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Computer animator education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a computer animator. Computer animators usually study computer science, animation, or fine arts. 66% of computer animators hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 119 real computer animator resumes to see exactly what computer animator education sections show.
The most common colleges for computer animators are the Ringling College of Art and Design and the Ringling College of Art and Design.
There are also many online computer animator courses to help get the education required to be a computer animator.
What education do you need to become a computer animator?
What degree do you need to be a computer animator?
- Bachelor's, 66%
- Associate, 21%
- Master's, 7%
- Diploma, 6%
What should I major in to become a computer animator?
- Computer Science, 27%
- Animation, 12%
- Fine Arts, 11%
- Graphic Design, 11%
- Other Majors, 39%
Most common colleges for computer animators
| Computer animator common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Ringling College of Art and Design | 19.35% |
| Full Sail University | 6.45% |
| Miami International University of Art and Design | 6.45% |
| University of Southern California | 6.45% |
| New York Institute of Technology | 6.45% |
Best majors for computer animators
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Science | 27.4% |
| 2 | Animation | 12.3% |
| 3 | Fine Arts | 11.0% |
| 4 | Graphic Design | 11.0% |
| 5 | Architecture | 6.8% |
Best colleges for computer animators
The best colleges for computer animators are Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, and Carnegie Mellon University.
A computer animator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for computer animators. 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 computer animators.
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. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
5. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
6. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
7. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
8. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
9. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
10. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
20 best online courses for computer animators
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Top 10 most affordable universities for computer animators
The most affordable schools for computer animators are University of Florida, fashion institute of technology, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for computer animators 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 computer animators.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Fashion Institute of Technology
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$5,740
Cost of attendance
17,864
3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
6. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,140
Cost of attendance
14,430
7. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
8. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
9. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
10. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for computer animators
The hardest universities for computer animators to get into are Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, and Carnegie Mellon University.
Some great schools for computer animators 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 computer animators 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. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
5. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
6. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
8. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
9. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
10. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for computer animators
The easiest schools for computer animators to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, cardinal stritch university, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a computer animator 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 computer animators.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
3. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
5. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
6. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
7. Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
67%
SAT average
987
8. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
9. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
10. Linfield College
McMinnville, OR • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,117
Average computer animator salary by education level
| Computer animator education level | Computer animator salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $90,828 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $73,037 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $89,045 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $78,420 |
Computer animator education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025