100 Best colleges for Animation in the United States

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Animation. A graph of 958K citations received by 26.1K academic papers made by 156 universities in the United States was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

Please note that our approach to subject rankings is based on scientific outputs and heavily biased on art-related topics towards institutions with computer science research profiles.

1. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Animation

#1 in North America

#1 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,078

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Animation

#2 in North America

#2 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1550
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,996

3. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Animation

#3 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1455
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 73%

4. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Animation

#4 in North America

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $35,552

5. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Animation

#5 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $29,608
Enrollment: 45,882

6. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Animation

#8 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

7. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Animation

#9 in North America

#12 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Receiving Aid: 56%
Average Aid: $16,156
Enrollment: 56,997

8. California Institute of Technology

California | Pasadena

For Animation

#10 in North America

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Net Price: $14,513
Receiving Aid: 70%
Average Aid: $72,373

9. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Animation

#11 in North America

#17 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 59%
Average Aid: $25,627
Enrollment: 47,335

10. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Animation

#12 in North America

#18 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 69%

11. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Animation

#13 in North America

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 74%

12. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Animation

#14 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $24,695
Enrollment: 26,133

13. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Animation

#15 in North America

#22 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,361

14. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Animation

#16 in North America

#25 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 80%

15. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Animation

#17 in North America

#30 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,570

16. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Animation

#18 in North America

#31 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $15,313

17. University of Texas at Austin

For Animation

#19 in North America

#32 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 65%

18. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Animation

#20 in North America

#33 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

19. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Animation

#21 in North America

#34 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

20. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Animation

#22 in North America

#39 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $43,412

21. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Animation

#23 in North America

#40 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

22. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Animation

#24 in North America

#44 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

23. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Animation

#26 in North America

#46 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,830

24. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Animation

#27 in North America

#47 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Receiving Aid: 66%
Average Aid: $25,757
Enrollment: 44,256

25. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Animation

#28 in North America

#48 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

26. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Animation

#29 in North America

#49 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 65%
Average Aid: $24,591
Enrollment: 40,065

27. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Animation

#30 in North America

#51 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

28. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Animation

#31 in North America

#59 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 67%

29. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Animation

#32 in North America

#61 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

30. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Animation

#33 in North America

#65 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $30,325

31. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Animation

#34 in North America

#66 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $28,060

32. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Animation

#35 in North America

#68 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,525

33. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Animation

#37 in North America

#77 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 69%

34. Brown University

Rhode Island | Providence

For Animation

#38 in North America

#80 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,256

35. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Animation

#39 in North America

#82 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,520

36. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Animation

#40 in North America

#83 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $12,172
Enrollment: 79,818

37. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Animation

#43 in North America

#92 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 67%

38. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Animation

#45 in North America

#101 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

39. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Animation

#46 in North America

#102 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

40. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Animation

#48 in North America

#107 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

41. Rice University

Texas | Houston

For Animation

#49 in North America

#111 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,589

42. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Animation

#50 in North America

#115 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 99%

43. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Animation

#51 in North America

#117 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

44. University of California - Santa Cruz

California | Santa Cruz

For Animation

#52 in North America

#118 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Receiving Aid: 64%
Average Aid: $22,774
Enrollment: 19,938

45. John Brown University

Arkansas | Siloam Springs

For Animation

#53 in North America

#121 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1205
Average ACT: 25
Net Price: $21,537

46. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Animation

#54 in North America

#124 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

47. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Animation

#55 in North America

#129 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1385
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

48. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Animation

#56 in North America

#132 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 90%

49. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Animation

#57 in North America

#134 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $21,981

50. Oregon State University

Oregon | Corvallis

For Animation

#58 in North America

#137 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 92%

51. University of Delaware

Delaware | Newark

For Animation

#60 in North America

#146 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 94%

52. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Animation

#61 in North America

#151 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,186

53. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Animation

#62 in North America

#153 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

54. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Animation

#63 in North America

#154 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

55. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Animation

#64 in North America

#181 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 92%

56. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For Animation

#65 in North America

#182 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 79%

57. University of California - Riverside

California | Riverside

For Animation

#66 in North America

#196 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $24,355
Enrollment: 26,384

58. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Animation

#67 in North America

#211 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

59. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Animation

#68 in North America

#212 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 89%

60. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

New York State | Troy

For Animation

#69 in North America

#213 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1443
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $38,887

61. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Animation

#70 in North America

#215 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 94%

62. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Animation

#71 in North America

#217 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

63. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Animation

#72 in North America

#220 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

64. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Animation

#73 in North America

#227 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 89%

65. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Animation

#75 in North America

#236 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 88%

66. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Animation

#77 in North America

#249 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 74%

67. University of Central Florida

Florida | Orlando

For Animation

#78 in North America

#250 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 92%

68. Brigham Young University - Provo

For Animation

#79 in North America

#252 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $16,694

69. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Animation

#81 in North America

#260 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1508
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,300

70. University of Oklahoma - Norman

Oklahoma State | Norman

For Animation

#82 in North America

#261 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

71. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Animation

#84 in North America

#269 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 97%

72. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska | Lincoln

For Animation

#85 in North America

#270 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1214
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

73. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Animation

#86 in North America

#274 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $23,110
Enrollment: 37,297

74. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Animation

#88 in North America

#278 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 89%

75. Mississippi State University

Mississippi | Starkville

For Animation

#89 in North America

#280 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

76. University of New Mexico

New Mexico | Albuquerque

For Animation

#90 in North America

#283 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1030
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 100%

77. Indiana University - Bloomington

Indiana | Bloomington

For Animation

#92 in North America

#287 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 82%

78. Syracuse University

New York State | Syracuse

For Animation

#93 in North America

#288 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1355
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $48,215

79. Colorado School of Mines

Colorado | Golden

For Animation

#94 in North America

#305 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 98%

80. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Animation

#97 in North America

#320 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 93%

81. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Animation

#98 in North America

#321 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

82. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Animation

#99 in North America

#322 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 57%

83. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Animation

#100 in North America

#333 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $46,485

84. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Animation

#101 in North America

#335 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $40,462

85. Rochester Institute of Technology

New York State | Rochester

For Animation

#102 in North America

#338 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $39,534

86. University of California - Merced

California | Merced

For Animation

#104 in North America

#346 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Receiving Aid: 91%
Average Aid: $27,292
Enrollment: 9,110

87. Illinois Institute of Technology

Illinois | Chicago

For Animation

#105 in North America

#350 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $24,796

88. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Animation

#106 in North America

#359 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 94%

89. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

Colorado | Fort Collins

For Animation

#107 in North America

#361 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Receiving Aid: 79%
Average Aid: $10,160
Enrollment: 34,096

90. College of William and Mary

Virginia | Williamsburg

For Animation

#108 in North America

#364 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 55%

91. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Animation

#110 in North America

#368 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $24,420

92. Northeastern University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Animation

#111 in North America

#371 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $34,207

93. University of Oregon

Oregon | Eugene

For Animation

#112 in North America

#380 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 90%

94. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Animation

#113 in North America

#382 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $14,837
Enrollment: 29,640

95. University of Texas at Dallas

Texas | Richardson

For Animation

#114 in North America

#383 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 74%

96. Dartmouth College

New Hampshire | Hanover

For Animation

#115 in North America

#384 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $20,322

97. Wright State University

For Animation

#116 in North America

#391 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Receiving Aid: 96%
Average Aid: $8,942
Enrollment: 10,603

98. University of Idaho

For Animation

#117 in North America

#395 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1110
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 99%

99. Seattle University

Washington | Seattle

For Animation

#118 in North America

#396 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $36,948

100. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Animation

#119 in North America

#402 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $45,397

The best cities to study Animation in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are Stanford, Cambridge, Atlanta, and Pittsburgh.