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.
To get admission in Artemisia College of Art & Design, students have to check the eligibility. Eligible students can then apply online. The college offers admissions through entrance test/ portfolio/ merit basis depending on the programme. Students have to go appear for PI for final selection. Selected students can pay the admission fees to complete the process.
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.
Yes, Sister Nivedita University is a good university as it has more than 39 years of experience and is recognised by the UGC. The university is recognised by the UGC and is approved by the AICTE, PCI, BCI, and WBNC. In addition to this, Sister Nivedita University has a dedicated placement cell that has decent connections with top-notch companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Ashok Leyland, Bosch, HP, etc.
Animation Applications open. Apply Now
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.
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!!!
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.
All the CUCET-based scholarships awarded to CU students are valid for the first year only. To renew them for the further years, students should apply for renewal every year. The eligibility criteria for scholarship renewal is mentioned below:
- Performance: 7.5 CGPA at the end of each year
- College students must not indulge in any indiscipline activity
- Students should not have E, F or I in any of the subject in any year
For other merit-based scholarships offered by CU on the basis of JEE Main/ CAT/ MAT/ ATMA/ Class 12 & graduation scores, renewal of scholarship will only be possible if students maintain a minimum CGPA of 7.5 in the semester exams. However, for PharmaD course, it is mandatory that the students don't have any semester/year break in between.
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.
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.
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
Yes, it is worth pursuing the BTech course from G H Raisoni University, Amravati. The USPs of joining the BTech course at G H Raisoni University, Amravati are mentioned below:
- Academic Excellence & Accreditation
- Industry Collaboration & Internship Opportunities
- Exceptional Placement Record
- Modern Infrastructure & Smart Campus
- Research & Innovation Hub and others
Alliance University is considered as a Tier 2 university. It is a 1st private university in South India in Karnataka State by Act No. 34 and is recognised by the UGC. The university offers UG, PG, Diploma and PhD courses through 10+ constitutent colleges across various streams like Engineering, Management, Commerce, Law, Design, and others.
Animation Applications open. Apply Now
Commonly asked questions On Best Animation Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Salary
Visit cgcuet.cgcuniversity.in/ to start your application. After registration, applicants will get a username and password via SMS and email. Book the preferred CGCUET test slot (date and time) and pay the registration fee of INR 1000, which includes the prospectus and test fee.
Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute in Chennai is classified as a Tier 1 institution by Aston University. Thai Moogambigai Dental College and Hospital and Dr. M.G.R. Engineering College are combined to form the institute. It has a "A" grade from the NAAC for accreditation, and TUV SUD South Asia Private Limited has certified it with ISO 21001:2018.
The institute was placed fourth in Chennai and fourth in Tamil Nadu in 2023, out of 312 institutions in India.
The institute's pleasant environment, helpful faculty, and excellent facilities. Some claim that the courses are pertinent and help students get ready for the workforce.
It is possible that LPU Admission Office may not publicly post the cutoff data. Applicants have to login to their dashboard to check admission status. For MBA however, based on recent cutoff trends, 70 percentile is said to be an estimated cutoff. This is however, taken from sources on the internet and indicative. Students can connect with the admission desk to know more.
Yes, iLEAD Kolkata campus is safe for girls and boys. The college campus is located in center of Kolkata. It has a good connection with roads and public transports. CCTV cameras are installed in the campus to keep a check on students safety.
Pearl Academy Bangalore offers PG and undergraduate programmes to students. These programmes are given across the Design, Management, and various other streams. At the PG (postgraduate) level, the college offers MDes, a 2-year MBA, and other programmes to students. Pearl Academy courses also include certificate & Diploma programmes. At the UG (undergraduate) level, the college offers BDes & other programmes to students.
Animation Applications open. Apply Now
Commonly asked questions On Best Animation Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Salary
Some of the eminent recruiters who were part of the recent School of Mass Communication, VELS Institute of Science Technology placements are TCS, Wipro, Amazon, Zoho, etc.
Yes, you can get admission in Sarala Birla University with 60% in class 12th because the minimum percentage required is 40% in 12th to get an admission in the the sarla Birla University.
But you have to write CUET or SBU entrance test and you have to get a good score in the either one of the exam. It is calculated strictly based on merit after you qualify in the exam.
Students have shared their views on some key facilities of Jain University through Shiksha's reviews. Check what the students have to say about Jain University:
- Infrastructure: The university campus feature a compact design with the university conducting sports and events. Further the university features high quality labs & systems (Megha Shree S - BCA - Batch of 2027).
- Placements: The university has good placements with the BTech batch featuring a 90% placement rate with the highest and the lowest package of INR 58 LPA and INR 3.5 LPA, respectively. (Iniyan Kalaiselvan -
B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering - Batch of 2026)
Animation Applications open. Apply Now
Commonly asked questions On Best Animation Colleges in India: Fees, Admission 2026, Courses, Salary
At INSD Kolkata, students have the option to receive scholarships under four categories which are academic, sports, art, and need-based categories. Each of these categories has its own eligibility criteria that students must meet with the right documents to receive scholarships at INSD Kolkata.
Bangalore School of Design has good placements for its students. Institute provide 100% internship opportunities for students. This institute also provide various competitions for enhancing skills and development. The average package of this institute is in range of INR 3 LPA to INR 12 lpa. Some Companies offered jobs are Hatil, Future groups, Signature design solutions, Design cafe, Disignism, X cube Interiors, Livespace, Jaipur Rugs, D decor.
Yes, ITM IDM offers merit-based scholarships through a structured assessment process i.e., the ITM IDM Scholarship Entrance Test/ iSET Scholarship Test that evaluates creativity, aptitude, and academic performance.
United World Institute of Design, GD Goenka University provides good placements to its students. Top recruiters such as Deloitte, Wipro and Accenture visited the campus and made PPOs during the placement drive 2025.
Ecole Intuit Lab Kolkata offers BDes and PG Diploma at a cost of INR 7 Lakh - INR 12 Lakh. The course fees varies with the level and duration of the course. The Ecole Intuit Lab Kolkata consists of one time fees and recurring expenses that the candidates have the provision to pay semester-wise or annually. However, it may vary as per the Institutional norms and regulations.