Common questions about community college animation programs asked by our readers:
Animation is one of the most popular art and design programs at hundreds of community colleges across the country. Community colleges may offer a certificate, diploma, or associate degree in animation, 3D animation, computer animation, and other related majors. Most community colleges in states with the highest employment levels for animators (California, Texas, New York, Georgia, and Florida) offer top programs. Good examples include Santa Monica College, Glendale Community College, Houston Community College, Georgia Piedmont Technical College, Suffolk County Community College, and Miami-Dade Technical College.
For the 2018-2019 school year, the reported tuition at public two-year schools was an average $3,660. For private community colleges, the Community College Review estimates that average tuition is around $15,460 per year.
Hundreds of community colleges across the U.S. offer animation programs. A large number of community college programs can be found in the top five states with the highest employment levels for animators. These include California, Texas, New York, Georgia, and Florida.
Community colleges offer many of the same majors for animators as four-year colleges offer. Community college programs lead to a certificate, diploma, or associate degree. However, as part of a trend toward community colleges conferring some bachelor’s degrees, many two-year colleges, including around 15 California community colleges, offer bachelor’s degrees. Community college students may earn a certificate, diploma, associate degree or bachelor’s degree in areas such as animation, computer animation, 3D animation, animation and visual effects, animation and film, character animation, and 3D animation and modeling, to name a few.
While most employers prefer to hire animators with a bachelor’s degree or higher, an associate degree in animation is usually enough for some entry-level positions. Animators with exceptional talent, plus an associate degree may even qualify for some higher-level positions.