School Information
A few large public colleges and universities located in and around Houston offer degree programs in animation and video graphics. Based on location, number of animation degrees awarded and graphics-related facilities, the following university is considered a top school in the Houston area for animation and video graphics studies:
- Winner: Sam Houston State University awarded the most 4-year degrees in animation and video graphics among all schools in the Houston area. Students here can pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Computer Animation.
School Info Chart
| Category | Sam Houston State University |
|---|---|
| Distinction | #263 in National Universities (2022-2023)*, #132 in Top Public Schools (2022-2023)* |
| Location | Huntsville, Texas |
| School Type | 4-year, public |
| Tuition & Fees (2021-2022) | Undergrad: $8,960 (in-state); $18,752 (out-of-state)** |
| Animation and Video Graphics Degrees Offered | Bachelor's |
| Animation and Video Graphics Degrees Awarded in 2020-2021 | 30** |
| Undergraduate Graduation Rate (in 150% of normal degree time) for 2015 Entering Class | 57%** |
| Noteworthy | The Department of Art offers more than 30,000 square feet of studios, labs and galleries* |
Sources: *US News and World Report; **NCES College Navigator
Sam Houston State University
- Internship opportunities with local studios available
- Instruction combines class studies with hands-on lab experiences
- Art faculty are professional artists with exhibitions in museums and galleries across the U.S.
Sam Houston State University is one of the oldest public universities in the state. The university currently offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs to about 21,600 students each year. Academic degree programs are offered through five colleges, including the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication, This college houses the Art Department, which enrolls about 450 students each year and is home to the school's computer animation degree program.
In the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Computer Animation program, students gain a technical understanding of computer animation techniques while developing their creativity. They are first expected to gain a solid grasp of drawing and 2-dimensional animation skills. Once they have mastered those techniques, they can go on to learn how to use digital technology to incorporate 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional images into a particular piece of art. They learn how to use software to create animation for film, television and games. Specific courses include history of contemporary art, theories of animation, drawing, painting, sculpture, motion graphics, video compositing, character modeling, shading and texturing. Students are also required to complete an animation portfolio during their senior year.
