The 2023 Animation School Rankings have been released, and the Kent State University College of Applied and Technical Studies Animation Game Design (AGD) program is ranked 16th nationally and 20th in the Midwest. This is the 12th year for the annual rankings for animation programs. Nearly 200 schools with animation programs from across the country were considered.
The criteria used for the animation rankings included academic reputation, employment data, depth and breadth of the program faculty, value as it relates to tuition and indebtedness, graduation rate, and retention rate.
The Kent State AGD program is offered at the Kent, Stark and Tuscarawas campuses and is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Arts and Design (NASAD). Students can create digital media works, such as cartoons, digital and non-digital games, motion graphics, 3D walkthroughs, simulations, and virtual reality environments while learning contemporary concepts in their respective program concentration. All students take core courses which introduce them to the current state of the animation and game industries while building their skills with a variety of industry-standard technologies for 2D graphics, 3D models, digital sculpting, and simple animation. Once a student moves into their concentration, they engage knowledge and perspectives in their area of specialization through collaborative creative projects directed by our faculty of active industry professionals.
Graduates of Animation and Game Design programs normally work in studios specializing in 2D and 3D digital graphics, architectural visualization, virtual and augmented reality, interactive training simulations, as well as the broadcast and entertainment industries. As a field where professionals routinely integrate the work of multiple visual and audio media, students are encouraged to work collaboratively across disciplines. The selection of major electives likewise offers students pathways for building skills and knowledge in related areas.
For more information on the Bachelor of Science degree in Animation Game Design, visit https://catalog.kent.edu/colleges/ap/animation-game-design-bs/.