Best Animation Programs in the USA?

I'm interested in studying animation and was wondering which schools in the USA are considered top-notch for this field. Does anyone have recommendations on where to apply if I want to focus on animation?

Absolutely, there are several top-notch schools recognized for their robust animation programs throughout the United States.

1. California Institute of the Arts (CalArts): CalArts is renowned for its strong animation program, and it's known for producing many graduates who have made significant contributions to the animation industry.

2. Ringling College of Art and Design: This college offers a specialized Bachelor of Fine Arts in Computer Animation, which is highly respected in the industry.

3. University of Southern California (USC): The John C. Hench Division of Animation & Digital Arts at USC offers advanced education in the multiple fields of animation.

4. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): RISD's animation program focuses on the integration of experimental animation with more traditional techniques, allowing students to create distinct and innovative animations.

5. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU): CMU's Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts program allows students to specialize in animation and special effects. This combines technical computer science skills with artistic understanding, which is highly valuable in the animation industry.

6. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD): SCAD's animation program offers comprehensive studies in traditional, 2-D, and 3-D animation. It's great for those interested in a wide scope of animation studies.

7. University of Central Florida (UCF): UCF's Character Animation program is a limited access program that is part of the Emerging Media track and is for juniors and seniors only. Thus, students typically apply to UCF as Art or Emerging Media B.F.A. pending majors and change their major when they get accepted into the Character Animation program.

Keep in mind, each program will offer a unique approach to animation so look into the curriculum and explore the works of the professors and alumni to see which school’s style aligns with your artistic preferences. Best of luck in finding the perfect fit for you!