminates with the completion of a portfolio of the student’s best work.

Graduates of the KCAD Illustration BFA program are prepared to pursue careers such Cartoonist, Storyboard Illustrator, Editorial Illustrator, Mural Designer, Art Director, Fashion Illustrator, and Freelance Illustrator.

The Life Science & Pre-Medical Illustration (Life Sci & Pre-Med Illustration) Program at KCAD combines general education courses with courses that explore medical illustration methods, computer-aided 3D design, medical terminology, drawing, computer animation, traditional media illustration and rendering. Courses for the professional, three-year BFA Program are delivered through KCAD, Ferris State University, Grand Rapids Community College, and Michigan State University. Course examples include Medical Illustration Methods I-III, Medical Illustration Animation, Making: Product, Illustration Digital Methods, Illustration Techniques, Dialogue & Personality, Graphic Design for Illustrators, and Medical Animation. The Life Sci & Pre-Med Illustration BFA Program culminates with Advanced Problems in Biomedical Art, the Capstone course.

Graduates of the KCAD Life Sci & Pre-Med Illustration BFA Program are prepared for advanced positions in the fields of Medical and Scientific Illustration. Some graduates go on to establish successful freelance careers, others go on to graduate study.

Ferris State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Established in 1884 and  located in Big Rapids, Michigan, the school serves 11,165 students enrolled in more than 190 programs across seven degree-granting colleges. Kendall College of Art and Design is one of the seven colleges within Ferris State University. Founded in 1928, and located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, KCAD serves more than 1,000 students enrolled in dozens of specialized undergraduate degree programs and several graduate and certificate programs.

As part of Ferris State University, Kendall College of Art and Design is accredited by the HLC. KCAD of Ferris State University is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).