October 29, 2026
by Felicia Swartzenberg
‘TheWrap’ names RIT No. 21 in its list of top 50 film schools
<img src="https://cdn.rit.edu/images/news/2026-10/WEB_20260829_PAB_CreateYourself_1078.jpg" alt="RIT’s School of Film and Animation continues to rise in top film schools rankings list, with repeated recognition from industry publications like ‘TheWrap,’ ‘The Hollywood Reporter,’ and ‘Variety’ magazine.”>
RIT’s School of Film and Animation continues to rise in top film schools rankings list, with repeated recognition from industry publications like ‘TheWrap,’ ‘The Hollywood Reporter,’ and ‘Variety’ magazine.
TheWraphas named Rochester Institute of Technology’s School of Film and Animation as one of the Top 50 Film Schools of 2026. RIT was ranked No. 21 on the publications list, leaping 11 spots from last year’s No. 32 ranking.
When compiling this year’s ranking list, TheWrapsurveyed 60 different colleges and universities in the United States and employed a data-driven ranking system to determine the best places to study moviemaking.
The publication cited the following as key areas of success for RIT:
- Availability of both BFA and BS degree programs within RIT’s School of Film and Animation;
- RIT’s emphasis on student collaboration between programs which emulate the “collaboration between creatives and technologists in the industry at large;”
- Hands-on filmmaking and research facilities, including a new laboratory for motion picture technologies;
- And industry partnerships with organizations like the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
TheWrap emphasized RIT’s unique placement at the “intersection of creativity and technology” and praised its facilities like MAGIC Spell Studios, which is dedicated to digital media research and production. The studio engages students, faculty, and for-hire clients in design, film, animation, and game development using the latest technologies, while creating professional media experiences for students in and incubating new businesses.
RIT’s history as a top film school
RIT’s School of Film and Animation has been repeatedly recognized by industry publications in Hollywood. TheWrap has included RIT on its Top 50 Film Schools list for the past three years and has consistently praised the university for its hands-on opportunities for students to flex their maker-muscles and its legacy of high-achieving alumni.
The Hollywood Reporter has also included RIT in its Top 25 Film Schools ranking list in recent years, with RIT rising in rank year over year. The publication cited RIT’s emphasis on applied research in animation, visual effects, and film production, as well as the school’s first-of-its-kind motion picture science degree program in the 2026 ranking.
In April 2026, Varietymagazine recognized RIT as a top film school for the second year in a row, citing its forward-thinking curriculum and human-centered approach to engaging with artificial intelligence.
Among other outlets, Animation Career Review has also consistently named RIT’s film and animation offerings among the top degree programs in the country.
Hands-on learning sets students up for successful careers
At RIT, professional practice is integral to the educational model. Across all majors, students have access to industry-grade labs, makerspaces, studios, equipment, and technologies, including the same kinds of tools and environments they’ll encounter in the workplace.
Ricky Figueroa, director of RIT’s School of Film and Animation, believes that the school’s repeated recognition is driven by the continued impact of its students, alumni, and faculty members. That impact, he said, is a direct result of the hands-on experiences available on campus, whether in RIT’s animation studios, on-set or on-location, in virtual production environments, or in imaging science and color science research labs.
“We take pride in making sure that, from day one, we complement classroom instruction with hands-on experiences for all our students, and the industry loves this,” said Figueroa. “Upon graduation, or during co-op or internship opportunities, our students can jump into any situation and have the knowledge and knowhow necessary to understand exactly how to contribute.”
Experiential learning opportunities like the RIT in LA study away program help prepare students for career success and are a staple at RIT, which is ranked fifth among co-op/internship programs byU.S. News & World Report. RIT’s industry partnerships and designations as a Dolby Creator Lab Certified Academic Partner and as an Adobe Creative Campus directly benefit film and animation students by expanding potential experiential learning opportunities.
RIT graduates like Aaron Gordon ’13 (film and animation), co-founder and chief operating officer of Synapse VP, and Jaclyn Pytlarz ’14 (motion picture science), senior staff researcher at Dolby Labs, have made waves on the technical side of the film and entertainment industries.
Popular titles like Severanceand Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire were made possible by the work of Chris Edwards ’97 (film and animation), founder and CEO of The Third Floor. Alumna Brittney Lee ’06 (film and animation), visual development artist at Disney Animation, contributed to iconic several Disney films, including Frozen,Zootopia, and Moana.
Benefits of a tech-infused film program
The College of Art and Design at Rochester Institute of Technology brings together art, design, technology, and innovation to prepare students for creative careers and leadership across a wide range of industries. Students learn from expert faculty whose knowledge spans traditional fine arts, contemporary artistic practices, graphic design, industrial design, and digital media. College of Art and Design Alumni work at leading global organizations, including Adidas, Apple, Dolby, Google, NASA, and the Walt Disney Company.
RIT’s “maker mentality” and its commitment to cutting-edge research for the greater good plays a significant role in its ranking as a “Most Innovative” campus by U.S. News and World Report.
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