| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond |
| 2 | Virginia State University | Petersburg |
| 3 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg |
Our 2025 ranking -our fourteenth annual- of the top animation school programs in Virginia. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is home to one of the nation’s top public graduate art schools. Known as VCUarts (School of the Arts), this collaborative school also has a branch campus in Doha, Qatar. In 1998, VCUarts Qatar became the first American college built in Doha’s Education City. Serving approximately 300 students, the school focuses on the liberal arts and sciences, with shared courses through VCUarts Richmond, as well as conferences, arts research, event programming, and semester exchange programs.
VCUarts Qatar employs around 82 faculty that provide six programs leading to a bachelor’s or master’s degree. The campus accepts just 10 exceptional juniors and seniors from the Kinetic Imaging (KI); Painting and Printmaking; Graphic Design; and Art History programs. Students in other programs may apply to VCUarts Qatar, with approval.
The Department of Kinetic Imaging in the School of the Arts is a top choice for students who are interested in animation, video, and sound for films, experimental video, and art-making. Programs lead to a BFA or MFA in Kinetic Imaging. An 18 credit-hour Animation minor is also available. This program features required courses such as History of Animated Film; Animation Practices; and Animation Studio.
The remaining courses come from elective options. Examples include Sequential Imaging; Lighting and Cinematography; 3D Computer Art; Writing and Directing for Screen; and Digital 3D Studio.
The Kinetic Imaging BFA program at VCUarts requires 121 credit hours of study completed over four years. The Kinetic Imaging MFA requires 60 credit hours. Both programs are multidisciplinary and explore areas such as animation, emerging art, video, sound, and virtual reality (VR). Students may also customize a focus area or create their own cross-disciplinary path through electives and other courses.
BFA students will begin their studies with the Art Foundation Program consisting of 20 credit hours. Foundation course examples include Drawing Studio; Survey of Art I-II; Time Studio; and Space Research. Examples of major course requirements include Animation Practices; Creative Code and Electronics; Sound Art; Concept and Development Studio; 3D Computer Art; and Video Practices.
Elective and other course examples include 3D Computer Animation; Motion Graphics; Topics in Animation; Live Coding; Animation Concepts; Virtual Interactive Worlds; Global Film Studies; Writing for Stage and/or Screen; Topics in Video Art; Sound Design; and Socially Engaged Media.
In addition to a flexible curriculum, VCUarts KI BFA students benefit from workshops, lectures, and performances by visiting artists; internship opportunities; and access to state-of-the-art studios, labs, computing workshops, and a motion capture space. The program culminates with the Research and Production I-II courses, with a focus on critical analysis and development of the final project with emphasis on implementation, execution, and presentation.
Graduates of the Kinetic Imaging BFA program at Virginia Commonwealth University are prepared to pursue titles such as 2D Animator, 3D Animator, Motion Graphics Artist, Director, Game Artist, Sound Designer, and Adverting Animator.
The studio-based Kinetic Imaging MFA accepts just eight students per academic year. This collaborative and immersive program explores animated arts, interactivity, coding, emerging media, sound art, mediated performance, and installation. Each semester, KI MFA students will complete a graduate seminar and graduate studio class with a focus on vigorous studio production. Elective options also help students meet their individual studio and research goals.
Other KI MFA features include 24/7 access to personal studios along with animation, video, and sound production spaces; visiting artists talks, including one-on-one studio visits with graduate students; and opportunities to teach in the undergraduate VCUarts Kinetic Imaging program.
The culminating experience for the KI MFA is the exhibition of the student’s best work at VCU’s Anderson Gallery. The program may be completed in two years, full-time.
Graduates of the Kinetic Imaging MFA program at Virginia Commonwealth University are prepared to pursue leadership roles in the entertainment industry, game design and development, and advertising; the technology sector; and in architecture, science, medicine, education, and research, among others.
Founded in 1838, Virginia Commonwealth University is a top 100 research university that serves approximately 28,830 students. With more than 26,000 employees at VCU and VCU Health System,
Virginia Commonwealth University is also Richmond, Virginia’s largest employer. The school provides more than 200 academic programs across 20 colleges, centers, and schools. Virginia Commonwealth University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Virginia State University (VSU or Virginia State) houses the Department of Art and Design. Within the department are eight concentrations (C) and minors (M) including Animation (C/M); Studio Arts (C/M); Graphic Design (C/M); Photography (M); and Art History (M). Concentrations lead to a BFA in Art and Design.
