Lipscomb University’s Bachelor of Arts program in animation ranks No. 13 in the nation and top in Tennessee for the fifth consecutive year

Lipscomb University's Bachelor of Arts program in animation ranks No. 13 in the nation and top in Tennessee for the fifth consecutive year

University also recognized among nation's top private animation programs as it connects students with industry professionals and real-world career opportunities

Kim Chaudoin | 07/01/2026

Lipscomb University's animation program has once again been recognized nationally as one of the best in the country.

For the fifth consecutive year Lipscomb's Bachelor of Arts in animation program is the top-ranked program in Tennessee and was also ranked No. 13 in the nation in Animation Career Review's 2026 rankings. In addition, Lipscomb also ranks No. 36 nationally and No. 1 in Tennessee in Animation Career Review's 2026 Top 40 Private Animation Schools ranking.

Joining Lipscomb on the 2026 Top 25 Animation Bachelor's of Arts Degree Programs ranking are the University of California, Los Angeles; DePaul University; the University of Texas at Dallas; The Ohio State University; California State University, Long Beach; the University of Florida; and North Carolina State University among others. In the private school ranking, Lipscomb joins top-tier institutions including California Institute of the Arts, Savannah College of Art and Design, the University of Southern California, Pratt Institute and Brigham Young University. Lipscomb is the only private university in Tennessee included in the Top 40 Private Animation Schools ranking.

"This national recognition reflects the extraordinary talent, experience and commitment found throughout Lipscomb's animation program," said Mike Fernandez, dean of the George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts. "Our students learn from accomplished artists and storytellers who are also active industry professionals, mentors and advocates for the next generation and they are building strong portfolios, earning professional credits and developing industry relationships before they graduate. That combination of artistic excellence, personal investment, faith and real-world preparation is what makes this program so distinctive."

Animation Career Review considered 207 schools for its 2026 animation rankings. Its methodology incorporates academic reputation, employment data, admission selectivity, the depth and breadth of program faculty, value in relation to tuition and student debt, graduation rates and retention rates. The rankings are driven primarily by aggregated academic peer assessments and are validated using graduate employment outcomes and institutional data.

"There's no better way to learn how to work with a client than by doing it," said Tony Bancroft, director of Lipscomb's Imagine House Animation, whose Disney animation credits include co-directing Mulan and animating iconic characters like Pumbaa from The Lion King and Kronk from The Emperor's New Groove. "We are one of the few programs in the nation where faculty can bring professional animation projects and guide students as they work on real-world productions while completing their degrees. Through Lipscomb's independent production company, Imagine House, students earn college credit, get paid and build their résumés all at the same time."

Launched in 2015 by Bancroft's brother and veteran Disney animator Tom Bancroft, whose work includes classics such as Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Tarzan and Mulan, Lipscomb's animation program is one of the university's fastest-growing academic programs and has developed a growing national reputation over the last decade. He serves as artist-in-residence today.

A key program distinction is its faculty roster of working professionals and industry veterans. In addition to the Bancrofts, other faculty members include Mike Nawrocki, co-creator of VeggieTales and The Dead Sea Squirrels; Victoria Thornberry, whose experience includes work with Nickelodeon, DreamWorks and Warner Bros., and is currently working on the hit animated series Invincible on Amazon; Carson Montgomery, a longtime writer for the Disney series Big City Greens; Tim Allen, a background and layout designer at Nickelodeon Animation; and Jeremiah Alcorn, a character designer with Disney Television Animation, along with working artists and educators specializing in 2D, 3D and interactive media.

At Lipscomb, students may pursue a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts in animation or add an animation minor to another course of study. The curriculum includes character design, storyboarding, writing for animation, 2D character animation, computer animation, 3D modeling, lighting and animation production. BA students complete a final project, while BFA students culminate their studies with an animation capstone. Students also gain professional experience through Imagine House Animation, part of the college's innovative on-campus production house. Imagine House gives students opportunities to work alongside faculty and industry professionals on commercial and original projects, earn income and academic credit, and graduate with professional credits and portfolio-ready work.

Lipscomb also hosts the annual Animation Y'all Expo, the first professional-level animation event of its kind in the South founded by the Bancrofts. In its first two years it has had over 500 attendees each year and included industry panels, workshops, artist demonstrations, screenings, networking opportunities and more than 80 exhibitors, including representatives from Disney Animation, DreamWorks Animation and Bento Box Atlanta. Presenters included some of the industry's most respected artists, and this year's event expanded to include masterclasses, portfolio reviews and additional opportunities for students to meet studio representatives and working professionals.

The Lipscomb program's growing reputation is also reflected in recent student outcomes. One recent graduate moved from an internship into a position with Walt Disney Imagineering, while another Lipscomb student secured a Pixar internship. Alumni have also found opportunities with Pencilish Animation Studios, the Tennessee Titans and Imagine House.

John Willis, a Peachtree City, Georgia native who graduated from Lipscomb in May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in animation, is now working as a freelance animator.

"Lipscomb gave me opportunities to work on real projects, earn professional credits and even be paid for some of that work before I graduated," said Willis. "The faculty went the extra mile to help me become a better artist and a more professional animator. They were constantly looking for opportunities that would help me build my skills, strengthen my portfolio and prepare for a career."

That support extends beyond classroom instruction, Willis said, through guest speakers, industry events, internships and opportunities for students to complete paid professional work. Soon after graduation, Willis created animated promotional content for country artist Jo Dee Messina's 2026 single "Can Anybody." While at Lipscomb, Willis worked on numerous productions, including the award-winning student film The Legend of Bill and an animated segment for The Helpers, a documentary film that had its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival this year. He also completed an internship with Pencilish Animation Studios and contributed to student and professional projects that helped him build both a portfolio and industry experience.

Learn about Lipscomb University's animation program!

-Photos: Kristi Jones; Willis headshot provided by John Willis.