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If you’re interested in animation as a career path, this article will tell you all you need to know about the best animation schools in the US to help you turn your dreams into reality!
Animation jobs are among the most popular and highest-paying professions within creative fields, along with graphic designers, photographers, and more. The animation industry is one of the biggest and most rapidly growing entertainment industries.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary reported by US special effects artists and animators in May 2021 was $78,790.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the number of jobs in animation and visual effects will be 16% higher in 2030 than in 2020. This growth rate is double the average among all recorded occupations.
While the demand for animators is growing, the competition remains fierce. So in this article, we’ll go over the best animation schools that are sure to set you up for success!
To be an animator, you must be savvy in art, innovation, storytelling, and technology. Animation has an extremely wide range of applications in media, entertainment, education, and even in medical fields. The high versatility is one of the reasons why the demand for animators is high and growing.
Most animation jobs have no specific degree requirements, making it entirely possible to get a job within the animation industry without having a Bachelor’s in animation or a related field.
With that said, successful animators will need an impressive portfolio to get hired.
Animation schools provide excellent opportunities to learn how to animate and build your portfolio, all while receiving guidance and feedback from peers and instructors. It is an excellent environment to learn skills and knowledge while enriching your profile as an animator.
When it comes to being an animator, getting your degree should be one of the lower things on your priority list. In any path you take towards being an animator, you should always prioritize learning the skills you need to grow and become an excellent animator.
While getting a degree is ultimately beneficial for many reasons, degrees are meaningless if you don’t back them up with a strong portfolio that demonstrates your capability as an animator. At times, employers might jump straight into looking at your portfolio before they look at your credentials when evaluating you as a candidate.
Your portfolio and projects do a much better job of conveying your capacity as an animator than your degree. Therefore, make sure you cherish the process of learning and animating above the credentials in university.
Every person is different, so what school can be considered “best” will ultimately depend on how a college meets your needs as you build your college list. However, if we use the learning opportunities, employment outlook, and resources for education for a rubric, here are the 13 best animation schools in the US:
Alias: CalArts
State: California
Acceptance Rate: 31.6%
Graduation Rate: 72.4%
Founded by Walt Disney in 1961, California Institute of Arts, or CalArts for short, offers one of the best academic programs for animation in the USA.
Many alumni of CalArts have been nominated for Academy and Emmy Awards, with some winning these awards. CalArts is especially known for its curriculum in Experimental Animation and Character Animation.
Alias: SCAD
State: Georgia
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Graduation Rate: 74%
SCAD is one of the best art schools in the USA. Winning countless awards, the school offers a wide array of excellent academic programs in fine arts, design, fashion, filmmaking, media production, photography, and, of course, animation, among others.
If you’re interested in the artistic side of animating, this school has everything you’re looking for!
Alias: RCAD
State: Florida
Acceptance Rate: n/a
Graduation Rate: n/a
Ringling College of Art and Design is another top-tier school that excels in creative media design and art content production. The school is especially renowned for its computer animation programs.
Many alumni have worked in world-class animation studios such as Disney, Cartoon Network, Dreamworks, Nickelodeon, Pixar, Santa Monica studios, and many more.
Alias: SVA
Location: New York
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Graduation Rate: 74%
SVA is another school that is all about artistic creativity. The school has over 1,100 faculty members and hosts a dynamic range of programs. They place an emphasis on critical thinking and artistic innovation, providing a great environment for learning animation.
Alumni have won Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, Grammys, MacArthur Fellowships, and Guggenheim Fellowship.
Alias: USC
Location: California
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Graduation Rate: 92%
USC’s School of Cinematic Arts has a division known as the John C. Hench Division of Animation and Digital Arts.
Students have endless opportunities to explore and learn various types of animation, including but not limited to 2D and 3D Animation, Character Animation, Storyboarding, Motion Graphics, VR and/or Immersive Media, Motion Capture, and so on.
Many USC alums have moved on to work for some of the most famous media production companies, such as Pixar, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, Disney, Sony, and many more!
Alias: RISD
Location: Rhode Island
Acceptance Rate: 19%
Graduation Rate: 89%
RISD has a Film, Animation, and Video department dedicated to getting students to “explore the art of the moving image.” The school offers a great education for those passionate about art and creativity.
