Best Animation Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Salary
The Indian Media & entertainment industry, including Animation, is booming, according to industry reports. It is expected to go beyond INR 4 lakh crore by 2030. India has more than 1400 Animation Colleges consisting of government, private and semi-government colleges. Animation education is offered at multiple levels like certificate and diploma level, UG, PG, and integrated programmes. LPU, Amity University Noida, NID Ahmedabad, Loyola College, Parul University, etc. are some of the top colleges. Admission to these colleges are mainly based on Class 12 marks basis or some universities accept entrance exam like CUET.
The Indian Media & entertainment industry, including Animation, is booming, according to industry reports. It is expected to go beyond INR 4 lakh crore by 2030. India has more than 1400 Animation Colleges consisting of government, private and semi-government colleges. Animation education is offered at multiple levels like certificate and diploma level, UG, PG, and integrated programmes. LPU, Amity University Noida, NID Ahmedabad, Loyola College, Parul University, etc. are some of the top colleges. Admission to these colleges are mainly based on Class 12 marks basis or some universities accept entrance exam like CUET.
- Best Animation Colleges in India: Known Facts 2026
- Eligibility Criteria for Admission to Indian Animation Colleges 2026
- Entrance Exams Accepted in Animation Colleges in India 2026
- Best Private Animation Colleges in India
- ROI of the Best Private Animation Colleges in India
- Low-cost Private Animation Colleges in India
- Best Government Animation Colleges in India
- Best Animation Colleges in India with Direct Admission
- Comparison of the Best Animation Colleges in India 2026
Best Animation Colleges in India: Known Facts 2026
| Particulars |
Statistics |
|---|---|
| Total No. of Animation colleges in India |
1,400+ colleges |
| Top Animation specialisations offered in Indian colleges |
Graphic Design, Web Design, Game Design, 3DS Max, Photoshop, etc. |
| Tuition fee range of Animation colleges |
~ INR 800 - INR 30+ lakh |
| Median Salary offered by Animation Institutes |
~ INR 3 LPA - INR 10 LPA |
| Admission Process |
Eligibility Criteria for Admission to Indian Animation Colleges 2026
Listed below is the eligibility criteria of the top Animation colleges in India -
- To get admission to Animation colleges in India, candidates must pass Class 12 boards ith 50% aggregate.
- Admissions are based on merit or entrance exams like NID DAT, CUET, NIFT, or college-specific tests.
Entrance Exams Accepted in Animation Colleges in India 2026
Candidates have score 50% aggregate marks in UG courses or clear entrance exams like CUET, NID and NIFT for admission to Animation colleges. Here is the table below showing entrance exams with schedule and college predictor -
| Exam Name |
Exam Schedule |
Exam College Predictor |
|---|---|---|
| CUET |
CUET College Predictor | |
| NID College Predictor | ||
| NIFT Entrance Exam |
NIFT College Predictor |
Best Private Animation Colleges in India
Top private animation colleges in India offer BSc, BDes, diplomas with fees ranging from INR 89,000 to 20+ Lakhs. Private colleges have better studio standard infrastructure, better placement and creative collaborations than normal universities. Listed below are some of the top 10 animation colleges in India privately owned and their fees -
| Private Colleges | Tuition Fee | Entrance Exam |
|---|---|---|
| LPU Animation Courses | INR 3 lakh - INR 11.2 lakh | LPU NEST, NIFT, NID, etc. |
| Amity University Noida Animation Courses | INR 2.88 lakh - INR 6.36 lakh | CUET |
| Loyola College Animation Courses | INR 1.23 lakh - INR 3.28 lakh | Merit basis |
| Parul University Animation Courses | INR 25,000 - INR 7 lakh | Merit basis |
| Chandigarh University Animation Courses | INR 2.48 lakh - INR 8.52 lakh | CUCET |
| Amity University Mumbai Animation Courses | INR 3 lakh - INR 4.5 lakh | Merit basis |
| Arena Animation Mumbai Animation Courses | INR 89,100 - INR 5 lakh | Merit basis |
| Galgotias University Animation Courses | INR 75,000 - INR 4.23 lakh | CUET |
| Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh Animation Courses | INR 7.2 lakh | JEE Main |
| VIT Vellore Animation Courses | INR 1 lakh - INR 2.97 lakh | VITREE |
Note: All info. is from official sites and can change.
