Want to know what the best 3D modeling schools are? Then you’re in the right place.
In this article, we’re going to share with you the 10 best schools for 3D modeling, plus how to choose the best one for you.
Ready to go? Let’s get started.
Top 10 3D modeling schools
With so many options available, finding the very best 3D modeling school can be a challenge. But don’t worry. Here, we’ve done the work for you by selecting the 10 best options. Let’s dive in.
1. Academy of Animated Art
The Academy of Animated Art (AAA) offers courses in a wide range of subjects related to animation, including 3D modeling.
I co-founded AAA to give students access to high-quality online courses so that they can learn from anywhere. We offer the mix of flexibility and expert-taught material that I wish I had access to over 20 years ago when I started my career in animation.
One question you may be asking yourself is whether you should take a course or get a degree. The answer depends on your specific goals and situation, but you should definitely explore the benefits of taking courses before making up your mind.
Benefits of Animated Art courses
Remember, a college degree is not always necessary to get a good job in 3D modeling. Instead, consider taking courses, — they can save you a lot of money while giving you all the skills you need in your career.
Plus, courses are usually more flexible and less time-consuming than getting a degree.
Those are just some of the reasons why the Academy of Animated Art should be on your list of 3D modeling schools to consider.
Academy of Animated Art courses
Here are a few of the courses offered by AAA:
Introduction to 3D Modeling
Price: $999
This self-paced online course is the perfect starting point for anyone interested in 3D modeling. It’s made specifically for beginners, so you’ll get step-by-step instructions to help you fully understand the subject matter, even if you start out with no knowledge of 3D modeling at all.
You’ll also be lucky enough to learn from an expert in the industry as the instructor is an Associate VFX Supervisor at Method Studios.
Intro to Maya Workshop
Price: $399
Maya is an industry-standard software in 3D modeling, so it’s an important tool to know how to use. In this online class, you’ll learn how to use Maya from Academy of Animated Art co-founder Michael Tanzillo, who has over 10 years of experience as a lighting artist.
More to love about this course? It’s completely self-paced, and once you enroll you’ll get a free student license for Maya!
Katana Workshop
Price: $599
Another popular software for 3D modeling is Katana — this is used to simplify the lighting process with a node-based workflow. More and more lighting artists are switching to Katana, so it’s a great tool to learn how to use.
Another benefit? This course is completely self-paced and online, offering you as much flexibility as possible.
2. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Price: $54K
The Rochester Institute of Technology is a university in Rochester, New York that offers a four-year BFA degree in 3D Digital Design. The college aims to give students who want to pursue a career in 3D design the practical tools they need to excel in that field.
Events like Creative Industry Day, where students can meet and connect with professionals in their field, are ideal for people looking to learn more about their industry.
RIT classes for the 3D Digital Design degree include Introduction to Modeling and Motion, Imaging for 3D, 3D Design I, 3D Design II, and Modeling and Motion Strategies.
3. Gnomon School of Visual Effects
Price: $31K
Gnomon School of Visual Effects is a college in Los Angeles, California. It offers degrees in a range of different creative fields related to visual effects and the gaming industry.
For those interested in 3D modeling, Gnomon offers a four-year 3D Generalist BFA degree that gives students a wide knowledge of the 3D industry. The curriculum includes topics like Character Animation, Lighting and Rendering, Digital Production, Storyboarding, and Color Theory.
During your studies, you’ll use software like Maya, Nuke, ZBrush, After Effects, Houdini, and more. Gnomon is a well-respected school and a great place to meet interesting people who share your goal of becoming a 3D modeler.
Alumni have even gone on to work at prestigious companies like Dreamworks Animation and DNEG Studios.
4. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
Price: $39K
Savannah College of Art and Design is a college with locations in Savannah and Atlanta Georgia.
It offers a four-year BFA degree in animation and gives students the option to select a concentration in 3D character animation. If you choose that concentration, you’ll take classes like Core Principles of 3D Character Animation, 3D Production Pipeline, and 3D Character Animation: Believability and Nuance.
SCAD is well-known in the industry and has received many awards and high rankings. It has been named the top design university in North and South America, the best product design school in the world, and the number one art school in the US.
SCAD is also known for offering more specializations and degree programs than any other art and design university. They offer over 100 degree programs, including Design Management, Dramatic Writing, Graphic Design, Sound Design, and Visual Effects.
5. School of Visual Arts (SVA)
Price: $46K
The School of Visual Arts is a college in New York City that offers a four-year BFA in 3D Animation and Visual Effects. Classes include 3D Animation Pipeline I and II, Introduction to Digital Tools and Techniques, Figure Drawing for 3D Artists, and Concept Art Techniques for 3D Artists.
As you can see, SVA focuses on teaching the software and techniques that are used by professionals in the industry so that you can be fully prepared to enter the workforce once you graduate.
And it’s been working — SVA graduates have gone on to work on films and TV shows like Dune, Stranger Things, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Barbie, and Top Gun: Maverick.
SVA was founded in 1947, and among the more than 43,000 graduates are Emmy, Academy, and Grammy award-winners.
6. Pratt Institute
Price: $57K
Another university that teaches 3D modeling is the Pratt Institute. They have campuses available to you in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Utica, New York.
The school offers a four-year BFA in 3D Animation and Motion Arts, which teaches key concepts and techniques with courses like 3D Modeling, 3D Animation, Character Design, Character Animation, and Storyboarding.
Students also learn how to use industry-standard software like Nuke, Maya, Houdini, Adobe Suite, ZBrush, Marvelous Designer, ProTools, and more.
Pratt Institute alumni have exhibited at Whitney Biennial and Sundance, and they’ve even received Emmy and Oscar awards. The school has also been ranked one of the top 10 colleges in the country for Animation in 2022 by Animation Career Review.
