Best Universities & Colleges for Animation 2026
If you love bringing stories to life through motion, color, and character, studying animation could be a great fit for you. Animation is a fast-growing field that blends creativity with technology, and today’s animation colleges and universitiesoffer a wide range of programs designed to prepare students for careers in film, television, video games, advertising, and digital media.
Whether you’re interested in 2D animation, 3D animation, motion graphics, visual effects, or character design, choosing the right animation school can make a big difference in your education and career path.
This guide breaks down what animation programs typically offer, how to choose between different animation schools, and highlights some of the best colleges for animation in the U.S. for 2026!
What Is an Animation Major?
An animation major focuses on visual storytelling through movement. Students learn how to create animated sequences using drawing, design, and industry-standard software, while also developing skills in storytelling, collaboration, and production workflows.
At most colleges with animation majors, coursework includes:
- Animation principles and techniques
- Storyboarding and character design
- Digital illustration and modeling
- Motion graphics and visual effects
- Portfolio development and professional projects
Most animation programs are studio-based, meaning students spend a significant amount of time creating work outside of class. Many animation majors report spending 15 to 25 hours per week on projects, critiques, and revisions. By graduation, students often leave with 10 to 15 polished portfolio pieces, not counting sketches or process work.
If all of that sounds enticing, then Animation might be the right major for you.
If you're not totally sure, though, you can take our Careers & Majors quiz to help you out!
Types of Animation Degree Programs
Are you questioning whether you need to gain a bachelor’s degree in this field? In that case, it is worth knowing that most studios won’t hire animators who don’t have a degree and a subsequent portfolio. Thanks to the large growth in the industry, there are a ton of colleges and universities offering animation programs. In general, they’ll all cover animation skills, as well as any software and tools needed in the field.
Animation programs can look different depending on the school and degree type. Common options include:
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Animation
A BFA is a highly focused, studio-intensive degree. These programs emphasize hands-on animation work, portfolio development, and creative exploration. In a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, your time will be split 60/40, with 60% of your time on liberal arts courses and 40% of your time in animation classes. As the inverse, BFA requires that students spend 60% of their time in major-related (in this case, Animation) courses and 40% in general liberal arts courses. Both have their merits and are worth investigating! BFAs are common at specialized animation schools and art colleges.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Animation
A BA in animation offers a broader academic experience, combining animation coursework with general education classes. This option can be a good fit if you want flexibility or plan to pair animation with another interest.
Animation Concentrations or Tracks
Some universities don’t offer a standalone animation major but include animation as a concentration within majors like film, digital media, game design, or graphic design. These programs can still provide strong preparation, especially at larger animation universities.
What if the Program Isn’t Called “Animation”?
Yeah, that feels concerning. In this field, sometimes institutions like to get fancy with naming, and some of the most highly-ranked programs in the field aren’t called Animation.
Take Ohio State University, for instance. In 2015, Animation Career Review named OHU’s program the number 1 place in the Midwest for Animation majors. Its “animation” program is technically a BFA in Art with an emphasis on Art and Technology.
The same can be said for Texas A&M, whose BS in Visualization was ranked #1 in Texas, #2 in the South, and #1 among public schools for animation by the Animation Career Review as recently as 2018.
Basically, if you see an institution you're interested in, don’t write them off immediately because the program's title isn’t “animation”—make a call. Email the admissions office. Ask questions!
What to Look for in Animation Colleges
Not all animation programs are the same. As you research colleges for animation, consider these factors:
Curriculum and Skills
Look for programs that teach both creative and technical skills, including animation fundamentals, storytelling, and current software used in the industry._____________________________________________________________
Facilities and Technology
Strong animation schools often have dedicated labs, studios, and access to professional tools that mirror real-world production environments. ___________________________________________
Internships and Career Support
At many leading animation colleges, 75% or more of students complete at least one internship before graduating. Schools with strong industry ties can help connect students to studios, agencies, and creative teams.
Portfolio Development
Your portfolio matters more than your GPA in many animation careers. The best animation colleges help students graduate with polished, industry-ready work. _______________________________
Alumni Outcomes
The animation field is growing rapidly! According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2023 the median annual pay for jobs within the special effects and animation field was $99,06. Between 2022 and 2032, the job outlook for these careers is projected to grow at 8%, 5% faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.