ROI of the Best Private Animation Colleges in India
Private animation colleges in India offer a moderate to high ROI, with top colleges like AAFT Noida reporting median packages around INR 10 LPA, often costing INR 97,000 - INR 8.32 lakh. Top private colleges offer excellent placement support in VFX/gaming. Here is the table below showing the top private Animation colleges with fees and median salary -
| Top Colleges |
Tuition Fee |
Median Placement Package |
|---|---|---|
| Amity University, Gurugram Placements | INR 4.16 lakh | INR 3.6 LPA |
| Sister Nivedita University Placements | INR 50,000 - INR 5.95 lakh | INR 5.5 LPA - INR 7.5 LPA |
| AAFT Noida Placements | INR 97,000 - INR 8.32 lakh | INR 10 LPA |
| SVSU - Swami Vivekanand Subharti University Placements | INR 1.01 lakh - INR 2.3 lakh | INR 3 LPA |
| School of Architecture and Design, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies Placements | INR 12.23 lakh | INR 5 LPA |
Note: All info. is from official sites and can change.
Low-cost Private Animation Colleges in India
Several private animation colleges in India offer industry-relevant courses at very reasonable fees. Check out the tuition fee details of some of the most popular affordable private colleges options below.
| Cheap Animation Colleges in India | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| Sri Aurobindo Centre For Arts And Communication Fees | INR 75,000 |
| Moople Institute of Animation and Design, Barrackpore Fees | INR 49,560 - INR 64,900 |
| Tron School of Animation, Aurangabad Fees | INR 28,000 - INR 80,000 |
| Arena Animation, Vile Parle Fees | INR 23,000 - INR 80,000 |
| Sankalchand Patel University Fees | INR 45,000 - INR 65,000 |
NOTE: The affordable tuition fees given above are from the college's official site and can change.
Best Government Animation Colleges in India
Top govt. Animation colleges in India like NID Ahmedabad, IIT Bombay (IDC), have the best education and placement opportunities and relatively low fees compared to the private animation colleges. Admission is highly competitive and normally requires the Design Aptitude Test (DAT). Given below are some of the top colleges with tuition fees -
| Government Colleges | Tuition Fee | Entrance Exam |
|---|---|---|
| INR 13.1 lakh – INR 18.04 lakh |
NID DAT |
|
| UNIPUNE - Savitribai Phule Pune University Animation Courses | INR 1.35 lakh - INR 2.9 lakh | Merit basis |
| IGNOU - Indira Gandhi National Open University Animation Courses | INR 10,000 | Merit basis |
| University of Madras Animation Courses | INR 3,000 | Merit basis |
| Bangalore University Animation Courses | INR 20,500 | Merit basis |
Note: All info. given above are from official college's sites and can change.
Best Animation Colleges in India with Direct Admission
Top animation colleges in India with direct admission include top private institutions. Animation colleges offer B.Sc, B.Des, and diploma programs in animation without rigorous entrance exams.
| College Names | Tuition Fee | Direct Admission Process |
|---|---|---|
| IIFA Multimedia Bangalore Admission | INR 1.9 lakh - INR 6.2 lakh | based on academic merit |
| ICAT Design and Media College Admission | INR 1.6 lakh - INR 6 lakh | passing a mandatory Aptitude Test and Personal Interview |
| Adamas University, Kolkata Admission | INR 1.7 lakh - INR 8.7 lakh | based on academic merit |
Note: All info. is from official sites and can change.
Comparison of the Best Animation Colleges in India 2026
To check the comparison between the top Animation colleges in India, click on the links below.
Best Animation Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Salary
Commonly asked questions On Best Animation Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Salary
As per the popularity basis by shiksha.com, listed below are some of the top Animation colleges in India with their tuition fees -
| Top Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| LPU | INR 3 lakh - INR 11.2 lakh |
| Amity University Noida | INR 2.88 lakh - INR 6.36 lakh |
| NID Ahmedabad | INR 13.1 lakh - INR 18.04 lakh |
| Loyola College | INR 1.23 lakh - INR 3.82 lakh |
| Parul University | INR 25,000 - INR 7 lakh |
Source: Official site of the colleges and may vary.