7. Ringling College of Art and Design
Price: $52K
Ringling College of Art and Design offers a four-year BFA Computer Animation Program that’s been called the number one computer animation program in North America. And no wonder…
Students at this college have received 17 Student Academy Awards since 1998, and alumni have gone on to work for Riot Games, Weta Digital, Netflix, Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks, Marvel, and other top companies.
In the Computer Animation Program, students learn how to design characters and build storylines, as well as how to paint, model, texture, animate, light, composite, and edit. The program blends technical skills with creative thinking and problem-solving so that students excel at using software and creating captivating stories.
Classes in this major include Visual Development, 3D Design, Story Development, and Traditional Animation.
8. University of Southern California
Price: $64K
The University of Southern California (USC) offers a four-year BFA degree in Animation and Digital Arts. The degree combines liberal arts with animation to give students a well-rounded skillset.
Classes include History of Animation, 3D Character Performance Animation, and Introduction to 3D Computer Animation. Students can also choose a 3D Animation in Cinematic Arts minor, which includes even more material on 3D modeling.
If you choose the 3D Animation minor, you’ll take classes including Character Development for 3D Animation and Games, 3D Animation for Motion Graphics, Organic Modeling for Animation, and Character Modeling for Animation.
USC is a university with an outstanding reputation and valuable resources. It also boasts famous alumni, including Daryl Hannah, George Lucas, and Neil Armstrong.
9. Rhode Island School of Design
Price: $57K
The Rhode Island School of Design offers a four-year bachelor’s program in Film/Animation/Video (FAV). This program has three main focuses: animation, live-action, and open media.
If you choose this degree, your classes will include Computer Generated Imagery 3D, Digital Practices, Stop-Motion Animation, and Animation Practices. These classes teach students how to use industry-standard software and how to bring their ideas to life with animation and modeling.
There are also hands-on projects where students use the skills they’ve learned to create short animations of their own. Assignments like these give students the opportunity to work on individual projects and develop their artistic style.
10. Brigham Young University (BYU) Center for Animation
Price: $6K
The Brigham Young University Center for Animation is a college located in Provo, Utah that offers a four-year BFA animation degree program.
Classes are structured to develop creativity and technical knowledge to prepare students to become professionals in the industry. They include Digital Sculpting, 3D Visual Effects, Intermediate 3D Computer Graphics, and Visual Development and Character Design.
The BYU animation program gained the attention of pros in the industry from the start, winning both a Student Emmy from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and a Student Academy Award in its first year.
Since then, students have gone on to work at studios like Blizzard, Disney, Sony, Bluesky, DreamWorks, and Pixar. They’ve also won the Nickelodeon Producer’s Choice Award and the Viewer’s Choice Award, and have been invited to show at festivals such as Sundance, Cannes, and Annecy.
How to choose the best 3D modeling school
Even with our list of 10 options, choosing which school to go to can be difficult. Here are some things you should take into account to help you find the best option for you:
- Curriculum. Familiarize yourself with the curriculums of each school so you can pick one that focuses on the areas you want to study.
- Connections. The people you meet in college can help you learn and grow in your career. Lots of professionals maintain friendships with classmates they met in college, and in some cases, these friendships lead to collaboration opportunities.
- Faculty. The faculty at a school can have a huge impact on your experience as a student. The values and experience of the faculty are important, as well as the student-to-faculty ratio. A school that has a high ratio might make you feel like you’re lost in a crowd, while a low ratio often makes it easier to ask questions and get detailed feedback from instructors.
- Location. Think about where the school is located before making a decision. The climate and the proximity to your family and friends could be important factors in your decision. Online programs usually allow you to take courses from anywhere, so you might want to consider that as an option.
- Cost. It’s a good idea to come up with a budget before you choose a school. A budget will help you narrow down your choices and find a school that works for you.
- Rankings. Attending a school with high reviews and rankings is a good way to set yourself up for success after graduation. Highly ranked schools often have exceptional programs that will give you the skills you need to land a good job.
Now you know how to choose the best option for you, let’s go over some more questions you might be asking yourself about 3D modeling schools.
Frequently asked questions about 3D modeling schools
We’ve just gone over the 10 best 3D modeling schools, but you probably still have some questions. Here are the answers to some common ones:
How long does it take to get a degree in 3D modeling?
Before you start taking classes, it’s a good idea to know what kind of time commitment you’re looking at.
The amount of time it takes to complete a degree in 3D modeling varies a lot depending on the course, so have a look at the website of the school you’re considering to learn more.
It often takes less time to learn 3D modeling by enrolling in an online course than to complete a degree. Therefore, if you want to get credentials quickly, a course might be the best option for you.
Is it worth going to college to study 3D modeling?
When deciding whether or not to go to college for 3D modeling, consider your individual goals. You’ll find there are pros and cons for each option.
Attending a university can be good for people who like to learn in person and want to experience life on a college campus. But it also comes with drawbacks…
College is usually much more expensive and time-consuming than taking online courses in 3D modeling. Some online courses are also self-paced, which allows you to go as fast or as slowly as you want. Ultimately, the right option for you depends on your specific situation.
What degree do you need for 3D modeling?
Having a degree in 3D modeling can be helpful, but it’s definitely not required to start working in the industry. Some jobs may require a degree, while others only consider your skills.
Online courses taught by professional 3D modelers are an excellent way to gain the practical skills you need to successfully land a great job. Plus, they’re usually much more affordable than a college degree, less time-consuming, and more flexible.
Next steps
So there you go! Now you know what the 10 best 3D modeling schools are.
Now, it’s over to you.
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