School and Ranking Information
At least 22 schools offer programs in animation and video graphics within 25 miles of Anaheim, CA. Of those, a large percentage are public schools, with only three private, not-for-profit schools offering these programs in the area. The top choice in the area is based off of its rankings, graduation rates and program credentials.
- Winner: The University of Southern California is located near Anaheim in Los Angeles, California. The university offers both undergraduate and graduate course paths for animation and video graphics.
School Info Chart
| Category | University of Southern California |
|---|---|
| Rankings | Tied for #25 in National Universities (2022); #53 in Best Fine Arts Graduate Programs (2020)* |
| Location | Los Angeles, CA |
| School Type | 4-year; private; not-for-profit |
| Tuition & Fees (2019-2020) | Undergraduate: $58,195* |
| Digital Arts Degrees Offered | Bachelor's; Master's |
| Digital Arts Degrees Awarded (all levels) in 2020-2021 | 48** |
| Most Popular Digital Arts Degree Level Awarded in 2020-2021 | Bachelor's (48 awarded)** |
| Undergraduate Graduation Rate (in 150% of normal degree time) for 2015 Entering Class | 92%** |
| Noteworthy | Named a Top Undergraduate School for Video Game Design*** |
Sources: *U.S. News and World Report, **NCES College Navigator, ***Princeton Review
University of Southern California
- Students can study abroad at the Studio Arts Centers International in Florence, Italy
- Undergraduate students complete a senior project in which they independently develop production and post-production for their own endeavor
- The average class size at the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences is 26
The University of Southern California's total student enrollment is roughly 49,300, with around 20,000 undergraduates. The school is a leading research university with approximately 230 National Merit Scholars enrolled in 2015.
The Bachelor of Arts degree program in animation and digital arts aims to provide students with a broad foundation in liberal arts, along with specialized expertise in animation and digital arts. Students in the program can choose from such concentrations as visual effects, character animation, experimental animation, 3-D computer animation, interactive animation and science visualization. Students take courses such as the art of animation, animation techniques, digital animation, visual effects and animation history.
The Master of Fine Arts program in animation and digital arts offers courses in multiple animation techniques, including characters drawn by hand and those developed with advanced interactive digital animation. Additionally, the instruction focuses on computer animation software and key aspects of digital media. Required courses include animation fundamentals, storytelling, animation business and production technologies. A thesis is required for graduation.
