The 9 Best, Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Animation Degree Programs

Are the highest-quality yet most affordable Bachelor in Animation Degree programs available for hopeful professionals?

Absolutely! While the average cost for tuition, school fees, and room and board have skyrocketed through the years, colleges across the United States offer Animation degree programs at reasonable rates.

A Bachelor’s in Animation degree program is an excellent choice for those looking to pursue a career in the animation industry. It offers students a comprehensive understanding of animation theory, techniques, and technologies, allowing them to develop the skills necessary to create high-quality, professional animation projects.

Courses can cover topics such as character design, storyboarding, 2D and 3D animation, and animation production. Many programs also offer specialized tracks, which allow students to focus on a particular type of animation, such as classical animation or digital animation.

With a Bachelor’s in Animation, graduates are prepared for a variety of rewarding and exciting career opportunities in the field.

Students also have access to a host of financial assistance programs, grants, scholarships, and other sources to fund their undergraduate degrees.

---

Quick Summarization:

Because of the usually expensive cost of a bachelor’s degree in Animation, students fall into the trap of settling for cheaper and less reputable programs. The truth is top colleges and universities are now blending affordability and academic quality in their programs. Students get the unique opportunity to harness their skills and become competent in their profession through the most affordable Bachelor in Animation degree programs–and without breaking the bank at that!

---

Methodology

Just because a school’s Bachelor’s in Animation degree is affordable doesn’t mean it isn’t competitive! We prove this point with each of the brick-and-mortar or online programs and colleges on our list exhibiting these hallmarks of quality higher education without the hefty price tag: 

• A rigorous undergraduate Animation program typically within a four-year completion timeline that underscores the most up-to-date processes, tools, computer graphics technology, and practices in the profession, 
• An engaging undergraduate culture that promotes experiential learning that exposes students to, and readies them for, real-world professional scenarios, 
• Seasoned teaching personnel with solid credentials in the Animation industry, 
• Accreditation from academic agencies to indicate adherence to the highest standards of college education in general, or specific to Animation as a bachelor’s degree program,
• Esteem among statistical resources and journalistic communities, as well as membership in organizations that focus on advancing Animation as a field of study and profession,
• Glowing reviews from students and alumni who share the academic journey of the school’s Animation undergraduate program

Please read our Methodology page for more details.

The 9 Best and Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Animation Degrees

Below are the best and most affordable bachelor’s degrees in animation for students who are into digital animation, computer animation, graphic design, digital arts, and fine arts in general.

---

The University of South Florida

At the Sarasota-Manatee campus, the University of South Florida offers more than 40 graduate and undergraduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, Business, and Education. The program for aspiring animation degree holders includes the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art, with a Focus on Video, Animation, and Digital Arts.

Under their Bachelor of Fine Arts program, students develop a keen focus on personal art-making. This is the gateway towards specializing in different areas of concentration, such as digital animation and digital modeling.

The digital animation courses of the fine arts program will engage you in the development of 2D and 3D animation, and the production of virtual 3D objects for game development, visual effects, character animation, and arts.

Initially, students will undergo general education courses within the program to gain a solid foundation in the principles and tools involved in video and digital imaging, game design, character design, web design, computer graphics, online game art, videos, and animations. In the advanced courses of this bachelor’s degree in animation, you will start to develop personal creative voices as you produce projects that you directed yourself.

For the cost of attendance, USF has some of the most affordable tuition rates across the US. Undergraduate students pay $4,741 and $6,924 each semester, for Florida and non-Florida residents, respectively.

Most USF students are awarded $10,134 (average) in financial aid. The school also has different public and private financial aid programs in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study.

---

Bowling Green State University

The digital arts and web design program of Bowling Green State University is under the umbrella of the School of Art. The program is designed to provide visual arts students an amazing chance to explore leading-edge digital tools for making digital imagery, animation, and interactive experiences.

Students develop theoretical, cultural, aesthetic, and technical skills in digital media. All the courses are designed to provide digital media design students with a strong footing in digital imaging, character animation and design, creative code, visual storytelling, and 3D modeling.

Bachelor’s degrees include the Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Digital Arts, and the Bachelor of Art with a Digital Arts Specialization (Computer Animation and Video, Interactive Multimedia, and Imaging).

