Ready to work for DreamWorks? Or Disney? Wherever you end up, the beginning will always be important. That’s why, with these colleges, you’re sure to make a statement. Whether your heart beats for film, illustration, or animation, you’re definitely make an impact with your art. By attending a school specialized for art or performing, you’ll also surround yourself with creative people who are looking to enter the same fields as you and contain the same love and passion for the arts.
Here are the top 10 colleges for aspiring artists:
10. School of Visual Arts (SVA)
Being a student at the School of Visual Arts, you will always reach success. Every classroom feels like your own art studio. Being at SVA, you feel like you’re with your own. The exhilarating experience of being in NYC means you have endless networking opportunities. Being in the Big Apple means you’ll never be bored with the various attractions. Their bright colors and energetic atmosphere are sure to leave your imagination thriving!
“Personally it is a positive for me because it makes me walk around the city to get to school and I could explore new places all around. So far I feel like this college is very different than the normal ‘college’ experience but I’ve been enjoying it for me personally. The workload I’ve gotten is a bit overwhelming but I don’t regret it at all that I came to this school and I kind of like that the school pushes me to my limit to create projects,” School of Visual Arts freshman Lindsay Chun said.
Being an SVA graduate means you’ll have great opportunities when it comes to your career path. Whether it’s hanging out with Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney or creating a new emotion with Inside Out, you are sure to find a home. SVA’s most popular major is illustration and their impressive awards go from Emmy Awards to Academy Awards. Want to have your artwork submitted to a museum? Try applying for their Museum of Illustration at the Society of Illustrators. Their annual exhibit features the best works for the year by leading contemporary illustrators from all around the world!
9. California Institute of the Arts
Love the sunshine? Love the arts? Why not have both? California Institute of the Arts will always be the dreamland for Disney lovers. The college was created by Walt Disney himself with his brother Roy. Instead of separating all the arts, the school is known for mixing creativity together. This way, new ideas can spark!
“I learned about CalArts through many recommendations from my friends and experts on social networking sites. People told me that the training program for art and design majors at CalArts is quite good, and I also knew that my mentor also attended the training program at this school. I was impressed by the training program here which is quite condensed, helping me have an overview of the field of study as well as thoroughly systematize my knowledge,” California Institute of Arts in a 3-month program Thinh Pham said.
The college’s most popular majors are animation and acting. Some familiar names that might make your ears perk are Tim Burton, Eliza Coupe, and Andrew Stanton. You can expect to land your dream jobs at Netflix, Apple, and of course Walt Disney Studios. Whether your heart lies with the visual or performing arts, CAL Arts will guarantee to capture your dreams to make them into a reality!
8. Savannah College of Art and Design
Bees usually make us want to run away, but Art the Bee is sure to draw you in. With their six galleries in Savannah and two galleries in Atlanta, SCAD students learn the importance of networking and the beauty of art. Being a honeybee means you’re always happy to help out the community as well with their help at Kids Cafe and H.E.Art for Humanity.
“My experience at SCAD has been amazing from the amazing counselors and professors to my peers and friend I’ve made by being the treasurer of Hillel at scad. What is so special about scad is probably all of the resources we have from having adobe completely free and taking adobe exams for free to professors with incredible portfolios that will help connect you to anyone along with SCAD pro from our partnerships with BMW Microsoft Deloitte Louis Vuitton Dior Warner bros Apple and Disney and Nintendo. We have amazing resources and teams to help us be successful,” Savannah College of Art and Design freshman Jay Silberman said.
Not impressed yet? Well, more than 150 SCAD alumni helped with Academy Award-nominated films. These films included Barbie, Oppenheimer, and Elemental. The SCAD faculty also works with the production of May December so they can have two classes in production design and television. Maybe you’ll end up in their famous line of alumni with India Arie and Peg Parnevik!
7. The New School
Want to know something cool? The New School was actually the first American university to educate students on the history of film. Want to know something else? James Baldwin and Bea Arthur attended The New School. They’re one of the first to offer students courses in jazz as well as in photography. Their New School Free Press will be a great way to hone your writing skills.
“My experience has been incredibly mixed, the majority of my classes have been uninformative but in both semesters I’ve been here I’ve had one class that I just adore […] My favorite class I’ve taken here was a class called live coding taught by Melody Loveless. We essentially learned how to code music and visuals live; we would start from scratch and a code a performance in front of an audience. It was an incredible blend of art and tech,” The New School Eugene Lang freshman Rowan Cahill said.
When attending The New School, students can shape their future to whatever their heart desires. Their path will be crafted by their own hands. Their most popular majors are fashion/apparel design and web page, digital/multimedia, and information resources design. You’re expected to earn around $55,333 after you graduate and students usually end up working at NYU or Columbia University.
6. Academy of Art University
With the Academy of Art University, there’s no leash when it comes to creativity. They’re the first art university that shows their art biannually at New York Fashion Week. With their experienced faculty and impressive art programs, you’re sure to find the career for you. The diversity allows students to let loose and express themselves.
“My experience at the Academy of Art has been a great one. The Academy is very diverse in their course, from Illustration, Sculpture, and 3d work, all connected to what I was looking for in an Art School. They also have a fully operational bronze foundry for their bronze courses… which is amazing. Not many of those left on the west coast. I joined up after I retired from the Military, and the school also has some great Veterans programs,” Academy of Art University senior Jeremy Warmer said.