Notable alumni currently work for studios like Pixar, DreamWorks, and Harmonix. RISD even has its own museum, showcasing artwork and media made by students and alumni.
Alias: Pratt
Location: New York
Acceptance Rate: 62%
Graduation Rate: 75%
As a research institute, Pratt Institute uses the power of digital technology to teach Digital Arts and Animation. From virtual reality to artificial intelligence, Pratt puts technological innovation into artistic creation, allowing students to use technology as a tool to mold themselves into artists, designers, and storytellers.
Alias: UCLA
Location: California
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Graduation Rate: 90%
As one of the top universities in the US, UCLA secures its spot as one of the best establishments for those pursuing a career in animation.
The School of Theatre, Film & Television offers workshops dedicated to various branches of entertainment, including traditional animation. With many extensive courses about animation and media production, UCLA has both breadth and depth in its animation education.
Alias: Gnomon
Location: California
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Graduation Rate: 76.1%
Gnomon is an animation school that prides itself on getting students equipped for almost every position in the entertainment industry.
Producing exceptional digital artists, game designers, visual effects artists, and animators, Gnomon has a 90% placement rate, with many graduates attaining employment at Pixar, LUMA Pictures, and The Third Floor, just to name a few.
Alias: NYU
Location: New York
Acceptance Rate: 13%
Graduation Rate: 78%
The NYU Tisch School of Arts is filled with resources and opportunities for students to blossom into innovative and aspiring animators.
On top of having a comprehensive and diverse array of classes and programs for animation, Tisch also has groups and communities for animation students, such as Student Animation League and Animation Alumni Association.
Alias: Full Sail
Location: Florida
Acceptance Rate: n/a
Graduation Rate: n/a
Full Sail University specializes in entertainment, media, arts, and technology education. With access to cutting-edge technology and invaluable knowledge of entertainment media, countless have found success as animators. In 2022, Full Sail became an Apple Distinguished School due to its innovation, leadership, and educational excellence.
Alias: RIT
Location: New York
Acceptance Rate: 71%
Graduation Rate: 80%
Known for its computer science, engineering, and art programs, RIT is a prestigious place that values creativity and innovation. RIT is “one of the top universities in the nation working at the intersection of technology, arts, and design.”
Ranked the 41st most innovative American school by US News and World Report, RIT is a great choice for aspiring animators.
Alias: AcademyArt
Location: California
Acceptance Rate: n/a
Graduation Rate: 44%
The School of Animation and Visual Effects of AcademyArt cultivates designers and creators.
This Houdini-certified school has won many awards for its excellent animation programs. Many alumni have found success in animation and VFX professions. Companies like Marvel, Paramount, Dreamworks, and many more have hired graduates.
The above were some of the best animation schools that the USA has to offer at the moment. Do you still have any questions? Perhaps our FAQs will help paint a better picture for you.
There is no easy answer to this question. Every animator is different, and every school provides different learning environments, opportunities, program curricula, and teaching styles. Therefore, you must look at the schools and see which one is the best fit for you.
Some schools focus more on the creative side of animation, putting more emphasis on fine arts and visual design. Other schools focus more on animation technology, such as computer science, software usage, and visual effects.
This is just one example of the many differences between schools, so ensure that you do your research before making a choice!
Overall, the California Institute of the Arts, the Savannah College of Art and Design, and the Ringling College of Art and Design are currently the top three giants of animation schools in the USA.
However, the other top 10 schools are undoubtedly excellent institutions to pursue a degree in animation, each offering a world full of opportunities of their own kind.
Many alumni of these 13 schools listed in this article have seen employment by the most globally renowned animation studios, such as Disney, Dreamworks, Pixar, Nickelodeon, Bluesky Studios, and many more.
However, animators are not just needed in the animation industry. Many other companies in the entertainment industry, especially in sectors like video games, TV programs, and major films, have also hired graduates from these schools. Examples include Marvel, Warner Bros Studios, and Santa Monica Studios, just to name a few.
