So you're dreaming of Pixar, Netflix, or maybe launching your own animated series on YouTube? 

Whether you sketch characters in the margins of your notebook or animate full-blown stories on your tablet, choosing the top animation schools in the US is your first power move. But with so many programs, rankings, and tuition costs floating around, it’s easy to feel... animatedly overwhelmed. That’s where this amber super guide comes in!

We’ve combed through the best animation schools in the US, decoded their degrees, and translated all that academic speak into something you can actually use. Whether you're into 3D, stop motion, or digital storytelling, these animation colleges in the United States of America(USA) aren’t just popular, they’re proven launchpads for creative careers. Let’s break it all down, from campuses to career stats, so you can find the school that matches your vibe (and your budget)

The 10 Best Animation Schools in the US (Ranked & Explained)

These Top Animation Schools in the US consistently appear in global rankings due to their industry-aligned curricula, studio partnerships, and high post-graduation employment rates.

1. California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)

CalArts is basically the Harvard of animation schools, founded by Walt Disney himself. So yeah, it’s kind of a big deal! Their BFA in Character Animation is hands-on from day one, and grads head straight into studios like Pixar and Netflix. If you're serious about storytelling and want to train at one of the top animation schools in the US, CalArts is where big dreamers go pro.

2. Ringling College of Art and Design

Ringling doesn’t just teach animation, it launches careers with stunning precision, thanks to a program ranked among the best animation schools in the US. Students get access to cutting-edge labs, award-winning instructors, and recruiters from DreamWorks and Blizzard show up at graduation. It’s one of the rare animation colleges in the United States where job offers often come before your diploma does.

3. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)

SCAD’s animation program is built like a studio, collaborative, fast-paced, and shockingly real-world. You’ll get full exposure to 2D, 3D, and stop motion, plus career fairs that feel more like film festivals. It’s easily one of the top US animation colleges for students who want options and a network that goes way beyond graduation.

4. University of Southern California (USC)

USC’s animation and digital arts programs combine Hollywood access with seriously deep technical training. You'll be learning in Los Angeles, surrounded by actual working animators, and it’s one of the animation schools that USA studios actually scout from. If you want that rare mix of prestige and creative freedom, USC’s where it’s at.

5. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)

RISD is about building animators who can direct, write, and absolutely slay storyboards. With its BFA in Film/Animation/Video, it’s easily one of the most well-rounded and conceptual animation degree programs in the US. Plus, Seth MacFarlane studied here, and he made Family Guy, so… mic drop?

6. New York University (Tisch)

Tisch School of the Arts mixes indie vibes with full-on studio energy, which makes it one of the most dynamic animation schools in the US. Whether you’re into experimental animation or aiming for feature films, this program helps you build a reel that speaks loud. It’s all happening in NYC, so connections? Everywhere.

7. School of Visual Arts (SVA)

School of Visual Arts BFA in Animation hits hard with 2D, 3D, and stop motion, all backed by instructors who’ve worked on everything from Spider-Verse to Arcane. As one of the best-known animation colleges in the USA, SVA delivers not just skills, but a resume full of short films, internships, and software fluency. It's where hustle meets high-end creativity.

8. Pratt Institute

Pratt leans into the art-meets-tech zone, where animators don’t just draw, they innovate. This top US animation college gives you serious freedom to experiment, backed by New York’s creative energy and a faculty full of working professionals. If you want a school that treats animation like an art and a science, Pratt hits the sweet spot.

9. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)’s animation track fuses design, coding, robotics, and storytelling into something that’s equal parts futuristic and insanely employable. The IDeATe program lets you mix animation with game design, AR/VR, or interactive media, which is why it's one of the most unique animation degree programs in the US. It’s not for slackers, but if you’re serious, it’s elite.

10. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)

RIT knows what’s up when it comes to 3D, VFX, and game animation, and their grads walk right into companies like Epic Games and Blue Sky. Their labs are packed with gear, and the curriculum keeps pace with what the industry actually wants. It’s easily one of the most practical and future-focused animation schools USA has to offer.

Scholarships Available at Top Animation Schools in the US

Paying for art school? Yeah, it can be a beast, but scholarships are your side quest with serious loot. The best animation schools in the US actually offer pretty generous aid if you know where to look (and apply early). 

Whether it’s CalArts handing out merit money for killer portfolios or SVA rewarding GPA + creativity, there’s cash on the table for people like you. 

Some even cover full tuition if your work screams “next-gen Pixar.” So don’t sleep on this, scholarships aren’t just for the brainiacs or athletes. Animators hustle, too, and schools want to invest in your talent.

WOW: CalArts grads earn a median starting salary of $66,000, with alumni working at Pixar, Netflix, and Disney; proof that the best animation colleges in the USA open real doors.

Conclusion

Alright, deep breath. Picking from the top animation schools in the US isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to feel impossible. You don’t need the “perfect” school. You just need one that gets what you’re about and helps you build something real. Whether you’re into character design, world-building, or motion graphics, there’s a place out there that fits your creative mess perfectly. According to Animation Career Review, these top animation schools in the US have an average job placement rate above 85% within six months of graduation, making them a smart investment for aspiring creatives.

At the end of the day, this is your story, your weird, funny, beautifully chaotic animation journey.

These animation colleges in the USA? They’re just the first frame. What matters more is what you bring into the scene. So take your time, trust your gut, and don’t let rankings be the only thing that speaks. You’ve got the ideas. Now find the place that helps bring them to life.