School and Ranking Information
About three public or private, not-for-profit schools within 25 miles of Atlanta offer animation programs. The three schools, including both 4-year and 2-year institutions, are ranked in order based on their program offerings and graduation rates.
- Winner: The Atlanta campus of the Savannah College of Art and Design offers bachelor's and master's degrees in animation as part of its nationally ranked fine arts program, making it the top pick.
- Runner-Up #1: Atlanta Technical College awards an associate's degree with a specialization in computer animation and has the second highest graduation rate of the three schools.
- Runner- Up #2: Chattahoochee Technical College in Marietta offers an associate's degree, with options for transferring to a four-year university after graduation.
School Comparison Chart
| Category | Savannah College of Art and Design | Atlanta Technical College | Chattahoochee Technical College |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Ranking(s)* | 158th among graduate fine arts programs, nationwide | N/A | N/A |
| Location | Atlanta, GA | Atlanta, GA | Marietta, GA (19.8 miles from Atlanta) |
| School Type | 4-year, private not-for-profit | 2-year, public | 2-year, public |
| Tuition & Fees (2021-2022)** | $38,840 (undergraduate) $39,420 (graduate) | $3,202 (undergraduate, in-state) $5,602 (undergraduate, out-of-state) | $3,120 (undergraduate, in-state) $5,520 (undergraduate, out-of-state) |
| Computer Animation Degree Levels Offered | Bachelor's and master's degrees | Associate's degree | Associate's degree |
| Computer Animation Degrees Awarded (All Levels) in 2020-2021** | 489 | 52 (Design and Visual Communications; Animation awards not listed separately) | 16 (Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design) |
| Overall Graduation Rate (in 150% of normal program time) for Fall 2016 Entering Class** | 71% (Fall 2015) | 36% | 22% |
| Noteworthy | Digital Media Center with in-house theater and green screen lab | College-wide job placement rate of 98%*** | For-credit internship is an optional part of the degree curriculum |
Sources: *U.S. News & World Report, **NCES College Navigator, ***Atlanta Technical College Career Services.
Winner: Savannah College of Art and Design
- Students have access to Mac & PC labs, light tables, an in-house movie theater and over a dozen animation software programs in the Digital Media Center
- Faculty work experience includes Disney animated films 'Pocahontas' and 'Tarzan' and editing for 'Animation Magazine'
- Recent alumni have worked or interned for Disney and Bento Box Entertainment
Earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation at SCAD in Atlanta requires completing 180 hours of coursework. Students start with 35 hours of foundation courses in basic drawing and design. They must also take general education courses, such as speech and composition. The bulk of the program consists of 75 hours of major curriculum courses, including the history and principles of animation, character design, concept development and post-production. Students also have 10 credit hours of electives and must complete a senior animation project in order to graduate.
Students in the Master of Fine Arts program complete 90 hours of more intensive animation coursework. Available courses include digital effects, computer-generated modeling and storyboarding. Graduates will each complete a thesis and portfolio of work, and they are required to participate in either a field or teaching internship.
Runner-Up #1: Atlanta Technical College
- 'Visual Graphix Group' student organization seeks to provide networking and education in the field of art and design
- In 2018-2019, NCES reported that 82% of students received an average of $9,183 in grant or scholarship aid
Atlanta Tech offers a two-year degree in design and media production technology with a specialization in animation. Technical courses include an introduction to design and media production, vector graphics and raster imaging. Additionally, all majors must complete general education requirements in communications, social sciences and the humanities. An 'Exit Review' course assists students in building a portfolio in preparation for job seeking.
Runner-Up #2: Chattahoochee Technical College
- Areas of specialization include computer animation, graphic design and motion graphics
- Chattahoochee has transfer agreements with nearly a dozen four-year schools, including the Savannah College of Art and Design
An associate's degree in design and media production technology, with a specialization in computer animation, requires 66 hours of coursework at Chattahoochee. Students choose 15 hours of general education requirements from four 'core areas,' including communications, social sciences, mathematics and fine arts. Animation-specific courses include 3D modeling and animation, digital texture and character rigging. Other courses students can choose from include photography, interface design, basic video editing or an internship. Like at Atlanta Technical College, majors in this degree program must complete an 'Exit Review' course.
