Animation Careers Start at Columbia
Bring Worlds to Life With the Animation and Computer Graphics Degree at a Top College for Animation
Columbia College Chicago’s Animation and Computer Graphics BA gives you the tools to bring stories and worlds to life. You’ll choose from one of four concentrations — computer animation, traditional animation, CVFX (Computer Vision and Visual Effects), or game art — so your coursework aligns with your creative focus.
As an animation major, you will:
- Learn industry software and tools to build virtual environments and CG characters.
- Produce your own animated film as your capstone project in your senior year.
- Screen your capstone project at Columbia’s Manifest Film Festival.
- Connect with industry through our semester in LA program.
- Study with professors connected to studios such as Nickelodeon, Warner Bros., and Disney.
- Create a professional portfolio.
Ranked among the top colleges for animation in the Midwest, Columbia helps you develop the skills employers want. Connect with us and take action toward your career as a professional in the animation world.
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Gain a Competitive Edge at a Top School with Animation Majors
Why Go to College for Animation in Chicago?
At Columbia, your campus is the city. Our South Loop location puts you steps from world-class museums, theaters, design firms, and media outlets, meaning inspiration and opportunity are never far away. Chicago is a living lab where you’ll test ideas, build meaningful connections, and gain real-world experience.
Plus, as a full-time student, you’ll have a Ventra U-Pass, giving you unlimited access to the city’s transit system so you can explore every area of Chicago with ease. From grabbing food with friends to walking through exhibits at the Art Institute, the city is part of everyday life.
Columbia’s Animation Degree by the Numbers
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Creative Careers Start at Columbia
Columbia grads launch creative careers across industries — from design and media to performance, business, and tech. Ninety-six percent of recent graduates report being employed or achieving success in creative practice, and you'll graduate career ready and connected too.
Columbia animation grads are working at top employers in the field, including Disney, Pixar, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Warner Bros., and DreamWorks Studios.
"Coming into Columbia with very little knowledge of how to put my work together, where to begin, and how to move forward with the skills I learned within my classes, the Career Center knew exactly how to help me navigate my way through finding and preparing for this first internship."
— Kara Dominique Garcia, BFA ’25, Traditional Animation, Minor in IllustrationScreening Operations Intern, Netflix
Columbia Makes Art School in Chicago More Affordable
A Columbia degree is an investment in your creativity—and we're committed to making it accessible. With 99 percent of first-year students receiving financial aid, you'll find the support you need to focus on what matters most: creating.
Ways Columbia helps you save:
- Merit-Based Scholarships: You're automatically considered for these when you apply to Columbia.
- Talent-Based Scholarships: You can choose to apply by submitting a portfolio or completing an audition.
- Visit and FAFSA Awards: Up to $8,000 over four years for visiting campus, plus $1,000 just for filing the FAFSA.
Faculty Spotlight: Jim Rohn
As associate professor and animation instructor, Jim blends his experience creating comic book covers, graphic novels, and video game work with hands-on teaching. He guides animation students through the full production process using a real-world studio mindset.
“Columbia students are very talented, very motivated, very clear on the calling they have as artists. They want to create work for the world.”