The State of Tennessee is home to 109 Title IV degree-granting institutions. A Title IV school must (1) have accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, (2) offer a program of at least 300 clock hours in length, (3) sign a participation agreement with the Department, (4) grant an associate's degree or higher, and (5) be in business for at least two years. Once the school has met these requirements, it becomes eligible for a variety of federal financial aid programs. This makes them more accessible to students that may need help meeting tuition and other education-related costs.
Many Title IV schools in Tennessee offer excellent art and design programs. This includes animation. Some are expensive, while others are considered affordable. Just a few of the state’s most affordable schools for aspiring animators are Middle Tennessee State University and East Tennessee State University.
Continue reading to find out which Tennessee schools offer animation programs and how much you can expect to pay.
Most Expensive Tennessee Animation Schools
O’More College of Design, Franklin – Tuition Information: Undergraduate $26,688 for the 2014-2015 school year.
Southern Adventist University, Collegedale – Tuition Information: Undergraduate $19,850 for rhe 2015-2016 school year.
The Art Institute of Tennessee, Nashville - Tuition Information: Undergraduate $17,496 (12 credit hours per quarter for three quarters/$486 per credit hour) for the 2015-2016 school year.
Least Expensive Tennessee Animation Schools
Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro – Tuition Information: Undergraduate residents $8,296, nonresidents $25,584 for the 2015-2016 school year.
East Tennessee State University, Johnson City – Tuition Information: Undergraduate residents $6,504 (12 credit hours per semester), nonresidents $16,965 (12 credit hours per semester) for the 2015-2016 school year.
More Tennessee Animation related programs to consider:
- San Francisco & Online
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#14) - 2021
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#37) - 2021
- Top 50 Nationally for Illustration (#24) - 2021
- Top 50 Nationally for Graphic Design (#38) - 2021
- Winter Park, FL & Online
- Computer Animation - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Game Programs - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Graphic Design & Digital Arts - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Film & Digital Cinematography - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Mobile Development - Bachelor's - Online
- Simulation & Visualization - Bachelor's - Campus
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#11) - 2021
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#10) - 2021
- Top 25 in the South for Graphic Design (#10) - 2021
- Online
Tennessee Animation Scene
Tennessee is home to 28,860 professionals working in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media occupations. Around 200 are multimedia artists and animators earning an average salary of $51,050 per year. Like other multimedia artists and animators around the country, Tennessee-based animators work in the film and video industries, advertising, public relations, computer systems design, and software publishing.
The state is home to hundreds of production studios, creative agencies, computer design and information technology companies, public relations firms, and more. Just a few employment options include:
- BOHAN, Nashville
- Fivestone Studios, Nashville
- FMB Advertising, Knoxville
- FunnyPages Productions, Franklin
- Gish, Sherwood & Friends, Nashville
- GS&F, Nashville
- KMT Creative Group, Chattanooga
- Magnetic Dreams Animation Studio, Nashville
- Morris Creative Group, Knoxville
- NorthStar Studios, Nashville
- PK Pictures, Nashville
- Scripps Networks, Knoxville
- Speak Creative, Memphis
- The Buntin Group, Nashville
- The Tombras Group, Knoxville
While job opportunities can be found in many cities across the state, a larger number of opportunities for animators can be found in major cities. Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville, and Murfreesboro are the state’s largest. Although smaller, Franklin, Jackson, and Johnson City are worth exploring.
Awesome Animation Fact: Did you know that The Simpsons began as spots on the Tracey Ullman Show back in 1987? David Silverman, who had just graduated from UCLA, was one of the 2-3 original animators. Today, Mr. Silverman holds the title for most episodes directed and The Simpsons is the longest-running prime time series in U.S. history. -Dan McLaughlin, UCLA Animation Workshop