If you’re artistically inclined and tech-savvy, a career in animation might be the best of both worlds. Before joining a major studio and becoming Walt Disney Animation’s latest artist, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in animation. With the overwhelming number of academic programs and schools available, it can be difficult to nail down your dream school.
That’s why in this article, we’ve outlined the top schools offering the best animation bachelor’s degrees. After discussing our list of the best bachelor’s degrees in animation, we’ll also go over the highest-paying animation bachelor’s degree jobs you can expect to land after graduation.
Where Can I Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Animation?
You can get a bachelor’s degree in animation from Arizona State University, Drexel University, Regent University, or Savannah College of Art and Design. These schools are nationally accredited and often place high on university rankings like those in the US News & World Reports. These are just a handful of the institutions you can pursue your animation degree at.
What Schools Offer the Best Animation Bachelor’s Degrees?
- Pratt Institute
- Arizona State University
- University of the Arts
- Regent University
- California Institute of the Arts
What Are the Admission Requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree In Animation?
The admission requirements for a bachelor’s degree in animation vary between schools. However, nearly all schools require the completion of high school or a GED, high school or college transcripts, and sometimes SAT or ACT scores. You may also be required to write a short academic essay, statement of purpose, or artist’s statement. Some schools might also require students to submit letters of recommendation from their teachers or employers.
It’s important to note that the admission requirements for a bachelor’s degree in animation depend entirely on the university you pursue your undergraduate degree at. For example, some schools require applicants to submit artistic portfolios, which may be weighed more heavily than GPAs and standardized test scores.
Animation Bachelor’s Degree Admission Requirements:
- Complete high school or GED
- Meet the school’s minimum GPA requirement
- Send official transcripts to the university
- Get recommendation letters from your teachers or employers
- Compile an artistic portfolio of your previous work
- Send SAT or ACT scores
How to Get an Animation Bachelor’s Degree
You get an animation bachelor’s degree once you fulfill all of your graduation requirements. Obviously, before setting foot on campus, you’ll need to have met all of the school’s admission requirements and been accepted.
Once you’re admitted as an undergraduate student, you’ll work towards meeting your graduation requirements for the next four years. This entails completing roughly 120 credits over eight semesters, typically taking 15 credits per semester. As a culmination of your studies, you’ll also likely need to complete a professional animation portfolio, make a final short film, or do a different senior capstone project.
How Many Credits Do You Need for a Bachelor’s Degree in Animation?
You will need at least 120 credits for a bachelor’s degree in animation. Usually, these credits are completed over four years, which amounts to 15 credits per semester. Among these credits are core credits, general education credits, and elective credits. The type of bachelor’s degree you pursue will further determine exactly how those credits are divided, as a bachelor of science and a bachelor of art slightly differ in terms of concentration.
Animation Degree Requirements
- 40 to 60 credits from general education courses
- 60 to 80 credits from core courses
- 6 to 15 credits from elective courses
- Maintain the school’s minimum undergraduate GPA requirement
- A senior capstone project
Best Animation Bachelor’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview
| School | Program | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|
| Alfred State College of Technology | BS in Digital Media and Animation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) |
| Arizona State University | Bachelor of Science in Graphic Information Technology | Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools |
| California Institute of the Arts | BFA in Character Animation or Experimental Animation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) |
| Drexel University | Animation & Visual Effects | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| Pratt Institute | Digital Arts BFA or Game Arts BFA | New York State Department of Education (NYSED) |
| Regent University | BA in Animation Degree | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) |
| Sam Houston University | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC) |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | BFA in Animation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Bachelor of Science Degree in Animation Technology | Higher Learning Commission |
| University of the Arts | Animation (BFA) | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Best Schools for Animation: Top Animation Bachelor’s Degree Programs
In this section, we’ve detailed the best schools and programs for a bachelor’s degree in animation. This information covers the cost of tuition, graduation rate, admission requirements, application process, and descriptions of each program.
What Is an Animation Bachelor’s Degree?
An animation bachelor’s degree is a post-secondary education program that will prepare you for the professional world, teaching you about the industry, as well as the tools needed to succeed in it. In a four-year degree program, you’ll likely specialize in either 2D or 3D animation, and more broadly learn about character design, storytelling, storyboarding, modeling, and other related topics.
How Important Is a Bachelor’s Degree in Animation?
A bachelor’s degree in animation is incredibly important if you wish to work in animation-related careers in the future. The degree program will help you learn hard, technical skills, such as proficiency in computer literacy, animation programming, front end development, and video game creation.
What Types of Bachelor’s Degrees Can You Get in Animation?
You can get a Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), or Bachelor of Arts (BA) in animation. In general, bachelor’s of science degrees in animation will focus on the computing, programming, and software-end of animation.
A Bachelor of Applied Science in Animation is usually for those who already have real-world experience working in the animation industry and want to upskill. A bachelor’s degree in animation differs from a bachelor’s of fine arts degree in that a BA is more focused on liberal arts and humanities education, whereas the BFA involves more art-specific classes.
Is It Better to Get a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation?