After completing this bachelor’s degree program, students can proceed to the graduate program including an MFA in Art, and a Major in Digital Arts.

Every year, the School of Art provides 8 to 10 scholarships, with financial assistance ranging from $1000-$2000, released as tuition scholarships. They also offer a $2,000 scholarship for qualified students in animation technology.

BGSU School of Art awards the Robert Mazur Memorial Scholarship to an animation degree program student with the best portfolio in the annual Incoming Freshman Talent Award contest.

---

Brigham Young University

The Design Department of Brigham Young University offers a bachelor’s in fine arts with majors in Graphic Design, Animation, Illustration, and Photography. These animation degrees are designed to prepare students with the necessary knowledge, intellect, and skills to become the best in the animation industry.

Bachelor’s Degrees Majors and Minors:

• Animation BFA (Animation. Data Visualization. Entertainment Feature. Film. Animation Technology. Special Effects. Television Animation)
• Graphic Design BFA (Art Direction. Branding. Data Visualization. Motion Graphic. Typography. UI Design. UX Design)
• Illustration BFA (Publishing. Advertising. Institutional. Concept Design. Motion Illustration. Graphic Novels. Gallery Art. 3D Illustration. Product Design. Patterns and Textiles. Interactive Illustration)
• Photo- and Lens-Based Design BFA (Retouching. Cinematography. Analog Photography. Digital Photography. Alternative Processes. Advertising. Commercial. Content Creation)
• Interdisciplinary Design BA (User Experience. Video Game Design and Development. Art Director. Character Design. Creative Director. Digital Media Design)
• Design Thinking Major (User Experience Designer. Design Thinking Strategist. Instructional Designer. Experience Designer)

Aspiring animators can also enroll in the BS in Computer Science program with an Animation Emphasis.

Potential animation students, upon their school search, should also look into what scholarships a school offers. BYU has a lot of department scholarships which can significantly help lessen your school fees. Scholarships include:

• Design Talent Award/Named Scholarships
• Internship Scholarships
• Experiential Learning Project Grant
• Program Experiential Learning Funds
• Film and Digital Media Funding
• Laycock Center for Creative Collaboration
• Oscarson Discovery Grant

General and tuition fees for all the programs of BYU are annually established. Since the school is a non-profit organization related to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a huge part of the operating costs of the university are shouldered by the church members through tithes.

With that, students who are members of the Church have lower tuition fees than those who are not.

---

Rasmussen College – Minnesota

For working professionals who want to enroll in digital animation and design, Rasmussen College offers an online bachelor’s degree in graphic design to give you the confidence and knowledge in knowing everything about art: from art history to technical proficiency, to creativity.

The online bachelor’s in graphic design is for online students who want to learn the latest technologies, competencies, and skills in the design field.

The curriculum of this online bachelor’s degree includes various project works and strongly focuses on the emerging trends in graphic design such as 3D imagery, thumb-friendly mobile navigation, mobile video production, game design, character design, animation, and a lot more.

This online bachelor’s degree also hones your skills in Adobe Creative Suite and Creative Cloud, as well as your master of user interface design.

The online bachelor’s in graphic design at Rasmussen College has 23 courses in all. For full-time students, the degree can be completed in 18 months (90 credits). The school also offers several financial aid programs in the form of loans, employer benefits, grants, Rasmussen scholarships, and military benefits.

---

The Academy of Art University

This school has an online degree in animation. This online bachelor’s course gives you an extensive online curriculum, coupled with the best technology and tools so you can achieve your goals.

This online bachelor’s allows students to work with expert instructors as their on-site counterparts to ensure each student gets to have the same top-notch quality education and the best hands-on training.

One of the modern technologies to look forward to this online bachelor’s is the Virtual Remote Lab. With this technology, you can use your computers at home tap into the school’s remote lab, and gain access to computer software and tools you might need for your projects.

The online bachelor’s degree of the academy provides astounding coursework–packed with well-produced videos, digital documents, narrated slideshows, expert interviews, live streams, and many more.

After you complete all your assignments, just upload your tasks to the school’s custom-designed LMS (Learning Management System). Your assignments can then be shared with the whole class, and the program instructor can also leave visual markups, recorded and written feedback, and videos.