India has about 1,400+ Animation colleges, including private, government, and semi-government colleges. The top colleges are LPU, Amity University Noida, Arena Animation, NID Ahmedabad, and many others.
Admission usually based on merit basis or through CUET, NID, NIFT entrance exam in the best Animation colleges in India.
No there should not be any hassle in case of admission after a gap year in private universities. Every year many students take gap year or some like to call it a drop year to take their time to reflect and decide on their eventual career path
Here are some popular Online VFX certification options you can consider:
| Course Name | Course Provider | Course Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Program in Visual Effects (ADVFX Plus) | Maya Academy | INR 3.08 Lakh |
| Advanced Program in 3D Animation (AD3D EDGE Plus) | Frameboxx 2.0 | INR 2.25 Lakh |
| ACS-CGI and VFZ for Films (VFX Film making) | Arena Animation | INR 3.27 Lakh |
| Certificate in Graphics, Animation, VFX, and Gaming | Boston Institute of Analytics | INR 75,000 |
| Professional Development Program In 3D Animation and VFX | Zee Institute of Creative Art | INR 3.3 Lakh |
Note: The information is taken from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.
Yes, students can get direct admission in Artemisia College of Art and Design for some courses. Any student getting selected based on the portfolio is eligible for early admission and can skip the entrance test. For merit-based admissions, prefernce will be given to such students. But even through the direct admissions, students still have to meet the basic eligibility.
Commonly asked questions On Best Animation Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Salary
It is estimated that joining Animation colleges in India can be affordable as most colleges have tuition fees of less than INR 1 lakh. Listed below are some of the colleges along with their fees:
| Low-cost Colleges | Total Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| Loyola College | Rs. 62,000 - INR 93,000 |
| Arena Animation | INR 89,000 |
| SGT University Gurgaon | INR 83,000 |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University | INR 80,000 |
| Bangalore University | INR 51,000 |
AAFT Noida offered the highest placement package of INR 10 LPA. Here is the table below shows the top Animation colleges in India with average median package -
Top Colleges | Median Placement Package |
|---|---|
| Amity University, Gurugram Placements | INR 3.6 LPA |
| Sister Nivedita University Placements | INR 5.5 LPA - INR 7.5 LPA |
| AAFT Noida Placements | INR 10 LPA |
| SVSU - Swami Vivekanand Subharti University Placements | INR 3 LPA |
| School of Architecture and Design, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies Placements | INR 5 LPA |
Note: All info. is from official sites and can change.
Yes, animators are in demand. You can refer below for the career options below:
- Advertising
- Online and Print News Media
- Film & Television
- Cartoon production
- Theater
- Video Gaming
- E-learning
Scope of Animation:
- Storyboarding Artists
- Character Animators
- Rigging Artists
- Texture Artists
- Layout Artists
- Compositor
- Roto Artists
- Match Moving Artists
Globally the animation industry is huge and as an animation artist, applicants have great scope both in India and abroad. Animation as a profession is a very high-paying job. The animation industry in India as well as abroad is expected to grow at a pace faster than the Information Technology industry. For more details, you may visit the Shiksha Animation page. (https://www.shiksha.com/animation-chp). I hope this will help you.
Students can pursue VFX courses through online mode of learning. Some of the popular courses are tabulated below:
Name of Online Courses | Course Provider | Duration |
|---|---|---|
i-Nurture | 36 months | |
MAAC | 432 hours | |
Aptech | - | |
TCS ion | 145 hours |
Note: The information is taken from external sites and may vary.
The college offers mored than ten courses at the UG and PG level. The mode of study for various programme is full-time. The courses are offered in various specialisations. Some of the specialisations are mentioned in the points below:
- Accounting & Commerce
- Animation
- Design
- Engineering
- Hospitality & Travel
- IT & Software
- Animation
- Hospitality & Travel
Commonly asked questions On Best Animation Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Salary
India has about 1285 Animation colleges which is distributed widely among its metropolitian cities and given below are some of the best cities to pursue Animation in India:
| City Name | No. of Colleges | Popular Colleges |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi/NCR | 220+ | Arena Animation, Amity University, World UNiversity of Design, etc. |
| Mumbai | 140+ | Arena Animation, Amity University, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University, etc. |
| Kolkata | 100+ | Arena Animation, Sister Nivedita University, Amity University, etc. |
| Bangalore | 90+ | Arena Animation, Arena Creative Campus, Jain University, etc. |
Hope this helps!
