Animation Career Review Ranks Columbia’s Animation Program Among the Best in the Nation

Consistently ranked among the top animation schools in the Midwest, Columbia helps animation students bring their unique voice and aesthetic to their work, and best of all, employers want Columbia College Chicago grads.Consistently ranked among the top animation schools in the Midwest, Columbia helps animation students bring their unique voice and aesthetic to their work, and best of all, employers want Columbia College Chicago grads.
Columbia College Chicago’s Animation program ranked #5 nationally among schools offering an Animation-related BA by "Animation Career Review."

"Animation Career Review" recognized Columbia College Chicago's Animation and Computer Graphics BA program as one of the top in the country, highlighting its continued excellence in creative education and industry preparation.  

In its 2025 Animation School Rankings, "Animation Career Review" placed Columbia:  

  • #7 in the Midwest
  • #3 in Illinois
  • #5 nationally among schools offering an Animation-related BA

These rankings are based on academic reputation, depth of program, employment data, tuition value, and admission selectivity. Nearly 200 U.S. animation programs were considered in the review.

The animated short "Frankie," created by the 2023–24 Animation and Production Studio class (directed by Maddie Helland and produced by Jay Vasquez) follows a father's heartfelt mission to give his daughter a pet goldfish.

Columbia's Animation and Computer Graphics program, housed in the School of Design, offers concentrations in computer or traditional animation, cinema visual effects (CVFX), and game art. Students begin hands-on production in their first year and build technical and storytelling skills across courses in character design, visual storytelling, 3D modeling, and portfolio work. The program emphasizes collaboration and cross-disciplinary learning, preparing students for careers in film, TV, games, and emerging media. Each concentration area culminates in studio or practicum courses that include larger, team-oriented, productions, as well as options for individual creative projects.

Graduates of the program have gone on to work at studios such as DreamWorks Animation, Weta Digital, Pixar, Nickelodeon, Titmouse, Warner Bros. Animation, NetherRealm, and independent game and media companies, and have contributed to award-winning productions across the entertainment industry.

View the full rankings at Animation Career Review

Learn more about Columbia's Animation program at colum.edu/animation

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