New York is easily one of the best states to study animation. There are a ton of interesting and fulfilling Animation schools available in New York.
The best animation schools in New York are listed here, ranked according to how well they perform in animation research. The ratings of publications, which were then corrected for release dates and added to final scores, were calculated using a graph of the 16.3K citations earned by 401 academic papers produced by 10 universities in New York State.
There are a ton of interesting and fulfilling Animation schools available in New York. So much so that you might not even know where to start.
The goal of these animation schools or colleges in New York(NYC) is to prepare the next generation to become animators and visual effects artists for a growing and competitive industry.
Why Study Animation in New York?
New York City is home to independent film and the international testing ground for actors. Your energy and culture 24/7 will inspire you to create and reach the highest level. As a student, you will be immersed in the heart of this great city that will be part of your movies and your life.
Basically, Animation has come a long way in recent decades. It has applications that range from advertising to special effects through video games.
Animation is not basically a cartoon for children to enjoy after a long day in school. Whether online or on the big screen, animation schools are in great demand. So it is a good time to consider getting your degree.
One of the best animation schools, the New York Film Academy has an award-winning faculty of professional animators. And visual artists who can share a lot of industry secrets and practical knowledge with future practitioners. They bring years of experience in the innovative design of films and games design for the intensive and interactive teaching program of the NYFA.
What to Look for in an Animation Degree Program
When evaluating animation programs, here are some things you should look out for:
- Curriculum: The program should cover a range of animation techniques, including 2D, 3D, and stop-motion animation. It should also provide instruction in the use of industry-standard software.
- Faculty: The program should be taught by experienced and talented animators with professional experience in the field.
- Facilities: The school should have state-of-the-art facilities, such as computer labs and animation studios, to provide you with the tools to gain hands-on experience.
- Industry Connections: Look for a program with connections in the industry and a good alumni network. Both will be helpful when you’re ready to look for an internship or job after graduating.
- Financial Implications: Consider the cost of tuition and the availability of financial aid, scholarships, or grants. If you’re torn between a couple of great programs, it’s always smart to go with the one that will give you the biggest financial aid package.
Competencies Required for Animation
Gaining mastery in Animation is not a profession for every Tom and Harry. To thrive in the animation industry, animators must do more than simply draw know-how.
There are fundamental abilities and character traits you’ll need to employ so as to thrive in the world of Animation. The most crucial quality among the abilities needed for a job in animation and gaming is creativity.
Although it isn’t strictly required, you should be passionate about sketching and drawing because it is extremely helpful in practically every element of the industry.
Additionally, it’s crucial to comprehend visual communication and have the ability to convey a tale through it. It also helps to be patient and pay attention to the details.
The use of 3D animation has grown significantly during the past few years, particularly in New York. As a result, having the ability to create visual elements using computer tools is equally crucial. While applying physics and mathematical knowledge is also crucial.
It’s good to be aware of the employment options that artistic and technical talents acquired through an animation degree can lead to. particularly in the film industry and various other creative and digital vocations.
Best Animation Schools in New York
Basically, there are a lot of institutions and colleges in New York City (NYC) that offer programs in animation. In New York, many of the universities and institutions with animation programs only grant bachelor’s degrees. However, interested students can also discover associate’s, master’s, and certificate programs in animation in New York.
The rating of each school is determined by adding up the number of Animation programs. Additionally, the acceptance rate, the number of awards, the student-to-teacher ratio, and the graduation rate.
Here are the Best Animation Schools in New York
- Pratt Institute
- New York University
- St. John’s University
- School of Visual Arts
- Fashion Institute of Technology
- Hostos Community College
- New York Film Academy
- Syracuse University
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- Marist College
- Daemen College
1. Pratt Institute – Best Animation Schools in New York
At Pratt Institute, BFA students learn the art of 2d and 3d animation by taking extensive coursework in history, theory, and the role of digital art in media.
with its primary campus in Brooklyn, New York, the Pratt Institute program specifically focuses on contemporary applications of art, and students are exposed to digital animation, motion arts, and interactive designs directly from a competent faculty.
Because the program’s coursework is diverse, hence students are expected to apply their learning in liberal arts courses to substantial artworks.
By the end of the program, undergraduate students are expected to be sufficiently prepared, whether they embark on graduate students or become working professionals who are highly sophisticated in aesthetics and digital media design.