Yes, A career in animation is one of the most highly-paying jobs in this digital world, especially for those who have good creative and drawing skills. The highest-paying companies for animation artists are The Walt Disney Company and Microsoft according to our most recent salary estimates.
In addition, companies like Blur Studio and Pixar Animation Studios report highly competitive wages for animation artists. The average salary for an Animator is INR 7 to 20 Lacs per annum in India. Animators make INR 63,55,835 per year on average, or INR 3,055 per hour, in the USA.
For more details, click here: Animation courses
I hope this will help you.
No. Animation colleges in India do not require NEET or JEE scores. These entrance exams are only for medical and engineering colleges respectively. Animation admissions are either based on Class 12 marks, a college-specific entrance test, a design aptitude test, or a portfolio review. Some prestigious institutes like NID (National Institute of Design) conduct their own separate entrance exams like NID DAT, and NIFT conducts the NIFT Entrance Test for design-related programs.
Because of the convenience and flexibility, online VFX courses are becoming popular day by day. In an online programme, lectures are given via video conferencing, while notes, exams, and checking are done via an LMS.
One can enrol in an Online courses while residing in another city because there are no on-site classes. It also gives an opportunity to the students to learn and perform at their own pace and take their career to further growth.
Hope this helps!!!
The duration of courses offered by the college ranges from three months to three years. Candidates can check out Zee Institute of Creative Art fees structure for its courses along with eligibility criteria mentioned below.
Zee Institute of Creative Art Courses, Fees & Eligibility Criteria
| Courses | Total Fees | Eligibility Criteria |
| Diploma | Rs 95,000 - Rs 2,50,000 |
Class 10 with the qualifying marks from the recognised board |
| Certificate courses | Rs 35,000 - Rs 55,000 | |
| B.Sc | Rs 3,40,000 | Class 12 with the qualifying marks in any stream |
Commonly asked questions On Best Animation Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Salary
There are a number of scholarships that are available for animation students. National Scholarship Portal (NSP), run by the central govt, provides scholarships for students from economically weaker sections and SC/ST/OBC category. The state governments also offer merit-cum-means scholarships to students who are doing professional and creative courses. NID and NIFT also offer their own scholarship and fee waiver programmes for eligible candidates.
Many colleges in India also offer VFX courses and certifications online. You can check out the list of the best online VFX courses in India in the table below -
| VFX Course Online | Course Provider | Course Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate in Graphics, Animation, VFX, and Gaming | Boston Institute of Analytics | INR 75,000 |
| PG Diploma in Motion Graphic Design | AND Academy | INR 1 Lakh |
| Online BBA in Animation and VFX Management | Jain Deemed-to-be University | INR 1.65 Lakh |
| Program in Visual Effects (VFX Plus) | Maya Academy of Advanced Creativity | INR 1.92 Lakh |
| Bachelor of Arts in VFX and Animation | Arena Animation | INR 3.07 Lakh |
Note - The information is taken from the official website of the institute.
Read more
Of course, you can. The basic eligibility requirement to pursue a PG degree or Diploma course is to have a bachelor's degree only. Irrespective of the discipline you got your degree from, you are eligible to pursue a PG degree or Diploma course in VFX. Though you'll need to crack entrance exams for some PG degree courses.
Yes Amity University in Mumbai offers direct admission. Students who have earned marks of more than 80% in class XII from CBSE, ISC, or State Board are eligible for direct admission. Student must complete Amity application and send in application money in order to apply for direct admission.
