Skip to main content
Home
Find a school 
  • Home
  • Rankings
  • Interviews
  • Esports
  • Locations
  • Types of Jobs

Find the right school for you

Did you know? The user experience (UX) design program at Savannah College of Art and Design was developed in collaboration with Google. Learn more.

Top Animation Programs in Michigan

Written by ACR Staff. Last updated May 24, 2021.

Michigan
Examples of Top Animation Programs in Michigan
SchoolCity
College for Creative StudiesDetroit
Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State UniversityGrand Rapids
Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale
Lawrence Technological UniversitySouthfield

So, what’s the difference between a “Best” animation school and a “Top” animation school? For starters, the criteria used to establish a “best” program might be different for top programs. One area that “best of” lists might not consider is the student population. These students may choose a top school for different reasons than someone that might choose a best school. For example, a top school may cost less than a best school, it might be more convenient than a best school, or the admissions process might be easier, meaning, being wait-listed might be a worry.

Simply put, a top school can still be a beloved school (and a quality one to boot), but this might have more to do with being sensible than anything! That said, some of the best schools also made the list of top schools, so continue reading to find out which Michigan animation schools made the cut. Please note that the top schools listed below are in order by student population from largest to smallest.

Top Animation School Programs Michigan Major Cities

Ann Arbor
University of Michigan
Student Population: 27,407
Backdrop: Urban, 3,177-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. A., B. F. A. Art & Design

Detroit
College for Creative Studies
Student Population: 1,307
Backdrop: Urban, 11-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Entertainment Arts/Animation, Graphic Design, Illustration; M. F. A. Design

Find a school

Grand Rapids
Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University
Student Population: 1,141
Backdrop: Urban, 2-acre campus
B. F. A. Digital Media, Graphic Design, Illustration

Top Animation School Programs Michigan Other Cities and Towns

Allendale
Grand Valley State University
Student Population: 24,500
Backdrop: Suburban, 1,304-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A., B. A. Art and Design with Emphasis in Graphic Design, Illustration; B. A., B. S. Communications: Film and Video Production with Animation/New Media Emphasis

Mount Pleasant
Central Michigan University
Student Population: 21,698
Backdrop: Small town, 854-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. A. or B. F. A. Art with Graphic Design Concentration; M. A. Broadcast and Cinematic Arts: Electronic Media Management or Electronic Media Production

Kalamazoo
Western Michigan University
Student Population: 20,054
Backdrop: Small town, 1,200-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design, Photography, and Intermedia

Southfield
Lawrence Technological University
Student Population: 4,000
Backdrop: Small town, 102-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Game Art, Graphic Design, Imaging – Digital Arts

Adrian
Siena Heights University
Student Population: 2,307
Backdrop: Small town, 140-acre campus, easy access to Detroit
Degrees Offered: B. A., B. F. A. Art with Concentration in Graphic Design

Bloomfield Hills
Cranbrook Academy of Art
Student Population: 150+
Backdrop: Suburban, 315-acre campus, easy access to Detroit
Degrees Offered: M. F. A. 2D Design (Graphic Design)

More Programs to Consider:

Request info
Academy of Art University
Selected Campus Locations:
  • San Francisco & Online
Selected Programs: 
  • Animation
  • Game Development
  • Graphic Design
  • Illustration
Animation Career Review Rankings: 
  • 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
Request info
Full Sail University
Selected Campus Locations:
  • Winter Park, FL & Online
Selected Programs: 
  • 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
Animation Career Review Rankings: 
  • 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
Request info
CG Spectrum College of Digital Art & Animation
Selected Campus Locations:
  • Online
Selected Programs: 
  • 2D Animation
  • 3D Animation
  • 3D Modeling
  • Concept Art
  • Digital Illustration
  • Game Art
  • Game Design
  • Game Programming
  • Visual Effects

Sources

Peterson’s, www.petersons.com
Princeton Review, www.princetonreview.com
U.S. News & World Report College Rankings, www.usnews.com/rankings

Locations

Programs Schools & Colleges

Short Animation Contest

We are proud to announce our first short animation contest of 2019.

View contest gallery More info
Home
© 2025Animation Career ReviewCompany infoSign in | Register

Connect

  • Follow
  • Friend

Discover

 Find a school