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3d modeler education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a 3d modeler. 3d modelers usually study animation, graphic design, or computer science. 67% of 3d modelers hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,261 real 3d modeler resumes to see exactly what 3d modeler education sections show.
The most common colleges for 3d modelers are the Full Sail University and the Full Sail University.
There are also many online 3d modeler courses to help get the education required to be a 3d modeler.
What education do you need to become a 3d modeler?
What degree do you need to be a 3d modeler?
- Bachelor's, 67%
- Associate, 21%
- Master's, 7%
- High School Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a 3d modeler?
- Animation, 22%
- Graphic Design, 18%
- Computer Science, 11%
- Other Majors, 41%
Most common colleges for 3d modelers
| 3d modeler common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Full Sail University | 15.82% |
| Academy of Art University | 13.27% |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | 7.14% |
| The Art Institute of Philadelphia | 7.14% |
| Otis College of Art and Design | 5.10% |
Best majors for 3d modelers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Animation | 22.1% |
| 2 | Graphic Design | 18.4% |
| 3 | Computer Science | 11.1% |
| 4 | Drafting And Design | 8.3% |
| 5 | Fine Arts | 7.4% |
Best colleges for 3d modelers
The best colleges for 3d modelers are University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, and Northwestern University.
A 3d modeler with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for 3d modelers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become 3d modelers.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
3. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
4. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
5. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
7. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
8. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
9. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
10. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
20 best online courses for 3d modelers
Advertising disclosure
1. Game Asset Crash Course - 3D Modeling in Blender and 3D-Coat
Learn 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering with Blender and 3D-Coat by creating AAA ready game assets...
2. Game Asset Creation With Houdini
3D Modelling in Houdini...
3. Model and Texture a Stylized Dungeon for Games
Learn the skills to create amazing models and textures to build a stylized environment from start to finish!...
4. Hard Surface Modelling in Maya
Model hard surface objects inside of Maya with proper topology and edge flow...
5. Unreal Engine 5 Megacourse: Create Games in UE5 & Blender
Learn how to develop games in Unreal Engine 5 and to create assets in Blender with this project-based course!...
6. Realistic Character Modeling For Game In Maya and Zbrush
An In depth Course on Modeling and Sculpting Realistic Human Character for Beginners to Intermediate Level...
7. 3D Modeling & Animation with Maya
Have fun creating anything you want in Maya. Create your own 3d worlds! Learn creature & character design/animation!...
8. Learn Blender 3D Modeling for Unity Video Game Development
Learn to Create or Edit Props, Design Levels, Apply Material and Simple Animations using Blender 3D for Unity Developers...
9. Learn the ART of Video Games
Learn to create game environments. Draw concept art, create 3D models, texture in Substance Painter and build in Unity...
10. Blender to Unreal Engine 5
Complete Guide To Learning How To Create AAA Game Assets In Blender and Then Export to Unreal Engine 5...
11. Complete Blender Creator: Learn 3D Modelling for Beginners
Use Blender to Create Beautiful 3D models for Video Games, 3D Printing & More. Beginners Level Course...
12. Model And Texture Stylized Props for Videogames 2018
Learn to model and texture stylized game assets from scratch...
13. Blender & Substance: Modeling and texturing videogame props
Learn the complete workflow of the models for videogames and create ¡five assets! using Blender and Substance Painter...
14. Unreal Engine: Intro to Game Design
Like Fortnite? Master the tools used to build it as we build a simple shooting gallery game using the Unreal Engine!...
15. Unreal Engine 5 Blueprints: Develop Your First Two Games
Create a 3D platformer and shooter using Unreal Engine 5 Blueprints. Become a game developer!...
16. 3ds Max: Model High-Poly Assets For Your Arch Viz Scenes
Use 3ds Max poly modelling, Mudbox Sculpting, Custom Photoshop Textures and Vray Materials to create high poly 3d assets...
17. How to Texture 3D Aircraft Model in Maya & Substance Painter
Master 3D Texturing & Modeling With Maya & Substance Painter: How to make high-quality textures from scratch!...
18. Become a Game Designer the Complete Series Coding to Design
Master Unity, 3D game design, 2D game design, coding, C#, game development, 3D animation, programming, level design.....
19. Video Game Weapon Course: Modeling / Substance Painter 2
Learn how to model, unwrap, and texture weapons for games. Use Maya and Substance Painter 2 to create AAA quality models...
20. Pro Unreal Engine Game Coding
The black book on how to survive on the battlefield of real-world C++ game programming...
Top 10 most affordable universities for 3d modelers
The most affordable schools for 3d modelers are Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, fashion institute of technology, and california state university - los angeles.
If the best universities for 3d modelers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for 3d modelers.
1. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
2. Fashion Institute of Technology
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$5,740
Cost of attendance
17,864
3. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
6. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
7. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
8. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
9. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
10. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for 3d modelers
The hardest universities for 3d modelers to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for 3d modelers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for 3d modelers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
2. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
5. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
6. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
8. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
9. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
10. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for 3d modelers
The easiest schools for 3d modelers to get into are Cardinal Stritch University, grand view university, and notre dame de namur university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a 3d modeler without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for 3d modelers.
1. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
2. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
3. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
4. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
5. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
6. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
7. Linfield College
McMinnville, OR • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,117
8. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
9. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
10. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
Average 3d modeler salary by education level
| 3d modeler education level | 3d modeler salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $87,343 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $66,058 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $85,152 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $72,359 |
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025