Pratt Institute is therefore one of the top colleges and schools for animation in New York (NYC).
- The ratio of Acceptance: is 58%
- 63% of students graduate.
- 11:1 student-to-teacher ratio
- Program Offered: Animation and digital art ( B.F.A. and M.F.A. in Digital Arts)
- Tuition: $12,847 per credit (12–18 undergraduate credits) or $51,754 annually (Graduate Credits)
Degree Programs Available
Undergraduates study in one of three Digital Arts Concentrations:
While the Graduate concentrates on Interactive Arts, Digital Imaging, and 3D Animation & Motion Arts. Graduate students may also pursue a Dual Degree in Digital Arts/Information and Library Sciences
2. New York University – Best Animation Schools in New York
A total of 51, 848 students attend New York University, including 26,733 undergraduates and 25,115 graduate students.
A private research university with its headquarters in New York, NYU. The venerable NYU campus is situated in Lower Manhattan’s Greenwich Village and dates back to 1831. Additionally, NYU has academic centers in Accra, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Florence, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Paris, Prague, Sydney, Tel Aviv, and Washington, D.C. in addition to its award-winning campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai.
You can get ready for the needs of a media environment that are changing quickly with the help of the Bachelor of Science in Communication and Digital Media (DCoM). You will gain aesthetic and technical expertise in a range of digital media during this hands-on curriculum, from design principles to interactive or animated design and filmmaking.
The Department of Art and Art Professions requires 16 points for the degree in Digital Art and Minor Design. The required Design I and Design II courses may be taken in any sequence or concurrently. Working with artists and digital designers in fields like interaction design, graphic design, and art direction will teach you everything you need to know.
As a result, New York University is among the best animation schools in New York.
- 32% Acceptance Rate
- 85% of students graduate.
- Programs Offered: B.S. in Digital Communications and Media.
Degrees Program Available
3. The School of Visual Arts – Best Animation Schools in New York
Also, making the list of The best animation schools in New York is The School of Visual Arts, New York.
The Animation Department at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) has three pathways for animators: Animation, Computer Art, and Computer Animation and Visual Effects. Leading to a BFA, all programs emphasize hands-on experience; mentors who are accomplished special effects artists, directors, and character designers; and working relationships with independent animators across New York, and alumni-owned Augenblick Studios, Plymptoons, and Titmouse. As interns and part-time employees, SVA Animation students have produced animations for non-profit organizations and public service organizations such as UNESCO, Ted-ED, and UNICEF.
Students in all BFA programs will train on the latest industry software including Maya, Adobe Animate, Storyboard Pro, After Effects, and Toon Boom Harmony. SVA Animation students will also participate in the School of Visual Arts Thesis Celebration, where their best work will be presented to industry professionals and other prominent figures in the world of art.
Graduates of the Animation, Computer Art, and Computer Animation and Visual Effects BFA programs at SVA have gone on to win awards presented by the Academy of Motion Pictures, The International Animation Festival, and the Association of International Film Animators (ASIFA). Graduates have also won awards for their short and feature films at numerous festivals around the world.
SVA Animation alumni can be found at independent animation studios worldwide and at major studios such as DreamWorks, Lucasfilm Animation, Warner Bros. Animation, Nickelodeon, Sony Pictures Animation, and Disney Animation Studios.
At the graduate level, the Computer Arts Department at the School of Visual Arts has an MFA Program in Computer Arts. SVA is also known for its Continuing Education (CE) Animation courses, which are designed to help students improve their skills through hands-on exercises and workshops. CE Animation students have the opportunity to create their own shorts.
The SVA MFA Computer Arts Department was the first MFA Program in the U.S. to focus on computer art. Established in 1986, the program features workshops, guest lectures, visiting artists, and internship experiences. During the final year of the program, MFA students will complete academic research and creative work accompanied by an artist’s statement.
Graduates of the SVA MFA in Computer Arts Program have been hired at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), MTV, Pixar, Google, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Electronic Arts (EA), and Disney, DreamWorks. Some alumni have gone on to open their own studios or win Academy, Emmy Award, and Grammy awards.
Degrees Program Available
School of Visual Arts undergraduate program for animation has 36 courses which comprise: Acting for Animators: Expressions and Body Language, and many more.
To earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Animation at SVA, students must complete 120 credits as follows:
Also, they have continuing education courses which include
4. Fashion Institute of Technology – Best Animation Schools in New York
In Manhattan, New York, there is a public university called the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). It is a part of the State University of New York (SUNY) and concentrates on the fashion industry’s art, commerce, design, mass communication, and technology. In 1944, it was founded.
The School of Art and Design offers seventeen career options, and the Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology offer ten, all leading to A.A.S., B.F.A., or B.S. degrees. A degree in Art History and Museums as well as a degree in Cinema and Media are also available from the School of Liberal Arts.
Seven programs at the Graduate School of Studies lead to a Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, or a Master of Professional Studies.
The licensing programs at FIT for animation, interactive media, and game design are among the most comprehensive in the nation.
Through a series of classes in a real-world production setting, you will get a strong foundation in 3D modeling and animation. This also covers sound editing, music, effects, sound design, modeling, rigging, animation, lighting, camera, composition, storyboarding, scripting, and storyboarding.
Additionally, it will plan and create an interactive group project or thesis using a range of media, including live performance, physical computing, map projection, virtual reality environments, augmented reality, computer cameras, and other cutting-edge technology.
The demand for skilled and talented animators and experts in interactive media is at an all-time high due to the exponential expansion of 3D animation, video games, and interactive entertainment.
The production of animated 3D content, visual effects, and moving pictures for movies and television is centered in New York City. Graduates from this curriculum are employed in these regions in all areas of production.
As a result, the Fashion Institute of Technology is among the best animation schools in New York
Degrees Program Available
FIT offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Animation, Interactive Media, & Game Design. Basically, in this two-year program, you will focus on:
5. New York Film Academy – Best Animation Schools in New York
A for-profit school for acting, theater, and animation, The New York Film Academy is situated in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. The former film, television, and theatrical producer Jerry Sherlock established the New York Film Academy in 1992. It was first located at the Tribeca Film Center.
There are only 1,080 undergraduate students at this modest college. The admission percentage for the NYFA in New York City (NYC) is 100%. Visual arts, theater, film, and video production, as well as 3D animation, are popular professional paths. 73% of students at NYFA New York (NYC) received their degrees.
We distinguish ourselves at NYFA Animation School by emphasizing the creative, technical, and practical abilities required to bring CG-enhanced stories to life and actively preparing students for the demands of academic life. professional.
The New York Film Academy, one of the top schools for animation, provides state-of-the-art professional facilities and equipment so that our students can gain hands-on experience using industry-standard software like 3D Maya, Mudbox, Autodesk MotionBuilder, Pixologic ZBrush digital sculptor, SideFX Houdini FX, Chaos V-Ray, and the Foundry Nuke program.
Consequently, the New York Film Academy is among the best animation schools in New York
Degrees Program Available
6. Hostos Community College – Best Animation Schools in New York
A community college in the CUNY (City University of New York) system, Eugenio Mara de Hostos Community College of New York is situated in the South Bronx, New York. A Higher Education Council Act from 1968 created Hostos Population College in response to pleas from the Hispanic and Puerto Rican community for the establishment of a university to serve the residents of the South Bronx.
The digital design and animation curriculum at the school provides students with a strong foundation for their future careers in animation, graphic design, and/or web design through the school’s sequence of intense courses and courses of study.
In order to assist students to develop their technical and artistic abilities, the curriculum places a strong emphasis on using industry-standard technologies. Particularly the one required to plan, research, and develop graphic solutions to communication issues.
Students in this program have the option to take a core of courses that include media history, color theory, 2D design, and an introduction to the design software programs required to produce a variety of media.
As a result, one of the top animation schools and colleges in New York is the Eugenio Mara de Hostos Community College (NYC).
7. St. John’s University – Best Animation Schools in New York
A private Catholic university in New York is called St. John’s University. The school was first established and run by the Congregation of the Mission (BC, the Vincentian Fathers) in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn in 1870. The school was relocated to its current location, Utopia Parkway, in Hillcrest, Queens, in the 1950s.
Additionally, St. John has campuses in Rome, Italy, as well as Staten Island and Manhattan in New York. The university also maintains academic centers in Paris (France), Limerick, and the Long Island Graduate Center in Hauppauge (Ireland). San Juan Bautista inspired the naming of the university.
Your B.F.A. in Illustration helps you advance your understanding of the production of pictures in both analog and digital mediums. He will become proficient in using a variety of media and using the technical abilities needed for each.