Across programs, students benefit from courses led by accomplished industry professionals; access to state-of-the-art production facilities and computer labs; immersive workshops; internship opportunities; and access to the Meredith Art Gallery for inspiration.
Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), all Art and Design options begin with the Communication, Organization, Realization, Expression (CORE) program. Over two years, students will complete foundation level courses such as Drawing I-II; Computers for Artists; Two-Dimensional Design - Color Theory; and Cognitive Development for the Artist before. Upon completion of the CORE program, students will advance to concentration and upper division coursework.
Course examples for the Animation concentration include Introduction to Animation; Animation Basics I-III; Electronic Animation; Animation I-II; Sound for Animation; and Animation Team. The Art and Design BFA/Animation program culminates with the Senior Animation Studio course, which focuses on the creation of a demo reel, resume, and portfolio. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in animated films, live-action filmmaking, game art and design, television production, advertising and marketing, and more. Graduates can also pursue an advanced degree or launch their own studios or freelance businesses.
Virginia State University was founded on March 6, 1882. One of the state’s two land-grant institutions, the school serves approximately 4,000 students enrolled in more than 50 degree and certificate programs across six colleges. Virginia State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The College of Architecture, Arts, and Design at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) is home to the School of Visual Arts (SOVA). Within the school are two paths to study animation including the Creative Technologies (CT) BFA and MFA. Both programs highlight hands-on learning through collaborative projects and participation in the Virginia Tech Internship Program.
CT students also benefit from courses led by accomplished industry professionals; seminars and exhibitions; visiting artist workshops; competitions; the SOVA Study Abroad Program, featuring three weeks in Europe; a dedicated studio space for BFA students in their senior year; and access to state-of-the-art production spaces, labs, and equipment.
Examples include the Digital Arts and Animation Lab (DAAS), which houses 21 Mac computers loaded with industry-standard software such as ZBrush, Adobe Suite, and Maya; ICAT Box, (CTBOX), which contains 18 PC computers and software such as Unity and Unreal Engine, tracking systems and VR headsets, and equipment for immersive and interactive media projects; a render system with 24/7 access; and the Creativity and Innovation District LLC Building, which houses studio classrooms and spaces for graduate critique events, screenings, and performances.
The Armory Art Gallery, located in Virginia Tech’s Armory Building, is an educational and outreach service that exhibits work by visiting artists, faculty, and BFA senior exhibitions.
The SOVA CT BFA is a 120 credit-hour program that explores animation, computer graphics, video games, video, and sound. All students will complete the programs Foundations Studio courses before moving into more advanced coursework. Foundations covers areas such as drawing, 2D, 3D, and 4D design, and contemporary art practices.
Course examples for the program include Introduction to Creative Technologies; New Media Theory; Topics in Computer Animation; 3D Computer Animation; Topics in New Media Art; Computer Animation Studio; and Topics in Digital Art and Design. The culminating experience for the SOVA CT BFA is the Senior Studio, completed across two courses and resulting in a professional animated production or other work.
The CT MFA at Virginia Tech is a cross-disciplinary, terminal degree program that explores digital and new media technologies. Students in this program have the option to select an emphasis area. Examples include Animation; Code-Enabled Art; Games; Video Art; Graphic Design; Virtual Environments; Sound Art; Drawing and Painting; 3D Imaging; and Web Design. All CT MFA students will complete a minimum of 60 graduate-level credit hours and present an MFA Thesis Project to graduate.
Graduates of the Virginia Tech Creative Technology programs are prepared to pursue advanced roles in the animation, film, and visual effects industries; game art, design, and development; motion graphics; virtual reality and augmented reality (VR/AR); production; user interface and user experience design (UI/UX); research; and education.
Virginia Tech alumni have been hired at places such as Walt Disney, Lockheed Martin, Amazon, Epic Games, Apple, The Pokemon Company International, Ogilvy, Google, Atomic Productions, Sprout Studios, Fjord, Sinclair Broadcast Group, DXA Studio, and Apex Systems.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University opened on October 1, 1872 as Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College. Today, Virginia Tech is one of the state’s two land-grant institutions and one of Virginia’s more than 35 public colleges and universities. The school serves more than 38,000 students enrolled in 280 degree programs across nine colleges and schools. Virginia Tech is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
