CalArts was recently named in The Hollywood Reporter’s inaugural Top Animation Schools list for 2025.
With programs in Character Animation (BFA) and Experimental Animation (BFA, MFA), both housed in the School of Film/Video, CalArts was selected based on survey responses from animation organizations including ASIFA-Hollywood, the Animation Guild, Black N Animated, and LatinX in Animation. The responses were weighted using Department of Education key data, including graduation and retention rates, cost, and other metrics.
Joining CalArts on the list are, in alphabetical order:
- ArtCenter College of Design; Pasadena, California
- Brigham Young University; Provo, Utah
- Cal State University; Long Beach, California
- DePaul University; Chicago
- Gnomon; Los Angeles
- New York University; New York
- Rhode Island School of Design; Providence, Rhode Island
- Ringling College of Art and Design; Sarasota, Florida
- San José State University; San Jose, California
- Savannah College of Art and Design; Savannah, Georgia
- School of Visual Arts; New York
- University of Southern California; Los Angeles.
The Hollywood Reporter noted that animation is at an “inflection point” as it faces the ongoing impact of economic forces as well as the rapid-growth of AI. But it also pointed out that schools and animation organizations are already addressing these challenges through individual and multiyear courses as well as industry events.
To view the entire list as well as the five programs to watch, read America’s Top Animation Schools.