Throughout the process of creating an image, an illustrator brings a story to life. Books, advertisements, apparel, packaging, store displays, movies, graphics, video games, animations, character creation, and social media all make extensive use of it.
The National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), a group of elite art schools across the nation, has awarded the Department of Arts and Design its renowned accreditation.
Because of this, St. John’s University is regarded as one of the best animation schools in New York
Degrees Program Available
8. Syracuse University – Best Animation Schools in New York
Private research university Syracuse University (often known as Syracuse, Cuse, or SU) is situated in Syracuse, New York. The campus is situated on one of Syracuse’s biggest hills in the University Hill district, east and southeast of the city center. One of the top colleges and universities in New York for animation is Syracuse University.
On its wide campus, a diverse array of buildings, from modern constructions to 19th-century neo-Romanesque architecture, may be seen.
There are 13 schools and colleges at SU, and its information and library science, architecture, communications, business management, education, and welfare programs are all nationally renowned. include the School of Arts and Sciences, Public Administration, Engineering, and Sports Management.
A highly concentrated yet unrestricted practice can move through a network of linked disciplines when computer art and animation are combined into cinema, artistic video, and artistic photography within the transmedia department.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree in Arts and Computer Animation is devoted to investigating the potential of digital media in a creative, experimental, and cultural setting. The degree program instructs students on a variety of artistic tools, with the computer serving as the main character.
Computer-generated visuals, 3D computer animation, physical computing, imaginative computer programming, computer games, computer-assisted music, and sound art are some examples of these media. Students receive training to develop into highly skilled critical thinkers who create art in both individual and group settings.
Due to this, Syracuse University is regarded as one of the top colleges and universities for animation in New York (NYC).
Degrees Program Available
9. Rochester Institute of Technology – Best Animation Schools in New York
At Rochester Institute of Technology, students are immersed in the world of graphic arts and animation by focusing on different forms of creative media. Students specifically deal with drawing motion, technical drawing, digital video, anatomical drawing, materials and motion, 3D modeling, and production pipeline.
At Rochester Institute, students are taught to appreciate the value of moving art expressions and to visualize how they might innovate this growing field of graphic design. Hence, their comprehensive program equips graduates to explore and experiment with different forms of creative media.
The film industry places a strong emphasis on production using visual and sound artists as well as hands-on expertise with cameras, editing software, and audio equipment. Finally, the specialization enhances student production abilities and advances film and animation as a creative medium.
Above all, The Rochester Institute of Technology is among the best animation schools in New York
Degrees Program Available
Focus on production, screenwriting, 2D animation, 3D animation, or stop motion animation, while exploring the artistic, technical, historical, and business aspects of the motion picture industry.
10. The New School – Best Animation Schools in New York
Private research university The New School is situated in New York. It was established in 1919 as a brand-new social research institution with the original goals of fostering intellectual inquiry and academic independence as well as providing a haven for progressive intellectuals.
Beginning their university studies, New School Bachelors of Fine Arts students immerse themselves in coursework and laboratory work in creative computing, the real world, and aesthetic design.
Before completing official internships and outside projects, students hone their talents by concentrating on typography and interaction. Sponsored primarily in advertising design, animation graphics, production design, and branding.
Animation, game design, motion graphics, and interface design are available as specializations for students enrolled in the design and technology degree.
In contrast, illustration program students start with the second and third animations before gaining a lot of hands-on expertise with visual storytelling. Additionally, students will benefit from more pertinent professional skills once they enter the field, such as visual culture, painting, color theory, and more.
Because of this, New School is regarded as one of the best animation schools in New York
Degrees Program Available
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Most Famous Animator?
Only one name come to mind when it comes to the most famous animator and it’s Walt Disney.
Where did most Disney Animators attend college?
You might be shocked to learn that numerous Disney directors, animators, and yes, even LEGENDS, all attended the same university. It’s not a surprise that Disney talent frequently attends the California Institute of the Arts or CalArts.
How much does an Animator make hourly at companies like Walt Disney in the United States?
The average hourly wage for an Animator at companies like The Walt Disney in the United States is $30 as of January 26, 2023, but the range typically falls between $25 and $35. Hourly rate can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession
Is a Career in Animation Difficult?
Change your career – It’s really challenging to work in the animation industry. Instead of doing all the other intricate work required to create an animation, everyone wants to be a character animator.