Frankly, if you perform well in your academic education in animation, an extremely wide array of employment opportunities and career pathways are open for you. But once again, you need to decide which option is best for you specifically.
The college that is most popular amongst those wanting to be Disney animators is the California Institute of the Arts. Not only is this a school founded by Walt Disney himself, but it also offers possibly the most enriching and promising education for animation.
CalArts students also get more opportunities to meet and connect with talented artists that work at Disney.
Schools such as Ringling College of Art and Design, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Academy of Art University have also seen many graduates being hired into Disney.
Pixar animation studios, another animation powerhouse in the USA, employs many graduates from the 13 schools listed above. Alums of these schools have particularly gained a liking from Pixar:
Even though going to animation school isn’t required to get employed in the animation industry, going to animation school is completely worth it.
Animation schools provide an invaluable environment for you to learn the essentials of animation–offering the support of instructors, faculty, and peers on your journey.
Many animation schools have programs and/or courses that focus on a specific type of animation, such as 2D animation, hand-drawn animation, computer animation, 3D animation, and so on. So, you’ll get the chance to target specialties in animating and learn the skills and techniques you need to become a world-class animator.
The academic programs and courses also have performance standards that push you to do better with your projects. You’ll have the opportunity to complete many animated projects, which will help you develop and refine your skills while allowing you to develop your portfolio.
But it doesn’t end with learning. Animation schools and universities are communities, on top of places for learning. This means that you’ll also get the opportunity to network with many world-class animators and industry professionals.
Despite not making the list, here are a few honorable mentions that also have much to offer animation students:
Although these schools may not be as cutting-edge as the 13 schools above, they still offer excellent education and promising future career paths!
If you’re aspiring to become an animator, hopefully, this article will give you new directions and inspiration.
While those in animation often start off with a strong passion, finding success in animation as a career takes a large investment of time and effort. You must be prepared to dedicate your time, energy, and fortitude to producing many animated projects.
While this can be said about any career path, employment outcomes for animators seem to be more promising than ever. If you stay dedicated, everything you go through will all be worth it in the end–especially if you go to one of the best animation schools in the country.
If you’re interested in animation as a career path, this article will tell you all you need to know about the best animation schools in the US to help you turn your dreams into reality!
Animation jobs are among the most popular and highest-paying professions within creative fields, along with graphic designers, photographers, and more. The animation industry is one of the biggest and most rapidly growing entertainment industries.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary reported by US special effects artists and animators in May 2021 was $78,790.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the number of jobs in animation and visual effects will be 16% higher in 2030 than in 2020. This growth rate is double the average among all recorded occupations.
While the demand for animators is growing, the competition remains fierce. So in this article, we’ll go over the best animation schools that are sure to set you up for success!
To be an animator, you must be savvy in art, innovation, storytelling, and technology. Animation has an extremely wide range of applications in media, entertainment, education, and even in medical fields. The high versatility is one of the reasons why the demand for animators is high and growing.
Most animation jobs have no specific degree requirements, making it entirely possible to get a job within the animation industry without having a Bachelor’s in animation or a related field.
With that said, successful animators will need an impressive portfolio to get hired.
Animation schools provide excellent opportunities to learn how to animate and build your portfolio, all while receiving guidance and feedback from peers and instructors. It is an excellent environment to learn skills and knowledge while enriching your profile as an animator.
When it comes to being an animator, getting your degree should be one of the lower things on your priority list. In any path you take towards being an animator, you should always prioritize learning the skills you need to grow and become an excellent animator.
While getting a degree is ultimately beneficial for many reasons, degrees are meaningless if you don’t back them up with a strong portfolio that demonstrates your capability as an animator. At times, employers might jump straight into looking at your portfolio before they look at your credentials when evaluating you as a candidate.
Your portfolio and projects do a much better job of conveying your capacity as an animator than your degree. Therefore, make sure you cherish the process of learning and animating above the credentials in university.
Every person is different, so what school can be considered “best” will ultimately depend on how a college meets your needs as you build your college list. However, if we use the learning opportunities, employment outlook, and resources for education for a rubric, here are the 13 best animation schools in the US:
Alias: CalArts
State: California
Acceptance Rate: 31.6%
Graduation Rate: 72.4%
Founded by Walt Disney in 1961, California Institute of Arts, or CalArts for short, offers one of the best academic programs for animation in the USA.