Many animation programs report that 70-90% of graduates find work in animation-related or creative fields within 6 to 12 months of graduation, though paths may include freelance or contract roles early on.
It's also smart to speak to current students or alumni to find out what it's like to be in the program. You can normally do these things when you visit or tour the school before applying.
Best Colleges & Universities for Animation
We’ve shared the basics upfront to get you thinking. Without further ado, here’s the list of the best universities and colleges for animation in 2026, recognized for strong programs, faculty, and student outcomes:
Brigham Young University
Degree: BFA in Animation
Brigham Young University’s BFA in Animation has a limited enrollment. Students are accepted into the pre-major, must fulfill the requirements, and apply at the end of 1st term Fall or Winter semesters. Once accepted, students have access to everything the BYU Center of Animation offers, both artistically and technologically, for the animation, live-action, special effects, and game industries.
California College of the Arts
Degree: BA in Animation
Designed to educate students on how to animate for both TV and film, the Animation program at the California College of the Arts teaches 2D animation, 3D animation, animation for video games, stop-motion animation, and more. CCA offers an open-lab environment where students can work on state-of-the-art equipment, including 24-inch Cintiq monitors, a Foley room, a sound studio, and more.
California Institute of the Arts
Degree BFA in Character Animation; BFA in Experimental Animation
The California Institute of the Arts offers two Animation BFAs, one in Character Animation and one in Experimental Animation. The first one, Character Animation, focuses on the art of storytelling and character performance. Working in both traditional and computer graphic (CG) animation environments, students in this intensive four-year program will develop a professional-caliber portfolio. The program in Experimental Animation is designed for innovative artists and will ask its students to develop aesthetically progressive concepts.
Cleveland Institute of Art
Degree: BFA in Animation
The Cleveland Institute of Art’s Animation Department is driven by the goal of producing professional content and puts an emphasis on storytelling. Students will take courses in 2D Animation and 3D Animation, as well as in Acting, Human and Animal Anatomy, and many more. All animation students work with a client, community partner, or intern before graduation.
Columbia College of Chicago
Degree: BFA and BA in both Traditional and Computer Animation; BA in Animation
Offering programs in both Traditional and Computer Animation, Columbia College of Chicago also offers both BA and BFA degree options. Whether you want to work in stop-motion and hand-drawn animation, 3D animation, or some combination of the two, Columbia has a program you’ll be interested in. Students can access several Animation Production Spaces, including a Cintiq Lab, Stop-Motion Labs, Camera Labs, and more.
DePaul University
Degree: BFA and BA in Animation
The College of Computing and Digital Media at DePaul University offers both a BA and a BFA in Animation. The BA program emphasizes the art of animation, creativity, and critical thinking within a broad liberal arts curriculum. The BFA gets more in-depth, providing a thorough foundation in the art of animation along with its history. Students will work in traditional as well as 3D computer animation and modeling. Students can opt to concentrate on Cinema Animation, Game Art, Storyboarding and Character Design, Motion Graphics, or 3D Animation.
Florida State University
Degree: BFA in Motion Picture Arts with an Animation and Digital Arts Concentration
Home to the College of Motion Picture Arts, Florida State University has a 3-year program and a 4-year degree focused on Animation and Digital Arts. Students learn the development and production of 3D Animation and visual effects in live-action filmmaking.
Laguna College of Art and Design, California
Degree: Animation dedicated to training exceptional storytellers
The BFA Program at Laguna College of Art and Design in California is designed to prepare students to become storytellers who understand the process of animation from start to finish. The college hosts the LCAD Animation Film Festival every year, showcasing the best student work from all levels.
Loyola Marymount University
Degree: BFA in Animation
Loyola Marymount University’s Animation program aims to help each student develop their own unique, personal artistic vision. LMU was the first school to build a motion-capture lab and teach methods used in James Cameron’s Avatar. In small classes, students will use state-of-the-art networked computer workstations to learn visual effects, stop-motion, experimental animation, 2D and 3D, game design, and more.