For a full-time undergraduate degree in animation students, the tuition is $1,041 per unit (3 units per class). Financial aid includes Federal and State Aid, Federal Loan Interest, Alternative Loans, and Federal Work-Study.

---

The University of Texas

The University of Texas houses eight schools offering 136 different academic programs. The School of Arts and Humanities is where the Department of Arts and Technology (ATEC) is. This department is where you can find several degree programs for aspiring animators.

The programs include:

• BA in Arts and Technology (BA ATEC)
• MA in Arts and Technology (MA ATEC)
• MFA in Arts and Technology (MFA ATEC)
• Ph.D. in Arts and Technology (Ph.D. ATEC)

The BA in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication interacts technology with the arts, with a particular emphasis on visual arts, narratives, and music. ATEC provides several creative laboratories that are equipped with the latest in leading-edge technologies and high-end workstations.

Arts and animation students are also given access to a media and games library holding more than 1,000 analog and digital games spanning different game platforms.

All undergraduate degree students begin their program under the production and design umbrella. This provides them with a solid standing in applied design with the necessary flexibility to pursue any areas of study in ATEC.

Those who wish to pursue advanced work may enroll in any of the following specialized concentrations:

• Animation and Gaming
• Critical Media Studies
• Design and Creative Practice

After completing your degree, you can join in any of the wide fields across many industries related to animation. Career opportunities include jobs in media studies, game development and design, emerging media, user interaction and experience, animation, and education.

As for the tuition, an undergraduate resident with a fifteen-hour academic load has a tuition estimate of $8,032 per semester.

The school also offers two different tuition plans: the variable tuition plan where the tuition rates are locked for one academic year at a time. The guaranteed tuition plan locks the rates in for four consecutive academic years and is suitable for students on a tight budget.

Aside from the usual federal aid and scholarships, ATEC has three other scholarships for its degree program. This includes:

• The Marjorie Duckworth Endowment Award
• The Anthony (Tony) Cross Memorial Scholarship
• The Greater Texas Foundation- Tech Titans Removing Educational Barriers Scholarship

---

California State University Northridge

The Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication, Department of Art at California State University Northridge offers several visual arts programs via its undergraduate degrees in art education, animation, art history, drawing, ceramics, illustration and graphic design, and many more.

From these, students have the option to continue with a Master of Arts or Master of Fine Arts Graduate degree or even complete state-accredited art education programs that will lead to an art teaching credential in any California state.

CSUN’s bachelor’s degree in animation is offered in three animation programs: 2D design, 3D animation, and Game Development. Through these programs, students get access to the school’s state-of-the-art computer laboratories packed with industry-standard equipment and software.

CSUN’s campus is just a stone’s throw away from some of the world’s biggest names in the animation industry and game studios This allows students better access to industry-experienced and highly respected staff of the program’s professors.

This one-of-a-kind studio relationship is a great advantage to computer animation students as this can help them in crucial internships and future employment.

The school also provides students the chance to join the studio and industry events, and ongoing educational partnering with the Seoul Institute of the Arts and Dreamworks Studios. At times, they can also join in organized studio tours.

Animation Tracks:

2D & 3D Animation Design: This program will help build the students’ foundation in design, drawing, and other software skills for their future careers. In their senior year, students focus more on their portfolios and collaborative group projects. Students who pursue this artistic career can join the industry as visual development artists, storyboard revisionists, or animators.

Those who enter this program can become artists, CG modelers, character animators, compositors, and texture and lighting artists. There are four computer graphics programs in this course with options in the topics of game animation, compositing, and computer animation.

Game Design: Another academic track of this animation bachelor’s degree is in the field of game design. Those who graduate in this program can have careers in level design, quality assurance in game design, character animation, media arts, and texture painting and lighting.

For the academic year 2022-2023, annual tuition is $7,064 (seven units or more), for students living either on or off-campus. For non-California residents, just add $396 per unit.

CSUN offers two types of scholarships: on-campus scholarships and off-campus scholarships.