Usually, it is better to get a BFA degree if you are more interested in the artistic aspects of animation, whereas it is better to get a BS in animation if you are more interested in computer science and animation technology. The better option ultimately depends on your professional and educational goals.
What Is the Difference Between an Animation Bachelor’s Degree and an Animation Certificate?
The difference between an animation bachelor’s degree and an animation certificate lies in the program’s intensity, courses, length, and level of education. Usually, animation certificate classes or online animation courses only take a few weeks to months to complete, whereas animation bachelor’s degrees take four years to earn. There are many different institutions that can help you get started in learning animation.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Animation?
The cost of a bachelor’s degree in animation varies based on the university. As a result, the cost ranges from $6,000 to $60,000. In general, the National Center for Education Statistics reports the cost of getting a bachelor’s degree from a public university as an in-state student is, on average, $14,920. It costs $24,746 from a private, for-profit university and $42,163 from a private, non-profit university.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Animation Bachelor’s Degree?
It typically takes four years to complete a full-time bachelor’s degree in animation. Most degree programs require the completion of 120 credits over eight semesters of 15 credits. However, the number of credits varies between schools. Some colleges and universities require the completion of 180 credits or more.
How Hard Is it to Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Animation?
It can be hard to get a bachelor’s degree in animation if you are not tech-savvy, as even 2D animation is primarily done on various computer software these days. Experimental and 3D animation are even more technologically-complicated and ever-evolving in their programming.
Another thing that makes getting a bachelor’s degree in animation hard is the fact that it is a time-intensive, four-year program. Many adults who are working professionals don’t have time to attend a university full-time and for such an extended period.
Why Should You Get an Animation Bachelor’s Degree?
You should get an animation bachelor’s degree if you want to learn the skills needed to thrive in a high-demand, ever-evolving, creativity-driven industry with a great employment rate. In fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the job outlook for special effects artists and animators is incredibly promising, with a 16 percent increase in employment between 2020 and 2030. This is much faster than the national average of eight percent.
Most employers gravitate towards applicants with accredited bachelor’s degrees because they know they can trust the applicant to have succeeded in a rigorous course of study. They want the best special effects artists and animators. The BLS reports that they make roughly $80,000 per year, on average, making the sacrifice of completing a bachelor’s degree one that pays off.
What Courses Do You Need to Take in a Bachelor’s Degree Program in Animation Subject?
The courses you need to take in a bachelor’s program in animation include 3D Character Animation, Character Design, Lighting and Color Theory, Storyboarding, and Gaming Animation, among others. Below are descriptions of these courses in detail.
3D Character Animation
As one of the foundational courses for those aspiring to work in 3D animation, this class focuses on characters, common animation software, human body mechanics, and the movement of characters. You’ll learn how to “rig” a character, which involves mapping out joints and points of movement to capture fluid animated films and shorts.
Character Design
It is important before jumping into animation programs like Maya that animators have compelling characters, as they are the foundation for any story. In this drawing-heavy class, you’ll learn how to craft unique characters in minute detail, both in looks and personality, from the types of shoes they wear to the way they smile.
Lighting and Color Theory
As impressive as it is to be able to effectively sketch outlines of characters, they will not read well in animated films if they are not properly colored and lit. Through this class, you’ll learn how to identify different color phenomena both physical and digital, and how to apply theory and lighting techniques to make your characters look natural in your digital video.
Storyboarding
Storyboarding is the essential art form of breaking down how your story will progress and is used both in animation and live-action films. It involves creating a detailed blueprint for how each scene in your film will look, making a drawing for each individual shot, and diagramming how the “camera” and characters will move in the space. You’ll learn how to translate your artistic vision and scripts into visual images, mapping out a narrative story into a physical space.
Gaming animation
Gaming animation classes use foundations taught in 3D animation classes to create playable characters and render their interactive environments. You’ll also learn the patterns of video game programming so that you can eventually create your own game design.
Continuing Education Paths For Animation Bachelor’s Degree Graduates
Once you’ve completed your animation bachelor’s degree, you can continue your education through a variety of programs, including a master degree, doctorate degree, or professional certificate. While you can certainly get a job with a bachelor’s degree alone, you might want to consider continuing your education to specialize in a specific aspect of animation.
Related Animation Degrees
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What to Look For in the Best Animation Bachelor’s Degree Programs
While a bachelor’s degree in animation will set you up for many careers in animation, it’s important to ensure that you pick a program that has a good reputation and has a specialization you might want to study. Below are our tips for finding your dream school.
Reputation
After looking up an undergraduate degree in animation, you’ll get some good results, but also some schools that do not have a premier academic reputation or strong program in animation. You should research each prospective school’s accreditations, and delve further, seeing where they rank on sites such as US News & World Report.
Curriculum
Once you find a school that is in good-standing, take a look at the specific classes that are offered within its animation program. Make sure foundational classes such as 3D modeling, character design, and storyboarding are present, as well as diverse and exciting elective courses. Additionally, if you know which animation field you want to work in, make sure that the schools you are considering have a specialization in that discipline.
