School for B.S. in Computer Animation

[ICArtist]

I was looking into a college/university to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation (3D focused). Unfortunately, as far as job placement, I would have a difficult time getting a job in the animation/game art field with a B.F.A. So now I’m researching where to get a Bachelor of Science (or at the least a Bachelor of Art) in computer animation. So far, it has been more difficult to find schools with that degree. Also, I don’t know what schools have a good program for obtaining that degree. Full Sail University looks the best so far. That is, until I saw the painful cost for tuition.

I would really appreciate if there is someone in the forums that can tell me a good school to go to for a Bachelor of Science in 3D Computer Animation.

[taxguy]

Deleted due to accidentally creating multiple posts.

[taxguy]

1, Ringling: widely considered the best 3d animation school in North America
2. Sheriden Institute in Canada, also considered close in reputation to that of Ringling.
3. School of Visual Arts in Manhattan: It has a very strong program in both 3d (with its computer art program) and 2d with its animation program. Being in Manhattan also gives it access to some top people and good contacts. In fact, some of the top people from Blue Sky studios ( think Ice Age and Rio) teach there. The only real negative is that it is a for profit school and thus gives out very few scholarships.
4. Pratt Institute. A good program for both 2d and 3D like SVA. However, Pratt has both pros and cons compared to SVA. The pro is that they are a non profit and give out a LOT more in scholarship aid. The con is that they tend to be less commercially oriented and more fine art oriented and experimental, according to one faculty member who teaches at both schools.
5. FIT: new program and part of state university system. Don’t know much about them
6. RIT: Up and coming program for both 2d and 3d. Curriculum was developed with input by both faculty and students. I think it is a very good program. However, alumni have stated that they don’t have many industry connections because it is a relatively new program.
7. SCAD: Reputably has a strong 2d and 3d program akin to that of SVA. However, being in Savannah, I don’t see how they have the same connections as that of Pratt and SVA. However, I don’t know enough about them personally.
8. Parsons also offers a program in video and media with animation. I don’t know anything about Parsons other than they are expensive.

There they are:

Note, I didn’t mention either USC or CalArts, or RISD all of which are considered top notch. The reason is that they are very well known for 2d traditional animation and just give lip service to 3D. The same can be said for UCLA.

Final note: Much of what I published is based on ratings and hearsay from faculty and students. You will need to check out each school for their offerings, emphasis and culture.

[ICArtist]

1, Ringling: widely considered the best 3d animation school in North America
2. Sheriden Institute in Canada, also considered close in reputation to that of Ringling.
3. School of Visual Arts in Manhattan: It has a very strong program in both 3d (with its computer art program) and 2d with its animation program. Being in Manhattan also gives it access to some top people and good contacts. The only real negative is that it is a for profit school and thus gives out very few scholarships.
4. Pratt Institute. A good program for both 2d and 3D like SVA. However, Pratt has both pros and cons compared to SVA. The pro is that they are a non profit and give out a LOT more in scholarship aid. The con is that they tend to be less commercially oriented and more fine art oriented and experimental, according to one faculty member who teaches at both schools.
5. FIT: new program and part of state university system. Don’t know much about them
6. RIT: Up and coming program for both 2d and 3d. Curriculum was developed with input by both faculty and students. I think it is a very good program. However, alumni have stated that they don’t have many industry connections because it is a relatively new program.
7. SCAD: Reputably has a strong 2d and 3d program akin to that of SVA. However, being in Savannah, I don’t see how they have the same connections as that of Pratt and SVA. However, I don’t know enough about them personally.
8. Parsons also offers a program in video and media with animation. I don’t know anything about Parson other than they are expensive.

There they are:

Note, I didn’t mention either USC or CalArts, or RIDS all of which are considered top notch. The reason is that they are very well known for 2d traditional animation and just give lip service to 3D. The same can be said for UCLA.

Final note: Much of what I published is based on ratings and hearsay from faculty and students. You will need to check out each school for their offerings, emphasis and culture.

If you have been reading my post, I’m looking for schools that offer a Bachelor of Science (B.S), NOT a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A) or a Bachelor of Arts (B.A).

I know that most schools offer mainly art degrees for animation. Yet, I would have a better time landing a job with a B.S. in Computer Animation (or a similar degree).

[wilson22]

East Tennessee State University offers an regionally accredited B.S. in computer animation.

[cgs-john]

To be honest, the initials of your degree will probably be fairly low down on the list of things that will get you a job in the “animation/game art field”.

However, if you are still resolved on having a Bachelor of Science degree, the University of Utah offers something that you might be interested in. As listed on their website (http://eae.utah.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/ ) they offer the following:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science - School of Computing - Entertainment Arts and Engineering Emphasis

[taxguy]

If you insist on a BS in computer science with animation.

Check out Digipen that has a BS in computer science and game design or computer science and real time interactive simulation. Also check out University of Pennsylvania.

[MrPositive]

As shocking as it sounds, many large public schools do now. As far as quality goes, you’ll have to check out each respective school’s websites individually.

Saying that, when it comes to character animation and getting jobs, you really have to focus on that one subject intensely. Which means that a BS would more than likely force you to focus on other disciplines outside of animation. Therefore, character animation moreso than any of the other disciplines in CG, extremely caters to the online courses for job placement success in my opinion. I was able to help students get jobs in basically every single field of CG art for a decade, except character animation. In the end, I basically just resorted to showing the basics and fundamentals and then escorting them to the online power classes.

[smalone3d]

Having a BFA versus a BS or BA really isn’t going to mean much when you’re applying for jobs. Most of them won’t care if you even have a degree at all. Your reel is king. Ultimately, nothing else matters nearly as much.

Another note about Full Sail, it’s for-profit, and generally for-profit institutions are lower quality, lack proper regional accreditation, and so on.

Hope that helps!

[rhinton]

Yes, please do everything you can to not attend FullSail University…

Myself and other classmates are still reeling from college tuition costs, several that I know just aren’t even paying back the loans because the interest rates are so high and they have little mouths to feed.

To restate what others have typed up, it’s about your work, not about the degree. Don’t waste a bunch of money on a school that you might get frustrated with later.
Also, if you’re going to blow 100k on tuition, get into something that has higher returns out of the gate, like programming for games.
Heck, even buying a piece of property with that money, and renting it out, has more returns than a degree in art.

Not saying don’t follow your passion, but think logically on it.

[ICArtist]

Yes, please do everything you can to not attend FullSail University…

Myself and other classmates are still reeling from college tuition costs, several that I know just aren’t even paying back the loans because the interest rates are so high and they have little mouths to feed.

To restate what others have typed up, it’s about your work, not about the degree. Don’t waste a bunch of money on a school that you might get frustrated with later.
Also, if you’re going to blow 100k on tuition, get into something that has higher returns out of the gate, like programming for games.
Heck, even buying a piece of property with that money, and renting it out, has more returns than a degree in art.

Not saying don’t follow your passion, but think logically on it.

Well I’m looking into a program that involves animation/CG/VFX. One of my major considerations is job placement.

And, if you’re reading this, yes, don’t go to Full Sail.