Maryland Institute College of Art
Degree: BFA in Animation
The Animation Department at the Maryland Institute College of Art offers a BFA in Animation, using the surrounding Baltimore community as a way for students to gain real hands-on experience. Students will graduate with knowledge in 2D, Stop-Motion, and 3D animation.
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Degree: Animation Program
The BFA in Animation at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design is for artistic students who are looking for a challenge. Students will come out of the program with a firm grasp of Technology and Workflow, the Creative Process, Critique and Assessment, and Research and context. MassArt gives students access to 6 individual animation studios, Multi-Modal labs, an Editing and sound Studio, and more.
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Degree: BFA in Animation
Offering education in illustrated, stop-motion, and computer-generated approaches to animation, the Minneapolis College of Art and Design’s BFA in Animation gives a broad historical perspective on animation as both an applied and fine art. Students are required to gain real-world experience through an internship and are encouraged to study abroad during their third year before delving deep into senior-year projects.
Montclair State University
Degree: BFA in Animation/Illustration
Montclair State University’s BFA in Animation/Illustration is considered a pre-professional degree where students will study digital illustration, 2D and 3D animation, cartooning, character design, screenwriting for animation, texture mapping, and much, much more. Students have access to various studios, including a Product/Design Studio and a Drawing Studio.
New York University
Degree: BS and BFA in Film & Television, Concentration in Animation
The Animation Area at the New York University Tisch School of Arts is designed to fulfill the needs of all Film and TV students for both animation and live-action. The curriculum covers 2D and 3D animation, storyboarding, optical and digital effects, as well as titles, life drawing, history, and criticism classes.
Ohio State University
Degree: BFA in Art, Emphasis on Art & Technology
It may not specifically say “Animation,” but the BFA in Art with an Emphasis in Art and Technology major at Ohio State University has some animation accolades under its belt. The curriculum is primarily filled with project-based learning, and students will create interactive installations, produce moving images and 3D animations, work in virtual reality, 3D modeling, art games, holography, and more.
Purdue University
Degree: BA in Animation
The Animation major at Purdue University focuses on six areas of animation: 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering, character rigging, and motion. Housed in the Polytechnic Institute, students learn by doing in teams and with professionals.
Pratt Institute
Degree: BFA in Digital Arts and Animation
Students in the BFA in Digital Arts and Animation program at Pratt Institute learn through the theory, practice, and history of new media. They can choose between one of three Digital Arts Concentrations: 3D Animation and Motion Arts, 2D Animation, and Interactive Arts. Myrtle Hall, home to the Animation program, features digital studio/classrooms, 2D and 3D printers, a dedicated green screen facility, a high-speed Fibre Channel network, traditional animation facilities, and more.
Rhode Island School of Design
Degree: BFA in Film, Animation, and Video
The Rhode Island School of Design offers a BFA in Film, Animation, and Video, affectionately called FAV, which educates students in both live-action and animation, as well as hybrids of the two. Students have access to Animation stand studios, stop-action animation studios, and various equipment and programs.
Ringling College of Art and Design
Degree: BFA in Computer Animation
The Ringling College of Art and Design offers a BFA in Computer Animation, focusing on producing original work that affects the audience emotionally, visually, and intellectually. RCAD brings in visiting artists from big names in the industry and provides eight state-of-the-art computer labs for students to work in, along with a render farm.
Rochester Institute of Technology
Degree: BFA in Film and Animation
The School of Film and Animation at the Rochester Institute of Technology offers a BFA option in animation that gives students three tracks to choose from 2D, 3D, and stop-motion animation. Students have access to various facilities to start making movies from day one, including a Mixdown Room, SOFA Cage, and Animation Crane Rooms.
Savannah College of Art and Design
Degree: BFA in Animation
Savannah College of Art and Design offers a BFA, MA, and MFA in Animation and maintains the offers in Atlanta, Hong Kong, Savannah, and online via e-Learning. SCAD provides the education and resources to work in film, TV, video games, AR/VR, and more. Students can access high-performance digital workstations, state-of-the-art motion capture systems, and more.
