<p>There are a couple of other schools that I would recommend in addition to Ringling and CalArts.</p>
<ol>
<li>School of Visual arts in NY: This is probably the best 3d grad school in the east coast after Ringling. They also have a strong 2d animation program in their undergrad offerings. It also has the huge advantage, ( and the cost disadvantage) of being in Manhattan. Let’s face it: You will get more internship opportunities in Manhattan vs. Bum crap iowa or savannah.Moreover, all their professors are currently working in the industry and thus have a LOT of connections.In addition to their traditional major in 2d animation , they have a 3d concentration in it as well as a computer art major.</li>
</ol>
<p>2.SCAD: SCAD has a very strong 3d and 2d program including a strong sequential art program. They even have a sound design major. Moreover, you can take courses from all disciplines. However, they are in Savannah and not a great area of Savannah at that… enough said.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>USC: Very well known and strong program on the west coast. However, like their Calarts counterpart, where many prefessors come from, they are very 2d oriented including wanting a strong 2d portfolio.</p></li>
<li><p>Cal Arts: Widely considered the best school in US for animation,but is very 2d oriented. They have both character animation ( which is primarily 2d) and experimental animation. Be advised that CalArts is widely considered a primarily 2d oriented school.</p></li>
<li><p>RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology): RIT is the newest member of the elite programs offering animation. They have both a 2d and 3d program and courses can be taken from both offerings. I like their program a LOT; Also, they are in Rochester, which limits connections and are a relatively new program.</p>
<ol>
<li>Ringling: A number of folks recommended Ringling ,which has the top ranking for 3d animation. However, it is primarily a 3d oriented school. Don’t expect much scholarship money from them too.</li>
<li>Academy of Art University in San Fran. This is NOT part of the Art Institutes and like RIT have both a 2d and 3d oriented animation majors. They have good rankings and a good representation in the industry of its grads. Other than that, I don’t know much about them.</li>
</ol></li>
</ol>
<p>8.Digipen in Redmond, WA. They have a strong animation program,but it geared towards entertainment design/game design. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Pratt Institute supposedly has a good program. Moreover, they are in NY,which helps with internships and connections.</p></li>
<li><p>RISD has a very good 2d animation program. It isn’t as well ranked as some of the other programs mentioned here, but it is supposed to be good.</p></li>
<li><p>San Jose State University in Calif: Supposedly has a very strong program. However, I don’t know much about their program.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>12.Fashion Institute of Technology supposedly has an up in coming program. Moreover, it is part of the NY State University system,which makes them very reasonable in tuition. It is a relatively new program. Thus, I don’t know much about them.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Drexel University’s Digital Media Department in the Westphal College of Media Art and Design supposedly has a good program. I don’t know anything about them though.</p>
<ol>
<li>Laguna College of Art and Design is a good combination of an animation program and a small liberal arts school. I don’t know enough about them though.</li>
<li>Dupaul University supposedly has a strong program. It certainly looks good on paper.</li>
<li>SAIC ( School of Art Institute in Chicago) supposedly has a very good program. It is also a top program for painting and illustration too. </li>
<li>I know that UCLA has a top ranked animation grad program , although they too are primarily 2d oriented. I don’t know about their undergrad offerings.</li>
<li>Florida State University, College of Motion Picture Arts has garnered a good reputation for its animation offerings. You should check them out. In fact, you should check out all the schools mentioned. </li>
</ol></li>
</ol>
<p>Finally, whatever program you decide on, get a subscription to Gnomon’s video library. It is only a few hundred dollars a year,and you will have access to training by some of the best people in the US on a wide variety of topics.
I hope all this helps and that I didn’t overwhelm you with the vast array of choices.</p>