Many alumni of CalArts have been nominated for Academy and Emmy Awards, with some winning these awards. CalArts is especially known for its curriculum in Experimental Animation and Character Animation.
Alias: SCAD
State: Georgia
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Graduation Rate: 74%
SCAD is one of the best art schools in the USA. Winning countless awards, the school offers a wide array of excellent academic programs in fine arts, design, fashion, filmmaking, media production, photography, and, of course, animation, among others.
If you’re interested in the artistic side of animating, this school has everything you’re looking for!
Alias: RCAD
State: Florida
Acceptance Rate: n/a
Graduation Rate: n/a
Ringling College of Art and Design is another top-tier school that excels in creative media design and art content production. The school is especially renowned for its computer animation programs.
Many alumni have worked in world-class animation studios such as Disney, Cartoon Network, Dreamworks, Nickelodeon, Pixar, Santa Monica studios, and many more.
Alias: SVA
Location: New York
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Graduation Rate: 74%
SVA is another school that is all about artistic creativity. The school has over 1,100 faculty members and hosts a dynamic range of programs. They place an emphasis on critical thinking and artistic innovation, providing a great environment for learning animation.
Alumni have won Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, Grammys, MacArthur Fellowships, and Guggenheim Fellowship.
Alias: USC
Location: California
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Graduation Rate: 92%
USC’s School of Cinematic Arts has a division known as the John C. Hench Division of Animation and Digital Arts.
Students have endless opportunities to explore and learn various types of animation, including but not limited to 2D and 3D Animation, Character Animation, Storyboarding, Motion Graphics, VR and/or Immersive Media, Motion Capture, and so on.
Many USC alums have moved on to work for some of the most famous media production companies, such as Pixar, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, Disney, Sony, and many more!
Alias: RISD
Location: Rhode Island
Acceptance Rate: 19%
Graduation Rate: 89%
RISD has a Film, Animation, and Video department dedicated to getting students to “explore the art of the moving image.” The school offers a great education for those passionate about art and creativity.
Notable alumni currently work for studios like Pixar, DreamWorks, and Harmonix. RISD even has its own museum, showcasing artwork and media made by students and alumni.
Alias: Pratt
Location: New York
Acceptance Rate: 62%
Graduation Rate: 75%
As a research institute, Pratt Institute uses the power of digital technology to teach Digital Arts and Animation. From virtual reality to artificial intelligence, Pratt puts technological innovation into artistic creation, allowing students to use technology as a tool to mold themselves into artists, designers, and storytellers.
Alias: UCLA
Location: California
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Graduation Rate: 90%
As one of the top universities in the US, UCLA secures its spot as one of the best establishments for those pursuing a career in animation.
The School of Theatre, Film & Television offers workshops dedicated to various branches of entertainment, including traditional animation. With many extensive courses about animation and media production, UCLA has both breadth and depth in its animation education.
Alias: Gnomon
Location: California
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Graduation Rate: 76.1%
Gnomon is an animation school that prides itself on getting students equipped for almost every position in the entertainment industry.
Producing exceptional digital artists, game designers, visual effects artists, and animators, Gnomon has a 90% placement rate, with many graduates attaining employment at Pixar, LUMA Pictures, and The Third Floor, just to name a few.
Alias: NYU
Location: New York
Acceptance Rate: 13%
Graduation Rate: 78%
The NYU Tisch School of Arts is filled with resources and opportunities for students to blossom into innovative and aspiring animators.
On top of having a comprehensive and diverse array of classes and programs for animation, Tisch also has groups and communities for animation students, such as Student Animation League and Animation Alumni Association.
Alias: Full Sail
Location: Florida
Acceptance Rate: n/a
Graduation Rate: n/a
Full Sail University specializes in entertainment, media, arts, and technology education. With access to cutting-edge technology and invaluable knowledge of entertainment media, countless have found success as animators. In 2022, Full Sail became an Apple Distinguished School due to its innovation, leadership, and educational excellence.
