Best animation colleges in the U.S.?

I'm really passionate about animation and want to pursue it in college. I've heard some schools have amazing animation programs. Can anyone recommend the best animation colleges in the U.S. and what makes them stand out?

There are quite a few top-notch colleges renowned for their animation curriculums in the U.S. Here are some of them, along with what they're known for:

1. California Institute of the Arts (CalArts): Known as one of the best schools for animation, CalArts offers a dynamic program where students can focus on different types of animation including character animation, experimental animation, and more. The faculty includes professionals from the industry, and the school's alumni include many famous animators and directors.

2. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD): SCAD offers a Bachelor's degree in animation with a focus on professionalism and technical expertise. SCAD also has strong relationships with many big animation studios such as Cartoon Network and Disney, offering students an insight into the professional world.

3. Ringling College of Art and Design: Ringling's undergraduate program in computer animation is top-tier. Its curriculum gives students a firm grounding in the creative use of digital technology to create professional-level portfolio samples. It also provides access to cutting-edge resources and has a high job placement rate.

4. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): RISD offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Film/Animation/Video (FAV) that allows students to explore animation techniques ranging from experimental and narrative film to sound and video. RISD grads have worked on many award-winning films and TV shows.

5. University of Southern California (USC): USC's John C. Hench Division of Animation and Digital Arts offers a comprehensive curriculum that lets students learn various aspects of animation, including visual effects, 3D computer animation, experimental animation, and science visualization.

Remember, it's not only the prestige of the program that's important but whether it aligns with your personal career goals and interests. You should consider aspects like the exact curriculum, faculty, connections to industry, internship opportunities, and graduate outcomes alongside the overall reputation.