Animation dominates as their most popular major. The Academy prides itself on the incredible resources it offers for veterans and members of the military. Their advisors make sure to thoroughly answer all your needs. The graduates of this academy earn around $33,000 per year. Apple and Google seem to be where most of the graduates end up in. Some of the Academy of Art University alumni are Heidi Montag, Lauren Conrad, and Rick Baker.
5. Five Towns College
Want to create hype like a special musician did with Move Like Jagger? You can try to call a Payphone to let people know you’re going to Five Towns College. The same college that Adam Levine studied in. Their focus on music, media, and the performing arts, and their film and television programs are some of the most popular in Long Island. Their creative atmosphere and inspiring faculty make you want to break out in dance.
“My experience so far at Five Towns College has been very good this year! I chose Five Towns because it’s strictly a creative school and I wanted to surround myself with creative individuals and Five Towns was perfect! I’ve met so many great people within my major that I’ve gotten the opportunity to work on projects with and I have to say I really love it! Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. Since it is a small school you really know everyone and they know you. In a way I feel that’s a good thing, because you make connections with people easier,” Five Towns College sophomore Isabella Romeo said.
What can you expect your average salary to be like? Once you graduate, your expected salary comes to be about $40,763. Haven’t convinced you yet? Their impressive alumni might change your answer. Jess Carmichael, Miss Ko, and Jon Bellion have studied and gained valuable experience here. Your professors give you a great network connection and some are even award-winning producers.
4. Maine College of Art & Design
Want to attend the best? Check out the oldest art education in Maine, Maine College of Art & Design. With their popular majors being animation and game art, you can expect your career to be someone in there. Want to know something special? All 3rd and 4th-year students have their own studio space in the area they want to major in.
“I chose the college because it was so close to home and easy to travel to honestly. I knew from when I was like a freshman or sophomore in high school I wanted to be an artist specifically for cartoons and any animation. My first two years were good nothing too crazy, but I will say my last two years in college were my favorite. I really grew a connection with my major class and I cherish each and every one of them. They were so much fun to work with and really made the major space a better place to be,” Maine College of Art & Design graduate Calea Roy said.
Some of the famous alumni include Sofia Saldanha, Gina Adams, and Phoebe Judge. What’s the expected salary after you graduate? I have you covered, it’s estimated to be around $33,311. While attending Maine College of Art & Design, you are sure to grow as an artist.
3. Ringling College of Art and Design
Want to get to know a diverse group of people who have the same passion for art as you? Look no further than Ringling College of Art and Design. The students on this campus are some of the most collaborative and creative minds you’ll see. You’ll also notice how they’re the only college in Florida that’s dedicated to teaching about art and design. That means you’ll fit right in.
“Ringling is one of the top schools in the world for animation, and we’re also specifically one of the best for 3D animation. We have a ton of really great technology, some amazing faculty (including directors, story artists from Pixar and other studios, and more), and the education I’m getting is really incredible. However I think it’s worth stating that the school definitely has downsides too. The administration is hard to deal with sometimes and I don’t think they really understand what we as artists need or what we’re striving for. And, of course, the computer animation major is notoriously challenging. I hardly have any free time, and I spend at least 60 hours a week doing homework,” Ringling College of Art and Design Junior Caitlin Louise Sammon said.
Ready to work for Hallmark? Or DreamWorks Pictures? Then you should already be at Ringling College of Art and Design. With their amazing alumni which includes Michelle Phan, David Bromstad, and Bret Iwan you too can make a name for yourself. With an expected salary of $47,921 after graduation, you are limitless.
2. Columbus College of Art and Design
Columbus College of Art and Design has an impressive resume when you think of how it’s one of the oldest private art and design colleges in America. With the college being close to the Columbus Museum of Art, maybe your painting will end up there. Their most popular majors are illustration and animation. You’re sure to make a big name out of yourself with alumni such as Dan Scanlon, Timothy Truman, and James Dupree.
“CCAD has provided students will opportunities unlike anything else. I chose CCAD because not only was it local, but it had a major that no other art school was offering: comics. Our school works closely with surrounding communities and companies such as CXC, The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and we are able to receive advice from some of the most talented people in our fields such as David Baker, Anna Beganskaya, Nathan Kwan, and so many others. Our professors are unlike any others. They care about their students on a personal basis and support us to the fullest,” Columbus College of Art and Design senior Laura said.
Can’t wait to graduate and see what your salary will be like? Look no further, the estimated salary will be around $38,904. Students who attend CCAD can always be seen smiling. Their creative atmosphere and lively campus make the arts come alive. With their well-rounded programs, you can instantly tell how the school radiates their creativity.
1. Pratt Institute
At Pratt Institute, you better be prepared for a rapid work environment. The gorgeous campus will make you feel as though you’re the main character. Even though you will have a lot of work, maybe you’ll end up like Jeremy Scott or Betsey Johnson. Or maybe you’ll end up working with Gensler.
“My experience at Pratt has been good, they like to cheap out on somethings even though the tuition here is so high but Pratt is a very nice campus in close vicinity to Manhattan and my father went here for architecture,” Pratt Institute senior Christian Fraehmke said.
With their popular majors being architecture and animation. Who knows? Maybe you can create the next iconic building or the next hit animation show. With Pratt, you learn how to balance your artistic vision with your practical skills. You get to work in a creative atmosphere and think about social impacts.
