The Best 20 Animation Degree Programs in 2024

Our list begins with a couple of East Coast schools, as the Pratt Institute of Brooklyn, New York leads our list of the top animation degree programs. This program needs little introduction to those who work in the animation industry. With competitive tuition costs and strong student-to-teacher ratios, the Pratt Institute should be on every student’s shortlist of animation degree programs.

“BEAUTIFUL, a film made by student Mulan Fu in the Advanced Animation Production class at NYU Tisch School of the Arts Animation Program.”

Another Big Apple school, New York University, Tisch School of the Arts makes an impressive appearance on our list of the top animation degree programs. With an award-winning faculty and an impressive list of notable alumni, students will benefit from good student-to-teacher ratios, discover reasonable tuition fees, in this program worth investigating further.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that many smaller institutions and universities are on our list of the top animation degree programs, as this is more of a niche career and industry, but not all of those programs are of the technical or small school variety. DePaul University in Chicago and one of the leading universities in Illinois is one such example. Very manageable tuition rates help to offset larger student-to-teacher ratios and to earn this program a place on our list.

For students looking for the top animation degree programs, the Acadamy of Art University in San Francisco, California is worth a look. This esteemed program comes with competitive tuition rates which counterbalance somewhat larger class numbers. In the mecca of entertainment, students at the Academy of Art University can get the education they need to succeed in a career in animation.

The Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio is one of a few Midwest programs to make our list. Competitive tuition rates and good student-to-teacher ratios help earn this post-secondary institution a solid showing and should earn a few second looks from students seeking a career in animation.

Unlike many of the other more recognized schools on the list, Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida doesn’t come with a nationally recognized name. What this institution does deliver, however, is one of the top animation degree programs and the most affordable tuition rates of any of the programs on our list.

Another one of those top animation degree programs on the West Coast is the San Jose State University in San Jose, California. This program offers more affordable tuition rates which help to offset a less than ideal student-to-teacher ratio and to earn this program a spot on our list of the top schools for students pursuing an animation degree program.

Students looking for proven art and design schools and who want to enroll in the top animation degree programs can find both at the Laguna College of Art and Design in Laguna Beach, California. Good student-to-teacher ratios also help this program earn a place among our list of the leading animation degree programs.

One of New York’s premier schools for art and design, the School of Visual Arts in New York, New York, offers students the opportunity to earn a degree from one of the top animation degree programs in the country. This animation degree program also offers ideal student-to-teacher ratios which help to counterbalance stout tuition fees at this acclaimed school.

Another one of those institutions of higher learning that needs no introduction is the Carnegie Mellon University, renowned for its excellence in education this program affords students one of the top animation degree programs. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this program has a best on our list, five to one student-to-teacher ratio.

Among the many great animation degree programs out west, students shouldn’t overlook the University of California in Los Angeles. This program doesn’t have the greatest student-to-teacher ratio but does have competitive tuition costs.

Offering one of the best animation degree courses in the Midwest the School of the Art Insititute of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois is a highly-sought-after program. This program offers solid student-to-teacher ratios and only stiffer tuition rates prevent it from ranking higher.

Sometimes being a smaller or lesser-known institution has its benefits. For the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, California, that may be part of the reason why this great program also offers very good student-to-teacher ratios. The only drawback here is sizeable tuition rates that will typically require financial assistance for most students.

One of the largest schools, not only on our list but in the country, the University of Southern California, is another school that needs no introduction. That also means that USC students also get some of the best tools, facilities, and instruction, and this storied program has surprisingly good student-to-teacher ratios too.

The tuition rate for this wonderful program is considerable, but the education students get at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, can’t be argued. In addition to specialized animation courses, this top animation degree program also offers more personalized instruction with excellent student-to-teacher ratios.

One of the smaller programs on our list, the California Institute of the Arts is no stranger to recognition and awards. Well known as a leader in art and design instruction, students enjoy a great student-to-teacher ratio. Only larger tuition costs keep this institution from a better showing.

Like several of the smaller art and design schools on our list of the top animation degree programs, for the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia, that hasn’t meant less recognition. This esteemed and respected school is worth a second look for students who are looking for the top animation degree programs.

For those familiar with the animation industry, the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, Rhode Island is recognized as a top animation degree program. Good student-to-teacher ratios help thls school to find a place on our list of the top programs although financial assistance will often be required by most students to handle stout tuition rates at this respected school of design.

The last of our West Coast programs to make the list, the California College of the Arts in San Francisco, California, offers students great student-to-teacher ratios and the opportunity to earn a degree from one of the top animation programs. Only larger tuition rates prevent this college from climbing the list.

Closing out our list of the top animation degree programs, we end where we began, on the East Coast. The Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York may be the last school on our list of the top programs, but it is worth a place and a look for students seeking one of the top animation degrees in the country.