On-campus scholarships:

CSUN Scholarship

• GE Honors Rising Scholar Award
• Matador Scholarship Program
• Presidential Scholarship
• University Scholarship
• CSUN Dreamers Scholarship

CSU Foundation– The school works with several donors who wish to fund scholarship opportunities. Students in digital art programs, animation, or any program for that matter, have so many scholarship opportunities to choose from. There are college and department scholarships as well.

Off-Campus Scholarships:

• Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
• GEAR-UP
• Governor’s Scholarship Program
• Segal AmeriCorps Educational Award

---

Rocky Mountain College of Arts and Design

RMCAD stands out as one of the premier schools that offer animation degrees online. To produce the best graphic designers, RMCAD offers an online animation degree program.

Program highlights of the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation include:

• Modeling
• Character Design
• Character Animation
• Storyboarding
• 2D and 3D Drawing
• Stop Motion Animation
• Line of Action

The online animation degrees of RMCAD produce graduates with a blazing trail in the fine arts industry, securing the best career opportunities in big companies like Blue Sky, Pixar, Lola VFX, Industrial Light and Magic, and more.

The online bachelor’s degree program has a lot of potential career paths in animation:

• New Media Designer
• Flash Developer/Designer
• Digital Videographer
• 3D Artist
• Character Animation Developer
• Game Design

Rocky Mountain College has waived its application fee for all bachelor’s degrees including its online bachelor’s in animation. As for financial aid, almost 80% of students with online bachelor’s degrees receive financial aid in the form of grants, loans, work-study programs, and scholarships.

For the online bachelor’s, tuition is $602 per credit hour; while the on-campus program is $693 per credit hour.

---

Columbia College Hollywood (Flashpoint Chicago)

Tribeca Flashpoint College offers an online bachelor’s in animation and visual effects program. In this animation degree program, you will start learning about art history, and later on acquire skills focused on creativity, visual aesthetics, and problem-solving necessary in the field of animation.

The animation programs of this art university also hone your skills in creating and producing top-quality 3D models, simulated effects, 3D models, and composites for television, film, video games, animation, and interactive media.

Bachelor of Fine Arts Visual Effects Program

This Bachelor of Fine Arts program gives you an intensive and project-based experience with industry-standard and professional technology and creative skills. You will also learn how a collaborative workflow is used correctly to make the best professional quality effects for television, film, and interactive media. With all these skills, you will become an in-demand film and video editor in no time.

Bachelor of Fine Arts Graphic Design + Interactive Media

The Bachelor of Fine Arts – Graphic Design and Interactive Media combines aesthetics and design studies in practical experiences using the right technology, tools, creative skills, and processes.

After completing the program, you will have an industry-ready and cohesive portfolio that shows your talents and your ability to visually communicate through multiple channels of media.

For the Bachelor of fine arts online degree, the tuition cost is $4,280 for 8 credits per semester. For 12 credits, the cost is $6,420, and $8,560 for 16 credits.

Federal aid programs are provided based on your number of credits:

• Full-time: 12 credits or more (Pell, Direct Loans)
• 3/4 time: 9 credits (Pell)
• Half time: 6 credits (Pell, Direct Loans)

If you wish to avail of institutional scholarship programs, you need to enroll in at least 12 credits to qualify. Additionally, those who wish to complete their bachelor’s degree in four years (or less) must enroll in 15 units per semester.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Animators Need a Bachelor’s Degree

A Bachelor’s degree helps animators gain the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to work effectively in their field. Many animation programs teach important concepts such as scriptwriting, layout, motion design, character development, effects, and digital media.

Bachelor’s programs also provide the opportunity to build a professional portfolio and network with other animators and industry professionals, positioning graduates for success. Having a Bachelor’s degree can also be useful for entering higher-level positions.

Take the first step in beginning your dream career today:

Key Takeaways

Getting a bachelor’s degree in animation– an online degree or not, helps you find a job in so many fields of expertise. Most professionals with degrees in animation work in the video gaming industry, making visual effects and characters for various platforms, as well as mobile games.

Some online bachelor’s in animation degree holders work in entertainment companies, and others with a bachelor of fine arts degree work in animation studios, marketing firms, entertainment companies, and the like.

Without a doubt, an animation bachelor’s degree, be that an online animation degree or a campus-based animation degree, this field is indeed a great career for art and technology lovers.