Gnomon is now $66,000 for their two year program

[KillahPriest]

Yeah I saw this too. I've wanted to attend but now I'm having doubts if it's worth the massive loan I'd have to take out since they don't offer scholarships.

[opus13]

Yeah I saw this too. I've wanted to attend but now I'm having doubts if it's worth the massive loan I'd have to take out since they don't offer scholarships.

Considering that it isn't even an accredited school, I don't think I could ever justify spending that much on a certificate program. Good luck getting funding to whoever thinks it is worth it.

[thematt]

wowooo!! that's massive, no doubt gnomon school is up there on the top in term of education but that's simply out of reach for so many people...in comparaison the school where I work is 3500€ the year! almost 10 time less if you compare that's amazing.

But yeah you got the best of the best for that price I suppose..

cheers

[manofthunder]

However, I am beginning to wonder if getting a three year program at SCAD or Ringling would be the better deal now, especially with more scholarship money available from these institutions. Just a heads up for everyone interested in Gnomon.

Ringling has a very reputable animation program. It's considered by many as the second best school for learning "animation". The first being Cal Arts

[dpendleton]

Wow. Now that is a lot of cash to bust out but no room and board thats crazy. I know that The Dave school was doing something where you get free room and board for the whole time that you are taking the course. Note I am not advertising lol.

[SanjayChand]

Considering that it isn't even an accredited school, I don't think I could ever justify spending that much on a certificate program. Good luck getting funding to whoever thinks it is worth it.

Gnomon is accredited.

[gawl126]

Gnomon is accredited.

And here is that link for that:

http://www.gnomonschool.com/accredidation.php

[taxguy]

Yes, Gnomon is accredited as a vocational school. It isn't accredited by the major accrediting agencies ( the Western Assocation of Schools and Colleges)that accredit most colleges such as CarArts, UC system etc.

[dpendleton]

So can you transfer credits to other colleges? Just curious not that would stop me from going there if I had the money.

[gawl126]

So can you transfer credits to other colleges? Just curious not that would stop me from going there if I had the money.

I doubt you'd be able to transfer credits.

[SanjayChand]

Yes, Gnomon is accredited as a vocational school. It isn't accredited by the major accrediting agencies ( the Western Assocation of Schools and Colleges)that accredit most colleges such as CarArts, UC system etc.

Im fairly certain those other agencies require the schools to offer degrees, and hence general education classes.

[taxguy]

Because Gnomon is not accredited by the major west coast accrediting agency that accredits most colleges ( Western Conference of Schools and Colleges), their credits won't transfer for either undergrad work or grad school.

[SanjayChand]

I wouldnt go there with the intention of transfering somewhere else later.

Almost everyone in my graduating class from Gnomon already had a degree anyhow.

[KillahPriest]

Because Gnomon is not accredited by the major west coast accrediting agency that accredits most colleges ( Western Conference of Schools and Colleges), their credits won't transfer for either undergrad work or grad school.

From what I've read it's more of a finishing school and doesn't try to replace traditional programs. I still want to go there just because of all the opportunities it will afford me. I don't mind being in debt if I can get a job doing what I love to do, but 66k + 10k a year to live in LA (Rent, Food, etc.) is a lot. I'm not sure I could even get a loan for that much. Not to mention the fact that from what I hear you don't have time to work.

I don't know how the full time students in the program manage.

[taxguy]

I would be surprised if you can live on only 10K per year. If you count parking, gas or bus service, food, utilities, housing, internet, insurance and maybe some travel back home once in a while, you need to budget closer to 15K per year for costs outside of Gnomon.

[dpendleton]

Killah Priest look into the Dave school man as I mentioned earlier they have free room and board but that is if you apply before March ends. All you need is food and transportation.

[berniebernie]

It's a little sad to see that you have to be extremely rich or extremely indebted to get a good cg education in the US.

My school is 7k euros/year and it's already way more than most people can afford here. But the difference isn't as skewed...

[eem]

I bet you a dozen families in some third world country could live off that tuition for a year.

[danshewan]

I bet you a dozen families in some third world country could live off that tuition for a year.

What the hell does that have to do with anything?

Anyways, there's a reason that Gnomon grads always land gigs at the best studios - because the quality of the tuition and the specifics of their curriculum is tailored to suit real production environments and situations. Gnomon is easily one of the most respected and well-positioned schools in North America, and is probably one of, if not the best, CG instructional institutions in the world. Take a look at the reels of recent graduates alongside those of other schools, and ask yourself why the work is consistently top-quality. Sure, it's expensive, and not everyone will be able to attend - that's just tough shit, I'm afraid.

So they don't offer degrees for that price - probably because they know that the value of a piece of paper is virtually nil in this industry. If you're set on attaining a degree, there are a plethora of other schools to go to. You want the best CG education, go to Gnomon. Even their DVD series has taught me more than anything I could have learned at a lesser institution because of the quality of the content, and the skill and experience of their tutors.