Alias: RIT
Location: New York
Acceptance Rate: 71%
Graduation Rate: 80%
Known for its computer science, engineering, and art programs, RIT is a prestigious place that values creativity and innovation. RIT is “one of the top universities in the nation working at the intersection of technology, arts, and design.”
Ranked the 41st most innovative American school by US News and World Report, RIT is a great choice for aspiring animators.
Alias: AcademyArt
Location: California
Acceptance Rate: n/a
Graduation Rate: 44%
The School of Animation and Visual Effects of AcademyArt cultivates designers and creators.
This Houdini-certified school has won many awards for its excellent animation programs. Many alumni have found success in animation and VFX professions. Companies like Marvel, Paramount, Dreamworks, and many more have hired graduates.
The above were some of the best animation schools that the USA has to offer at the moment. Do you still have any questions? Perhaps our FAQs will help paint a better picture for you.
There is no easy answer to this question. Every animator is different, and every school provides different learning environments, opportunities, program curricula, and teaching styles. Therefore, you must look at the schools and see which one is the best fit for you.
Some schools focus more on the creative side of animation, putting more emphasis on fine arts and visual design. Other schools focus more on animation technology, such as computer science, software usage, and visual effects.
This is just one example of the many differences between schools, so ensure that you do your research before making a choice!
Overall, the California Institute of the Arts, the Savannah College of Art and Design, and the Ringling College of Art and Design are currently the top three giants of animation schools in the USA.
However, the other top 10 schools are undoubtedly excellent institutions to pursue a degree in animation, each offering a world full of opportunities of their own kind.
Many alumni of these 13 schools listed in this article have seen employment by the most globally renowned animation studios, such as Disney, Dreamworks, Pixar, Nickelodeon, Bluesky Studios, and many more.
However, animators are not just needed in the animation industry. Many other companies in the entertainment industry, especially in sectors like video games, TV programs, and major films, have also hired graduates from these schools. Examples include Marvel, Warner Bros Studios, and Santa Monica Studios, just to name a few.
Frankly, if you perform well in your academic education in animation, an extremely wide array of employment opportunities and career pathways are open for you. But once again, you need to decide which option is best for you specifically.
The college that is most popular amongst those wanting to be Disney animators is the California Institute of the Arts. Not only is this a school founded by Walt Disney himself, but it also offers possibly the most enriching and promising education for animation.
CalArts students also get more opportunities to meet and connect with talented artists that work at Disney.
Schools such as Ringling College of Art and Design, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Academy of Art University have also seen many graduates being hired into Disney.
Pixar animation studios, another animation powerhouse in the USA, employs many graduates from the 13 schools listed above. Alums of these schools have particularly gained a liking from Pixar:
Even though going to animation school isn’t required to get employed in the animation industry, going to animation school is completely worth it.
Animation schools provide an invaluable environment for you to learn the essentials of animation–offering the support of instructors, faculty, and peers on your journey.
Many animation schools have programs and/or courses that focus on a specific type of animation, such as 2D animation, hand-drawn animation, computer animation, 3D animation, and so on. So, you’ll get the chance to target specialties in animating and learn the skills and techniques you need to become a world-class animator.
The academic programs and courses also have performance standards that push you to do better with your projects. You’ll have the opportunity to complete many animated projects, which will help you develop and refine your skills while allowing you to develop your portfolio.
But it doesn’t end with learning. Animation schools and universities are communities, on top of places for learning. This means that you’ll also get the opportunity to network with many world-class animators and industry professionals.
Despite not making the list, here are a few honorable mentions that also have much to offer animation students:
Although these schools may not be as cutting-edge as the 13 schools above, they still offer excellent education and promising future career paths!
If you’re aspiring to become an animator, hopefully, this article will give you new directions and inspiration.
While those in animation often start off with a strong passion, finding success in animation as a career takes a large investment of time and effort. You must be prepared to dedicate your time, energy, and fortitude to producing many animated projects.
While this can be said about any career path, employment outcomes for animators seem to be more promising than ever. If you stay dedicated, everything you go through will all be worth it in the end–especially if you go to one of the best animation schools in the country.
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