Illinois Graphic Art & Animation Schools

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

• A public institution, Southern Illinois University in Carbondale is in a rural area, around 95 miles from St. Louis, Missouri. Home to more than 20,300 undergraduate and graduate students, the college received the 183rd-place ranking among all universities in the United States in the "Best Colleges 2011" rankings published by "U.S. News and World Report." The university offers bachelor's degree programs in digital media arts and animation, three-dimensional computer animation and communication design. The computer animation degree provides students with the option to complete an internship at an animation studio in the United States. The digital media degree includes coursework in electronic journalism, sound and production in addition to animation, while the communications design program includes coursework in web design and graphic arts. Master's degrees in media arts and design are also offered. Around 82 percent of all freshmen at the university receive some form of financial aid, according to the "2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges." Illinois residents receive discounted tuition rates.

  Southern Illinois University Carbondale

  Carbondale, IL 62901

  618-536-4405

  siu.edu

DePaul University

• The Vincentian Order of the Roman Catholic Church founded DePaul University in 1888 in Chicago, and since that time enrollment at the college has grown to more than 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students. "U.S. News and World Report" rated the school 136th among all universities in the United States in its "Best Colleges 2011" rankings. The college offers a bachelor's degree in animation, which covers animating characters for television, film and electronic games and requires the completion of a senior-year design project. A Bachelor of Science in computer graphics design is also available and geared toward students who wish to create art, graphics and digital effects for films and television. A bachelor's degree program in interactive media is available for students interested in web development and graphic design. Master's degrees in computer graphics are also featured. Around 59 percent of all students at DePaul benefit from some form of financial aid, explains the "2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges."

  DePaul University

  1 E. Jackson Blvd.

  Chicago, IL 60604

  312-362-8300

  depaul.edu

Bradley University

• Located in Peoria, Bradley University is a private, nonsectarian institution with approximately 5,800 undergraduate and graduate students. The college received the sixth-place ranking among all universities in the Midwestern United States in the "Best Colleges 2011" from "U.S. News and World Report." The university offers a baccalaureate program in graphic arts, which culminates in formal portfolio presentation and the opportunity to participate in an industry internship. The college also grants bachelor's degrees in animation and visual effects, game design animation and design for web pages. A portfolio review or senior project is necessary for all three courses of study. Approximately 64 percent of freshmen and 57 percent of full-time students are financial aid recipients, reports the "2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges."

  Bradley University

  1501 W. Bradley Ave.

  Peoria, IL 61625

  800-447-6460

  bradley.edu