There are other means to learn the necessary skills and succeed if you're driven enough.

[manofthunder]

Anyways, there's a reason that Gnomon grads always land gigs at the best studios - because the quality of the tuition and the specifics of their curriculum is tailored to suit real production environments and situations. Gnomon is easily one of the most respected and well-positioned schools in North America, and is probably one of, if not the best, CG instructional institutions in the world. Take a look at the reels of recent graduates alongside those of other schools, and ask yourself why the work is consistently top-quality. Sure, it's expensive, and not everyone will be able to attend - that's just tough shit, I'm afraid.

So they don't offer degrees for that price - probably because they know that the value of a piece of paper is virtually nil in this industry. If you're set on attaining a degree, there are a plethora of other schools to go to. You want the best CG education, go to Gnomon. Even their DVD series has taught me more than anything I could have learned at a lesser institution because of the quality of the content, and the skill and experience of their tutors.

There are other means to learn the necessary skills and succeed if you're driven enough.

I would agree with you. Gnomon has one of the best all around CG education one can find, except if you want to be an animator. For learning only animation, there are a lot of other schools with far better education for a lot less money that you can choose.

[earwax69]

Come on, get a software license or even an educational version, open the manual and start the hard work. How do you think those teachers learned?

If you cant learn by yourself, you are in the wrong field.

[taxguy]

I would agree with you. Gnomon has one of the best all around CG education one can find, except if you want to be an animator. For learning only animation, there are a lot of other schools with far better education for a lot less money that you can choose.

I would have agreed,but I haven't seen the changes that Gnomon has made to their Character Animation offerings that is now two full years in duration.

If you filter in the cost that Gnomon charges for its three year digital production- entertainment design program, which is $81,000,however, I am beginning to feel that there are some good, less expensive alternatives such as SCAD with scholarships, Animation Mentor etc. Even Ringling will waive all Gen eds for those with a previous bachelor's degree. Moreover, the credits for these other programs will transfer to any other accredited school if necessary, unlike that of Gnomon.

Bottom line: I always felt that Gnomon was a good deal and provided top quality training. I was certainly a fanboy when I saw what they accomplished for my daughter. However, with the current pricing, I think that there may be better alternatives for the money, especially for those that would have to take out loans anyway.

[KillahPriest]

I just checked my credit report and am 15k im debt from my current school that I'm graduating from in May. I feel like Gnomon would be the best environment for me to be in as far as instructors and location, but I'd have to take out maybe 85k bringing my total debt to 100k....in an art field... lol. I might as well have been a doctor.

[gawl126]

I just checked my credit report and am 15k im debt from my current school that I'm graduating from in May. I feel like Gnomon would be the best environment for me to be in as far as instructors and location, but I'd have to take out maybe 85k bringing my total debt to 100k....in an art field... lol. I might as well have been a doctor.

It's really up to you whether you think that paying that much to attend Gnomon is worth it. Just don't forget that going there doesn't necessarily guarantee that you'll get a job. There will also be other people attending Gnomon with similar goals.

[KillahPriest]

It's really up to you whether you think that paying that much to attend Gnomon is worth it. Just don't forget that going there doesn't necessarily guarantee that you'll get a job. There will also be other people attending Gnomon with similar goals.

Well I think everyone attending will have the same goal - to get a job / improve.

I understand I could stay where I am now and work a retail job after graduating while working on my reel at home, but I don't want it to be secondary. I feel like my progress would be slower if it was something I did after work and alone rather than if I was surrounded by people who want to improve just as much as I do and in (arguably) the best school for doing so.

[Chris25]

I was planning on going to Gnomon as well but f--- me if California is ever going to get out of it's financial crisis. I'd be surprised if there is any part of the state left in five years. I swear half of everyone here seems to be living off the state, exaggerating of course but would not surprise me.

[_vine_]

Anyone know if Gnomon has any form of job placement assistance and what kind of job placement percentages they post, if any? $66-81,000 is a lot easier to swallow if you know you have pretty decent prospects for finding work after school. I graduated art school with only $10k in debt and found it tough to pay the bills for the first couple years after starting to work.

[gawl126]

Anyone know if Gnomon has any form of job placement assistance and what kind of job placement percentages they post, if any? $66-81,000 is a lot easier to swallow if you know you have pretty decent prospects for finding work after school. I graduated art school with only $10k in debt and found it tough to pay the bills for the first couple years after starting to work.

The ads above claim a job placement rate at 90% within the first 3 months. But does that rate include those who were already working in the industry? I don't think it's uncommon for industry professionals to still take classes while they work, right? Aren't there those who get time off from their company to continue their studies?

[eem]

What the hell does that have to do with anything?
.


We're all on the same circle, pyramids are temporary illusion.

[leigh]

Eem, please post constructively or don't post at all.

[taxguy]

ON the Gnomon site, they note that some companies have discounts/subsidies with Gnomon. If you can get a list of these companies and work for them, you might be able to take Gnomon courses at a substantially reduced cost.

