Hello. I just started applying to colleges for a degree in Digital Arts, but there’s so little information online, and I really want to know what my best options are. So far I’ve applied for NYU, SVA, SAIC, Pratt Institute, Parsons, and MICA. I am applying for more, but these are all the fine arts centric schools which I am applying to. Does anyone know which one has the best reputation / strongest digital arts and new media programs?
I know digital arts is different from animation, but animation career review magazine posts an annual list of rankings of animation programs that may be of some use. SVA, Pratt and NYU are all in the top 10:
https://www.animationcareerreview.com/articles/top-50-animation-schools-and-colleges-us-2023-college-rankings
I’ve seen some other lists through googling as well.
Good luck!
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If you’re open to non-East Coast options, I’d look into Carnegie Mellon and CalArts.
Are you 100% positive that you want a digital arts degree, or is that the field that is currently #1, but you’re open to other possibilities? Many students change their minds during college, so if you think that you might be one of them, attending a school that is not just a fine arts institution might be beneficial.
Also, have you looked at the costs for all of these schools? Your family should run the Net Price Calculator to make sure they’re affordable, preferably without any loans being taken out.
Lastly, make sure you have at least one (and preferably more than one) school where you would be happy to attend, are extremely likely to be affordable, and that are extremely likely acceptances. I am not an arts specialist, but my impression is that admission to the schools on your list can be quite challenging.
I have heard very good things about Rochester Institute of Technology’s options in this area.
If you’re looking for schools where odds of admission are higher, you may want to take a look into Bowling Green (OH) and Virginia Commonwealth in Richmond.