Computer animation programs in the United States are among the most prominent and respected in the world. Likewise, degrees from computer animation programs in the United States are the most competitive on the job market. This article will help international students identify some of the top schools for computer animation in the US, as well as distinguish between the sorts of programs offered by these institutions.
The digital content produced by computer animators is a staple feature across the board in multimedia. Television, film, video games, advertisements, and all sorts of other digital media rely upon the skills of individuals with computer animation degrees to bring their content to life. These animators handle the production of 3D content as large as the dazzling special effects typical of Hollywood blockbuster films, and as small as web banner advertisements. Moreover, the career opportunities for international students taking on a computer animation major have never been better, with industries beyond that of the entertainment-related fields (such as forensic science and medicine) finding themselves in dire need of the skills of computer animators to operate and design forensic modeling software and technologies.
What skills do you need to excel?
It’s not surprising that many international students have decided to turn their interests and skills in the fields of art and/or computer science into the foundation of a lucrative and fulfilling career in computer animation—which, as a discipline, draws from both fine arts and computer science. The decision to study computer animation in the US is one that promises a rewarding career wherein creative and computer savvy individuals produce the 3D content that typifies today's multimedia.
Why study computer animation?
There are many reasons international students cite for their decision to study computer animation in the United States, and chief among them are references to the thriving computer animation industry in the United States, as well as the number of top schools for computer animation located in the nation. This article will help international students identify some of the best schools for computer animation as well as provide some information about the institutions to help international students narrow down their prospective choices.
Computer Animation Programs
Visit the Study in the USA School search to find schools that offer programs of study in Computer Animation.
Featured Schools with Computer Animation Programs
Featured Schools with Computer Animation Programs
How to choose your top school?
The importance of choosing the proper institution at which to study computer animation is of the utmost importance for any international student. However, given the number of highly respected computer animation programs in the United States, deciding which institution is the proper fit will depend upon more than just a program's respective ranking. Perhaps the most important factor in determining a particular international student's best schools for computer animation will be their desired application of the computer animation degree. The potential roles a computer animation graduate can hold in the professional world are numerous and distinct, and different programs offer specializations and emphases in different skills within discipline. Therefore, it is recommended that international students hoping to find the best schools for computer animation give some thought to what application they would like to give their computer animation degree (whether they will work as a lighting artist, concept artist, 3D architect, motion capture artist, or object modeler) and narrow down potential institutions based on that key limiting factor.
Okay, so what are the top schools?
The top schools for computer animation in the US are ranked quite highly at the international level. Both the international and domestic renown of computer animation programs in the US rests upon a number of factors, such as: 1) the quality and rigor of curriculum, 2) the number of active and successful projects with which the department is involved, and 3) job placement rate of graduates. Studying at one of the top schools for computer animation will allow international students to pursue highly marketable degrees that will be valued in the workforce—whether in the United States, or abroad. Given these criteria, the top schools for computer animation in the United States are widely held to be:
- School of Visual Arts (SVA), New York, NY
- Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL
- California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), Valencia, CA
- Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY
- Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, MN
- Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Savannah, GA
- Yale University, New Haven, CT
- Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
- University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Best Schools for Computer Animation in the United States
Remember, while the above list represents the top schools for computer animation in the United States, those international students who want to study computer animation in the US will need to investigate the particulars of some of the computer animation programs offered at these institutions so as to become familiar with the particular approach and focus of any prospective department, and determine which institutions are the best schools for computer animation based on a particular student's career goals. Given the accessibility of these top schools for computer animation, it is no surprise that the decision to pursue this opportunity-rich field of study has proven so popular amongst international students.