Online Animation Degrees
Have you ever wondered who works behind the scenes of some of your favorite animated movies? Computer animators draw thousands of frames and slightly shift each one to create one single motion picture. Although the process may seem slow, the technology behind the industry has changed very quickly over the past decade. Here are just a few highlights about the animation industry.

5 Facts About the Animation Industry
- In 2009, the animation industry made a gross profit of nearly 75 billion USD
- In June 2011, the average pay for a computer animator was over $54,000 annually, SimplyHired.com.
- The computer animation film, Avatar, was the first film to gross more than $2 billion at the box office. It was also nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, and won three, for Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, and Best Art Direction.
- DreamWorks Animations SKG (DreamWorks Studios) was ranked number 6 in America’s top 100 companies to work for in 2010.
- More than half of the top 20 movies for 2007 were computer animated.
Career Outlook for Animation
People love computer animation and the industry has proved it with it's growth despite the continuation of a worldwide economic recession. It’s estimated that by 2012, the worldwide media industry, which includes animation will grow by an average of 6.6% annually to reach $2.2 trillion USD. The video gaming industry, which also depends extensively on computer animation, topped $25 billion on 2010
Job Growth for Animation Industry

The above graph is the the predicted career growth for the animation industry through 2018. Information provided by the BLS.gov website.
Animation Salary Information
“Most animators are following their passion in life, so it’s not a big surprise that it’s one of the occupations where people are the happiest,” says Bobby Beck, CEO and co-founder of Animation Mentor.

Above is a graph of the animation industry jobs and their average salaries in 2008. Information provided by the BLS.gov website.
Animation Education Requirements
Animation industry education
The animation industry isn’t just about picking up a notebook and creating lovely sketches. Animators must be artists with technical flare. The animators of today get to utilize animation software and computers with the ease of a paintbrush.
Animation training and degree options
All jobs in this industry require workers to have a high school diploma or a GED. It’s mandatory. For the technical heavy jobs, like multimedia animator, graphic designer, gaming developer, a college degree is usually required.
- Bachelor’s Degree (4 years of College) in Multimedia Animation/Graphic Design/or related Field (Best Option)
- Associate’s Degree (2 years of College) in Computer Animation
- College Certification or Diploma (18 months or less) in Multimedia Animation/Graphic Design
As mentioned above, employers usually like to hire animation industry workers with a bachelor’s degree. However, some companies will allow workers with associate’s degrees and college/diploma certification to be hired and then gain experience while on the job. To get hired at the best studios, a bachelor’s degree has to be your calling card.
Education animation career requirements

Different animation careers have different educational requirements. The above graph looks at different jobs found in the animation industry and their basic educational requirements.
Accredited Colleges and Universities
Online Schools with Animation programs
Full Sail University
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Computer Animation (Bachelor of Science)
Full Sail University's online Computer Animation Bachelor's Degree Program focuses on the practical application of 3-D computer graphics for careers in the entertainment media industry, teaching the processes used to develop animated content for games, television, feature films, and more. You'll learn to master each step of production through a custom-built, online platform where you'll work under the guidance of industry veterans to master the techniques of a professional animator.
Course Highlights:
- 3-D Animation
- Motion Capture
- Compositing and Scene Finishing
- Shading and Lighting
- Production Modeling
- Character Rigging
Campus-based Schools with Animation programs
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Westwood - Atlanta Midtown (Atlanta, GA)
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Westwood - Atlanta Northlake (Atlanta, GA)
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Westwood - Chicago DuPage (Woodridge, IL)
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Westwood - Chicago Loop (Chicago, IL)
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Westwood - Chicago O'Hare Airport (Chicago, IL)
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Westwood - Chicago River Oaks (Calumet City, IL)
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Westwood - Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA)
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Westwood - South Bay (Torrance, CA)
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Westwood - Virginia Annandale (Annandale, VA)
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Westwood - Virginia Arlington Ballston (Arlington, VA)