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Ringling College of Art and Design · Computer Animation

3D Character Animation (BFA)

BFABachelor of Fine ArtsFunding not verifiedEditorial selection: Top Animation Schools in USA: Degrees & Programs

Overview

A four-year-structured, 120-credit BFA in 3D Character Animation on the Sarasota campus, with a portfolio required for admission and application plans of Early Decision, Early Action and Regular Decision.

Official program name
3D Character Animation (BFA)
Awarded degree
Bachelor of Fine ArtsBachelor's · Bachelor of Fine Arts
Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Qualification classification
Academic degreeTitled Bachelor of Fine Arts in the college catalog; the catalog entry for this major is headed Computer Animation (BFA).Titled as a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in its own national system.
Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Degree-awarding body
The institution itself unless stated otherwise on its official page.
Country
United States
Teaching language
Not verified
Application route
Common App
Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026
School
Ringling College of Art and Design — Computer Animation
Location
Sarasota, FL
Delivery
On campusClasses, studios and productions meet in person on campus.
Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Required attendance
Regular campus attendanceStudents attend classes and studios on campus throughout the program.
Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Study intensity
Not published
Duration
Not verified
Credits and credit system
Total Credits 120US semester credit hours — not directly interchangeable with other countries' systems.
Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Entry routes
Not verified

Specializations

SpecializationClassificationEvidence
3D AnimationDedicated degreeThe degree itself is in this field.Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Character AnimationDedicated degreeThe degree itself is in this field.Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Why this degree is listed

Dedicated animation bachelor's degree (BFA) at an SACSCOC-accredited college.

Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026

We list verified animation degrees only — no certificates, short courses or generic degrees with a few animation modules. Eligibility rules

Curriculum, pathways and faculty

Graduation film, thesis or capstone

Graduation filmThe catalog learning outcomes refer to a Senior Thesis in animation (animated short with sound).

Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026

Published areas of study

  • Curriculum covers design, storyboarding, 3D modeling, animation, texturing, lighting, compositing, VFX and students edit their own original films.
    Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026

Faculty listed by the program

Faculty list: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.

Software, equipment and costs

Software and equipment are shown only as the school publishes them: required, taught, provided or bought by the student. Tuition does not include hardware, software or materials unless the school says so, and online students do not automatically share campus facilities.

Software

SoftwareStatusAs published
Autodesk MayaProvided in labs / feesListed among animation software on the college technology page; students receive notebooks loaded with software tailored to their program.Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Maxon ZBrushProvided in labs / feesListed among animation software on the college technology page.Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026

Equipment, computers and facility access

Equipment loans
In their first year students receive a high-end notebook and a tablet loaded with software tailored to their program.
Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026

Published equipment and software costs

Equipment and software costs: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.

We never estimate a total cost when key expenses are unpublished. Compare equipment and software

Admissions

Each submission item is shown exactly as the school states it. Anything not listed is not verified — never “not required”.

Portfolio and submission materials

MaterialStatusInstructions as published
PortfolioRequiredVisual or written portfolio submitted digitally through the Common App portfolio (SlideRoom); required for all majors.Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Drawing samplesPathway-specific2D/3D Character AnimationPortfolio guidance for 2D/3D Character Animation encourages observational drawing from real-life references.Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026

Other requirements

Personal statement
RequiredCommon App essay of 250-650 words.
Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Recommendation letters
OptionalLetters of recommendation are optional.
Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Application fee
RequiredCommon App with a nonrefundable application fee.
Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Transcripts
RequiredOfficial high school transcript (or GED); minimum 2.0 combined GPA.
Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026

Tests

SAT / ACT
Not requiredScores may be submitted but are not required.
Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026

We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate competitiveness. Build an application checklist

Deadlines

Dates are shown with the year and intake the school printed. A past date is marked passed and is never carried into a new cycle.

  • Application deadline

    Early Decision (binding): Nov. 1 · for Fall semester

    The school does not print a year with this date.

    Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026
    Year not printed

  • Application deadline

    Early Action (non-binding): Dec. 1 · for Fall semester

    The school does not print a year with this date.

    Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026
    Year not printed

  • Application deadline

    Regular Decision (3D, non-binding): May 1 · for Fall semester

    The school does not print a year with this date.

    Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026
    Year not printed

Tuition and fees

Each amount keeps its original currency, applicant category, academic year and basis. Per-credit, per-year and whole-program figures — and different currencies — are not comparable with each other. Equipment and software costs are listed separately above.
CategoryAmountBasis and year
All students — First-year tuition, 2026-27From the school's rate table for this levelUSD 55,760per academic year · 2026-27Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026

Mandatory institutional fees

Technology fee, Computer Animation (years 2, 3, 4), per semester
USD 2,570 per semesterMandatory
Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Technology fee, first year, per semester
USD 1,530 per semesterMandatory
Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026
Application fee
USD 70 one-timeMandatory
Source: ringling.edu · verified October 14, 2026

Funding

We have not verified an official funding policy for this program. That does not mean funding is unavailable. “Fully funded” never means every personal or production expense is covered. How we classify funding

Funding not verified

Funding policy: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.

Sources and verification

Every fact on this page comes from the official pages below. Last verified October 14, 2026.
  1. ringling.edu/academic-catalog/computer-animation — Official catalog / bulletin, verified October 14, 2026
  2. ringling.edu/academics/campus-resources/technology/ — Official program page, verified October 14, 2026
  3. ringling.edu/academics/majors/3d-animation/ — Official program page, verified October 14, 2026
  4. ringling.edu/admissions/apply/admission-requirements/ — Official program page, verified October 14, 2026
  5. ringling.edu/admissions/apply/important-dates/computer-animation-majors-dates/ — Official program page, verified October 14, 2026
  6. ringling.edu/admissions/apply/portfolio-prep/ — Official program page, verified October 14, 2026
  7. ringling.edu/admissions/financial-aid-and-tuition/tuition/ — Official tuition and fees page, verified October 14, 2026

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