Apex University is a member of Association of Commonwealth (ACU) and Association of Indian Universities (AIU). BTech & MBA are the flagship courses. Top recruiters during the placements include Cisco, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, TCS, Cognizant, Accenture, etc. It offers academic / merit scholarships to students pursuing Diploma / UG / PG programmes. The scholarships are based on performance in Class XII /Diploma/Graduation (or equivalent). Overall, it is a good institute in terms of infrastructure, faculty, range of courses, etc.
Commonly asked questions On Best Animation Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Salary
The flagship course provided by Arena Animation, Geeta Bhawan Square is its certificate courses. The certificate courses include Animation Prime, Graphics Web Design and Developement, Graphic and Visual Design, and others. For some of the above mentioned courses, even tenth pass students are eligible.
The top recruiters at Vishwakarma University Pune include Bosch, Calvin Klein, Berger Paints, JP Morgan, IBM, Athenahealth, Bekaert, Accenture, IBM, Master Card, HSBC Technology, BNY Mellon, Tommy Hilfiger, Ubisoft, Tech Mahindra, TCS, Siemens, and Shoppers Stop.
Yes, Amity School of Media and Drama accept CBSE 12th score. The basic eligibility criteria is 10+2 passed. For UG candidates scoring above 80%, a direct admission will be provided for them, Irrespective of the boards they belong to (CBSE/ISC/State-Boards).Students from any of the aboveboard can easily gain admission to the college.
Silver Oak College of Animation and Multimedia Ahmedabad admission are merit-based. To join the candidates must fulfil the eligibility criteria and currently being enrolled or have completed Class 12 from the recognised board.
Commonly asked questions On Best Animation Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Salary
Quantum University Hostel fee For Male is INR 80 k to INR 1.04 lakh
Fee Structure:
Hostel Security (Refundable, One time payable at the time of admission): INR 5000
Hostel Fee: INR 45,000 per semester
Hostel Fee with Air Conditioning: INR 55,000 per semester
Quantum University Hostel Fee For Female
Fee Structure:
Hostel Security (Refundable, One time payable at the time of admission): INR 5000
Hostel Fee: INR 45,000 per semester
Hostel Fee with Air Conditioning: INR 55,000 per semester
ZICA Bhubaneshwar offers a solitary degree course. The institute offers a BVoc programme in Animation Visual Effects, the programme is for three years. Candidates who want to secure admission into the programme should make sure they have cleared their Class 12 exam. The institute does not provide any other degree programme and only offers Diploma and certificate programmes.
At the MAAC Pitampura the specialisations are Multimedia and Digital Media, AI/UX, Maya, 3DS Max and Game Design. Such courses are aimed towards providing industry ready skill sets. Every programme is aimed at individual learning and creativity. The students are able to have knowledge in software and design principles.
MAAC, Preet Vihar eligibility criteria require students to pass the qualifying exam with the specified aggregate from a recognised board/ institution/ university. MAAC, Preet Vihar UG admission requires students to pass Class 12 or equivalent from a recognised board. The eligibility criteria may vary from course to course. Students can visit the official website of the institute to get all the latest details for eligibility criteria of the course of choice.
Studying at Amity University, Noida is worth it if you prioritize networking, corporate exposure, and world-class campus life & have the budget to afford it. The high fees mean you must be self-driven to secure top placements and maximize your Return on Investment.
It provides flagship courses include BTech, MBA, BBA & Law with prominent areas of study spanning Engineering, Management, Biotechnology & Design.
Commonly asked questions On Best Animation Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Salary
Dev Bhoomi School of Architecture and Design offers both undergraduate and graduate courses in architecture and design. The key programs include
Bachelor of Architecture B.Arch A comprehensive five year course covering architectural design, construction and urban planning.
Bachelor of Design B.Des A four year programme with specializations in interior design, product design and graphic design.
Master of Architecture M.Arch A two year advanced course for postgraduate studies in architecture.
Diploma in Architecture A shorter programme providing foundational knowledge, in architecture and design.
The school focuses on practical learning through studio work, internships and partnerships with the industry to equip students for diverse careers in design and architecture.
Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences provides the flagship Bachelor of Science (BSc) program, which provides a solid Scientific foundation to students. The course is available in various specializations, and is geared towards the Agricultural fields. The SHUATS BSc programme is available in various relevant specializations like Nursing, Agriculture, Biotechnology, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Community Science, among others.