Admission Requirements
Before having your heart set on attending a specific university, make sure that you would be able to meet all of the admission requirements. These vary between each school, but many have a minimum GPA requirement and require specific SAT or ACT scores. Additionally, animation BFA programs usually require a creative portfolio of your work.
Cost of Tuition
Universities differ greatly from one another in their tuition price points, so it is important to look into how much various undergraduate programs cost. If a particular school seems out-of-reach with regard to price, see if you can apply for university scholarships and file your FAFSA for financial assistance. Based on your circumstances, you can usually have your application fees waived if you request it.
Job Placement
A tangible way of seeing where your career path might lead you after graduation is to see where previous alumni tread. Are they often employed at notable television or entertainment networks or work in prolific production companies? If the answer is yes, then you will also have a good chance at success at their alma maters.
What Is the Most Affordable Animation Bachelor’s Degree?
The most affordable animation bachelor’s degrees are Alfred State College of Technology’s BS Degree in Digital Media and Animation and Arizona State University’s Bachelor of Science in Graphic Information Technology. Alfred State College’s tuition is just $7,000 for in-state students and $17,000 for out-of-state students. Arizona State University’s tuition is just $10,000 per semester for in-state students and $25,920 per semester for out-of-state students.
Salary and Job Outlook for Animation Bachelor’s Degree Graduates
After graduating with your undergraduate degree, you’ll be ready to enter the field of animation and choose from a wide variety of careers within it. Below, we’ll discuss the job outlook and employment rate of animation graduates and tell you about the highest-paying animation bachelor’s degree jobs.
How Hard Is it to Get a Job With an Animation Bachelor’s Degree?
It is not hard to get a job with an animation bachelor’s degree, as careers in animation and digital arts are in high demand. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that special effects artists and animators will see a 16 percent growth in employment between 2020 and 2022, which is a much higher rate than most occupations in the country.
What Is the Average Salary for an Animation Bachelor’s Degree?
Holders of an animation bachelor’s degree earn an average salary of $61,000, according to PayScale. This salary will only increase with experience, as animators and special effect artists make $78,790 per year, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This amount will increase over time, as the field will be growing by 16 percent over the next decade.
What Types of Jobs Can You Get With an Animation Bachelor’s Degree?
You can get a wide variety of jobs with an animation bachelor’s degree, from technical careers like being a coder in the gaming industry or a visual effects artist to more traditional art careers like being a character artist or 2D animation artist. Other jobs include working in digital media design, 3D modeling, motion graphics, motion capture, art direction, and video game animation.
Animation Degree Jobs
- Art Director
- Animator
- Character and Background Designer
- Special Effects Artist
- Game Designer
Potential Careers With an Animation Degree
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How Much Money You Can Make With a Bachelor’s Degree in Animation?
With a bachelor’s degree in animation, you can make over $100,000 right out of animation school. Even professionals in this field at the lower end of the earning potential make between $50,000 to $60,000, which is quite impressive as a new graduate. Let’s take a look at some of the best-paying animation bachelor’s degree jobs below.
Highest-Paying Animation Bachelor’s Degree Jobs and Salaries: Overview
| Animation Bachelor Degree Jobs | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Software Developer | $110,140 |
| Art Director | $100,890 |
| Special Effects Artist and Animator | $78,790 |
| Film and Video Editor | $62,680 |
| Graphic Designer | $50,710 |
Best Jobs for Animation Bachelor’s Degree Grads
The best jobs for animation with a bachelor’s degree include art director, mathematical modeling engineer, special effects artist and animator, film and video editor, and graphic designer. Now, we’ll discuss what those careers entail and their respective job outlooks.
Best Jobs According to Your Major
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Is a Bachelor’s Degree in Animation Worth It?
Yes, a bachelor’s degree in animation is very much worth it. Since film and animation technology is growing in complexity, there is a high demand for new animators that can stay on top of the new media developments, which is something that your bachelor’s degree will help you with.
If you have a love for visual art and technology, a bachelor’s in animation is worth considering as a way to combine your two passions into one livelihood. These academic programs give you the skills to work in a visual medium in pretty much every industry, from advertising and film to gaming and medicine, qualifying you for a plethora of exciting careers.
Additional Reading About Animation
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Animation Bachelor’s Degree FAQ
No, you don’t need a bachelor’s degree to be an animator. However, many well-known companies will prefer candidates who have bachelor’s degrees in relevant fields. While it is not essential for every job posting, a bachelor’s degree makes it much easier to land a job as an animator.
Yes, animators are high in demand. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that between 2020 and 2030, the special effects artists and animators industry will see a 16 percent increase in employment. Since animators with bachelor’s degrees took a wide variety of classes, they can find jobs in numerous industries.
Yes, animators are paid well. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the average salary of an entry-level animator is $78,790. This amount varies based on location, level of experience, level of education, and company.
Yes, animation is an art career. It combines drawing characters and their settings, by hand or digitally, with computer software technology to combine these images to bring them to life. In this artistic career, you could be a multimedia artist in other types of animation, which include animating with vector graphics, motion graphics, and even physical stop-motion.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