Syracuse University
Degree: BFA in Computer Art & Animation
Syracuse University is home to the Department of Transmedia, which offers a BFA in Computer Art & Animation. The curriculum begins with a focus on creating a strong foundation and provides the opportunity to travel to Los Angeles for an immersive experience in animation and film.
Texas A&M University
Degree: BS in Visualization
Another program without the word “Animation” in it, but graduates from Texas A&M University’s BS in Visualization program have gone on to contribute to big-name Animation flicks such as Toy Story 4 and Zootopia. Visualization Aggies are trained to engage and develop both scientifically and aesthetically in all areas of visual communication—including animation. In junior year, students are required to study away for a semester before delving deep into studio time, and capstone projects in their senior year.
University of Pennsylvania
Degree: Digital Media Design Program
Designed for students interested in computer graphics, animation, games, and more, the Digital Media Design Program at the University of Pennsylvania is a Bachelor of Engineering and Science (BSE) degree. Created in 1998, this program was created to combine fine arts with computer science — while students will be using their artistic skills and be expected to work on the programming, mathematics, and technologies that make computer graphics.
University of Southern California
Degree: BA in Animation and Digital Arts
The John C. Hench Division of Animation at the University of Southern California curriculum includes classic character animation, 2D and 3D storytelling, performance capture, visual effects, motion graphics, stop-motion, and more. USC Animation students can study abroad at Studio Art Centers International (SACI) in Florence, Italy.
Woodbury University
Degree: BFA in Animation
Taught in a studio environment, Woodbury University’s BFA in Animation program is hands-on from the start. Woodbury’s animation program has students developing characters and worlds to star in their own films, whether the mode of art is hand-drawn, stop-motion, or computer graphics. Students are required to fulfill an internship before graduating, but with Woodbury’s primo location within 20 minutes of 15 different animation studios, there are plenty of choices.
Each of these schools offers a different campus experience and program focus, so the “best” choice depends on your goals and learning style.
Choosing the Right Animation School
As you narrow your list of animation schools, ask yourself:
- What type of animation do I want to study?
- Do I prefer a small art school or a large university?
- What kind of portfolio support does this program offer?
- What career paths do graduates pursue?
- How much does the program cost, and what financial aid is available?
Visiting campuses (in person or virtually), reviewing student work, and talking to current students or advisors can help you decide.
Animation Degree Career Paths
As digital content continues to expand, animation skills are becoming valuable across more industries. Graduates from animation programswork in many creative fields:
Choosing among animation colleges, animation universities, and schools with animation majors isn’t about finding a single “best” program. It’s about finding the one that fits your creative goals, learning style, and future plans.
Take your time, explore your options, and focus on programs that will help you build strong skills, a great portfolio, and confidence in your creative voice. With the right animation program, you’ll be well on your way to turning ideas into motion.
The TLDR
Animation majors focus on visual storytelling through movement, combining creativity with technical skills.
- You can study animation at specialized art schools or at universities with animation majors or tracks.
- Common animation degrees include BFA, BA, or animation concentrations within film, digital media, or game design programs.
- The best animation colleges help students build strong portfolios, not just complete coursework.
- Look for programs with modern facilities, experienced faculty, and career support like internships and alumni networks.
- There’s no single “best” animation school. The right choice depends on your interests, learning style, and career goals.
Now that you know the top colleges for animation programs, you will want to know your chances of getting accepted. With Appily's college acceptance calculator, you'll be able to see where you stand for any school on your list. To get started, simply click the button below and create a free Appily account.
FAQs About Animation Programs
What kind of degree do you need for animation?
A Bachelor’s degree (BFA or BA) in animation, digital arts, visual effects, or a related field is standard. Some studios may consider exceptional portfolios even without a degree.
Are animation schools the same as universities?
Not always. Some animation programs are part of large universities, while others are at specialized art colleges. Both can be excellent choices! Focus on curriculum and outcomes.
Do all colleges offer animation majors?
No. Some schools offer animation concentrations within broader media, digital art, or graphic design degrees. Always check program specifics.
Is a portfolio required to get into animation school?
Yes. Most top animation programs require a portfolio showcasing your best work in drawing, storytelling, or digital animation.
