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An animation degree prepares you to bring characters and stories to life through traditional, digital, or 3D animation techniques. DegreeFlex can match you with accredited animation programs that fit your goals.
An animation degree covers traditional, digital, and 3D animation techniques, closely related to the broader field of game design and sharing many of the same technical foundations. A 3d animation program specifically focuses on building characters, environments, and movement in three dimensional space.
An animation degree does not map to its own single BLS occupation. Animation graduates most closely align with roles the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies as special effects artists and animators, the same profile used for the closely related field of game design. This occupation earned a median annual wage of $102,030 as of May 2025. Employment is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035, with about 4,200 openings projected each year.
A few of the accredited schools you could be matched with.
Kaplan has offered specialized, flexible degree programs to students around the globe. Our mission is to empower a diverse student body for academic, personal, and professional success.
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Overall employment growth for the closest BLS occupation is flat
Highly competitive, especially for entry-level studio roles
Highly competitive, especially for entry-level studio roles
Crunch periods and tight deadlines are common in the industry
Building foundational traditional animation and drawing skills
Foundational training and an early portfolio in about two years
The typical minimum requirement for most studio and in-house roles
Students focused specifically on 3D modeling and animation
An animation school typically refers to an in-person program, while a computer animation degree online covers similar coursework in a remote format, though portfolio review and critique still play a central role in either.
Some animators build careers through self-teaching and a strong portfolio, but a degree for animation can provide structured feedback, technical training, and industry connections that are harder to replicate alone.
A 2D animation degree focuses on traditional and digital hand-drawn animation techniques, while a 3D animation program focuses on modeling, rigging, and animating characters in three dimensional space.
An associate degree can qualify you for some entry-level roles, though many studio positions prefer candidates with a full bachelor’s degree and a strong portfolio.
Graduates commonly find roles as 2D or 3D animators, storyboard artists, or visual effects artists, across film, television, gaming, and advertising.
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