[SergiFani]

is Gnomon too expensive for you?
then go to Full Sail University. its 21 months, you get a Bachelor of Science and it only costs 75 thousand dollars!

[KillahPriest]

is Gnomon too expensive for you?
then go to Full Sail University. its 21 months, you get a Bachelor of Science and it only costs 75 thousand dollars!

I can't tell if you're serious or not

[forsakendreams]

ON the Gnomon site, they note that some companies have discounts/subsidies with Gnomon. If you can get a list of these companies and work for them, you might be able to take Gnomon courses at a substantially reduced cost.

Isn't that a catch 22? In order to work for those companies, you would most likely need the training that the Gnomon courses would provide in order to be hired. Of course once you're in you'll be golden.

[Kanga]

It is all relative.
Hire a decent 3d guy for a year and you will pay 100,000 bucks. For an extra 50,000 he or she will probably come to your house. For 66,000 you get a range of top people for 2 years, no contest there. Judging by the exceptional quality of gnomon and their study material I would venture to say the course would be VERY good. No I don't work for them.

Look, if you want to learn for free go to the link on my siggy. You will be out in the cold on your own though and will need to be very determined. You will probably end up buying allot of the gnomon learning material too :).

Everything is expensive if you don't look at or value what you get. I would be very wary of observations by people who have no idea what this vocation is.

[TJFrame]

Wow..back from 94-97, 60K got you a 3 year program at Art Center and an accredited bachelors degree.

Sign of the times I guess. Most you can hope for is to go massively in debt in today's dollars and hope the government inflates away its own debts with inflation thus, reducing your own personal burden since you will be living in an inflated world but paying of smaller pre-inflated monetary amounts. The way things are looking with our national debt that scenario looks very likely. Governments always inflate, so its pretty much a sure thing.

My 94-97 Art Center debt doesn't look so bad compared to 2010 wages. I'm sure your 2010 debt wont look so bad in 2020 :)

[KillahPriest]

How does an entry-mid level position pay on average? I'd hate to come out with a massive debt making 35k/year.

[JasonA]

How does an entry-mid level position pay on average? I'd hate to come out with a massive debt making 35k/year.

This heavily depends on where the job is located, and who youre working for (in addition to your own experience of course) which makes it very hard to determine an average.

But as a quick reality check, not everyone who goes to Gnomon ends up working for a big studio. I know a couple guys who went there, and are good artists, but are earning in the 40-50k range here in LA. and thats not good wages for around here...

[KillahPriest]

..Deleted..

[gawl126]

I'm aware it doesn't guarantee you anything and that everything is subjective, but I was just curious what some of you guys started out making.

In the kind words of leigh:

Please note that we do not allow salary discussions on this site. Cheers.

[Kanga]

Yes no wage discussions please.

[SergiFani]

maybe you can find more info at
http://www.vfxwages.com/

[iconoplast]

Come on, get a software license or even an educational version, open the manual and start the hard work. How do you think those teachers learned?

If you cant learn by yourself, you are in the wrong field.
For the record, you can't purchase educational software unless you can prove that you're attending school. Thus, barring the few companies that still offer personal learning editions, you can't use educational licenses to teach yourself unless you want to enroll somewhere for at least a semester.

[meleseDESIGN]

Come on, get a software license or even an educational version, open the manual and start the hard work. How do you think those teachers learned?

If you cant learn by yourself, you are in the wrong field.

If you think that´s the way everyone should go, then there would be no need for such schools anymore. It is not a wise advice you´re given here. You can´t lern all the skills just by your own, you allways need someone to help you to improve your skills. Going to a school like Gnomon is probably one of the best path you can pick.

Sure, there are also other alternatives where you can learn the basics, but there are also a lot places out there where you can waste a lot of your expansive time too. Gnomon wont waste your expansive time for sure. At Gnomon you learn fast, you will be able to produce high quality stuff in a very differnt way and environment.

66K$ isn´t cheap, there you´re right, but it´s definite worth the money.
You can´t contest the validity of Gnomon if you never have been there.

;)

[taxguy]

When Gnomon was 45K per year, I felt that it was a great deal for what they offered. They might still have great training,but at 33K per year(which is the cost for Gnomon), there are now some good alternatives such as SCAD, ACCD, Academy of Art,SVA, even Pratt and NYU's CADA program etc especially if you can get any scholarships. In addition, there are online programs such as animation mentor that are much less expensive too.

[GoldenCamel]

I say forget schools altogether. Learn on your own. It's cheaper, it's harder and in the end, it's way more satisfying! It only needs dedication and discipline.

[ulb]

Looking from here in Belgium where I paid 300$ a year for my studies in computer science, this price looks like a big joke. I can't understand how people would pay for that when they could learn everything by themselves for a tenth of the price.

A good portfolio would be a better thing than any studies to find a job.

[CGTalk Moderation]

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.