Are you passionate about animation? Animation is about bringing characters and stories to life through drawings, computer graphics, and other techniques. Studying animation can lead to exciting careers in film, TV, video games, and more. When it comes to becoming an animator, a bachelor’s degree in animation is the best choice. This degree teaches you how to create animated characters and stories. With this degree, you can work as a video game designer, art director, or film and video director. Many colleges offer these programs, and you can even study online, either part-time or full-time. Here are the 20 best colleges for animation in 2024. We’ll tell you about their GPA, median SAT and ACT scores, acceptance rates, requirements, professional outcomes, and academic highlights. This guide will help you find the best college for your future in animation.
20 Best Colleges for Animation
Choosing the right college is very important. These 20 colleges offer great animation programs. They help students become successful in their careers. Each college has strong faculty and good industry connections. Graduates find jobs in film, TV, video games, and more. Pick a college that fits your goals and dreams. Good luck with your studies in animation!
1. California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
GPA: 3.5
Median SAT: Not required
Median ACT: Not required
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Requirements: Strong portfolio, high school transcripts, essays.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work at Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks.
Academic Highlights: Excellent animation program, industry-experienced faculty.
2. Ringling College of Art and Design
GPA: 3.3
Median SAT: Optional
Median ACT: Optional
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Requirements: Good GPA, strong portfolio, essays.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work at major studios like Sony.
Academic Highlights: Top animation program, focus on storytelling.
3. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
GPA: 3.5
Median SAT: 1210
Median ACT: 25
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Requirements: Good GPA, SAT/ACT optional, portfolio.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in film, TV, and games.
Academic Highlights: Strong animation program, great industry connections.
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4. School of Visual Arts (SVA)
GPA: 3.2
Median SAT: Optional
Median ACT: Optional
Acceptance Rate: 71%
Requirements: Good GPA, strong portfolio, essays.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work at Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network.
Academic Highlights: Excellent faculty, hands-on animation projects.
5. University of Southern California (USC)
GPA: 3.8
Median SAT: 1430
Median ACT: 32
Acceptance Rate: 16%
Requirements: High GPA, top SAT/ACT scores, portfolio.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work at top studios worldwide.
Academic Highlights: Prestigious program, strong industry ties.
6. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
GPA: 3.6
Median SAT: 1340
Median ACT: 29
Acceptance Rate: 26%
Requirements: High GPA, strong portfolio, SAT/ACT scores.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in film, TV, and animation.
Academic Highlights: Strong focus on art and design, excellent faculty.
7. Pratt Institute
GPA: 3.3
Median SAT: 1270
Median ACT: 27
Acceptance Rate: 51%
Requirements: Good GPA, strong portfolio, SAT/ACT scores.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work at major animation studios.
Academic Highlights: Excellent program, strong focus on creativity.
8. Gobelins, l’école de l’image (France)
GPA: Not applicable
Median SAT: Not required
Median ACT: Not required
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Requirements: Strong portfolio, essays, interviews.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work at Pixar, DreamWorks, Ubisoft.
Academic Highlights: World-renowned animation school, excellent faculty.
9. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
GPA: 3.9
Median SAT: 1400
Median ACT: 31
Acceptance Rate: 14%
Requirements: High GPA, top SAT/ACT scores, portfolio.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in film and TV animation.
Academic Highlights: Prestigious program, strong industry connections.
Best Colleges for Animation and Graphic Design
10. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
GPA: 3.4
Median SAT: 1290
Median ACT: 28
Acceptance Rate: 71%
Requirements: Good GPA, SAT/ACT scores, portfolio.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in games, film, and TV.
Academic Highlights: Strong animation and game design programs.
11. Carnegie Mellon University
GPA: 3.8
Median SAT: 1480
Median ACT: 33
Acceptance Rate: 15%
Requirements: High GPA, top SAT/ACT scores, portfolio.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work at top tech and animation companies.
Academic Highlights: Prestigious program, strong tech focus.
12. New York University (NYU)
GPA: 3.7
Median SAT: 1440
Median ACT: 32
Acceptance Rate: 21%
Requirements: High GPA, top SAT/ACT scores, portfolio.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in film, TV, and animation.
Academic Highlights: Strong arts program, excellent faculty.
13. DePaul University
GPA: 3.5
Median SAT: 1200
Median ACT: 26
Acceptance Rate: 68%
Requirements: Good GPA, SAT/ACT scores, portfolio.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in film and video game animation.
Academic Highlights: Strong animation program, good industry ties.
14. Columbia College Chicago
GPA: 3.0
Median SAT: Optional
Median ACT: Optional
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Requirements: Good GPA, strong portfolio, essays.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in various animation fields.
Academic Highlights: Creative environment, hands-on projects, strong faculty.
15. Academy of Art University
GPA: 2.9
Median SAT: Optional
Median ACT: Optional
Acceptance Rate: Open admission
Requirements: Good portfolio, essays, high school transcripts.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in film, TV, and games.
Academic Highlights: Flexible programs, strong industry connections.
16. ArtCenter College of Design
GPA: 3.4
Median SAT: Optional
Median ACT: Optional
Acceptance Rate: 68%
Requirements: Strong portfolio, essays, high school transcripts.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in top animation and design studios.
Academic Highlights: Excellent faculty, strong focus on creativity.
17. School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
GPA: 3.2
Median SAT: Optional
Median ACT: Optional
Acceptance Rate: 57%
Requirements: Good GPA, strong portfolio, essays.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in various creative industries.
Academic Highlights: Strong art and design program, great faculty.
18. Otis College of Art and Design
GPA: 3.3
Median SAT: Optional
Median ACT: Optional
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Requirements: Good GPA, strong portfolio, essays.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in film, TV, and games.
Academic Highlights: Strong animation program, industry-experienced faculty.
19. California College of the Arts (CCA)
GPA: 3.2
Median SAT: Optional
Median ACT: Optional
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Requirements: Good GPA, strong portfolio, essays.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in various creative industries.
Academic Highlights: Strong focus on creativity, hands-on projects.
20. Emerson College
GPA: 3.6
Median SAT: 1280
Median ACT: 28
Acceptance Rate: 33%
Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, portfolio.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in film and TV animation.
Academic Highlights: Strong arts program, excellent faculty.
Best Colleges for Animation and Illustration – Conclusion
The right college is crucial for your future in animation. The Best Colleges for Animation listed above offer top-notch programs with strong faculty and industry connections. These schools provide excellent training and resources to help you develop your skills. Graduates from these programs often find jobs at major studios, game companies, and in other creative fields. Whether you aim to work in film, TV, or video games, these colleges can help you reach your goals.
Each college has its own unique strengths and opportunities. Some focus on hands-on projects, while others emphasize storytelling or technical skills. It’s important to find a program that matches your interests and career aspirations. By selecting a college that fits your needs, you can set yourself up for a successful and fulfilling career in animation. Good luck in finding the perfect school and pursuing your passion for animation!