The Center for Cartoon Studies
The Center for Cartoon Studies is a Vermont-based 501(c)(3) graduate school offering MFA, One-Year, and Two-Year Certificate programs plus workshops in cartooning and graphic novel creation, serving aspiring professional cartoonists nationally and internationally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersWhite River Junction, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Center for Cartoon Studies does
The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational institution founded in 2005 by Michelle Ollie and James Sturm in White River Junction, Vermont. It is the only U.S. institution dedicated exclusively to graduate-level comics and graphic novel education, approved by the State of Vermont Agency of Education to confer the Master of Fine Arts degree and operating with SEVP certification to admit international students. Core academic offerings are the two-year MFA (60 credits, with a low-residency second-year option), a parallel Two-Year Certificate (60 credits), and an accelerated nine-month One-Year Certificate (30 credits); annual tuition is $29,750 for 2025-26 and $31,200 for 2026-27. The curriculum integrates writing, design, drawing, and storytelling using industry-standard Adobe Creative Cloud tools alongside physical production, with weekly finished-comics output and a yearlong thesis culminating in a graphic novel draft or applied cartooning project.
The business model is primarily tuition-driven (annual subscription per enrolled student) with auxiliary revenue from summer/winter workshops (one-time fees), custom academic outreach workshops priced from $1,000/day plus travel, low-cost webinars ($5), and fellowship programs. CCS does not accept federal financial aid; merit scholarships ($2,500–$10,000) and the Ed Koren Memorial Scholarship ($5,000) are funded from operating revenue and donations. Distribution is direct on-campus for degree programs, with online workshops, webinars, and academic outreach partnerships extending reach globally; the Applied Cartooning Lab produces free downloadable civic-education comics distributed across 50 states (150,000+ copies since 2019). Customer segments span aspiring professional cartoonists (primary), hobbyists and youth, educational institutions (colleges, high schools, military, medical schools), and community organizations. A 98% student retention rate and reported 98% alumni remaining in comics in some form indicate durable product-market fit within a deliberately narrow niche.
The Center for Cartoon Studies firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Center for Cartoon Studies
- Legal name
- The Center for Cartoon Studies
- Website
- https://cartoonstudies.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Center for Cartoon Studies is a Vermont-based 501(c)(3) graduate school offering MFA, One-Year, and Two-Year Certificate programs plus workshops in cartooning and graphic novel creation, serving aspiring professional cartoonists nationally and internationally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Center for Cartoon Studies industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Art & Design Higher Education
- NAICS
- Fine Arts Schools (611610), Fine Arts Schools (61161), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Visual Arts Instruction (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture) (EDAMAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Illustration) (EDAAAGAA), Personal Enrichment & Creative Arts Programs (EDAAAEAG), Art/Alternative/Underground Comics Publishing (MPAJAGAK), Children’s & All-Ages Comics Publishing (MPAJAGAI)
Keywords
Where The Center for Cartoon Studies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- White River Junction
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
The Center for Cartoon Studies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- MFA and Certificate Program Tuition: Full-time academic programs with tuition-based revenue. 2025-26 tuition is $29,750; 2026-27 tuition is $31,200 per academic year. Additional fees include deposit ($500), lab fee ($350), and tech fee ($370). Programs are full-time with no part-time option available.
- Summer and Winter Workshops: In-person and online workshops for various skill levels. Topics include Graphic Memoir, Horror Comics, Queer Comics, Create Comics, Graphic Novel workshops, and youth programs. Scholarships available including need-based and BIPOC scholarships.
- Custom-Designed Academic Outreach Workshops: 1-3 day workshops designed for external organizations including colleges, high schools, military (West Point Cadets), medical schools, and businesses. Rates begin at $1,000/day plus travel expenses.
- Student Laptop Requirement: Students are required to provide their own laptop capable of running Adobe Creative Cloud software, creating an indirect revenue stream for technology providers.
- Private Student Loans: CCS partners with Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) to offer private educational loans, generating referral relationships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | MFA and Certificate Programs - 2025-26 Academic Year |
| Subscription | Annual | MFA and Certificate Programs - 2026-27 Academic Year |
| Subscription | Annual | Merit Scholarships - First Year Students |
| Subscription | Annual | Ed Koren Memorial Scholarship - Second Year Students |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Academic Outreach Workshops |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
The Center for Cartoon Studies product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Center for Cartoon Studies is a Vermont-based educational institution that delivers graduate-level cartooning education through a two-year MFA degree, Two-Year Certificate, and accelerated One-Year Certificate, with a curriculum spanning writing, design, drawing, storytelling, publication workshop, professional practices, and a yearlong thesis comic. It supplements degree programs with seasonal in-person and online workshops for adults and youth, free self-directed eCourses, fellowship and residency programs, an Applied Cartooning Lab producing civic-impact comics, the Schulz Library collection of 20,000+ graphic novels, and the annual Cartoonist Studio Prize. The institution sells educational services and curated cartooning curriculum directly to students, hobbyists, and partner organizations.
Product overview
The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) is an educational institution offering a unified portfolio of cartooning programs centered on its core MFA degree and certificate programs. The two-year Master of Fine Arts degree, One-Year Certificate, and Two-Year Certificate form the academic core, supplemented by seasonal summer workshops, Saturday Morning Cartoon Club for youth, and the free online One-Week Cartooning Workout for self-directed learners. Additional offerings include fellowship programs (Program Fellowship, Cornish CCS Residency Fellowship, and Children's Book Residency), the Applied Cartooning Lab for civic-impact projects, and the annual Cartoonist Studio Prize recognizing excellence in the field. CCS also publishes free educational comics and operates The Schulz Library as a resource for students and the community. The institution is currently undergoing a major campus renewal with the Telegraph Building renovation, which will expand facilities to include a specialized comics bookstore.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Cartoonist Studio Prize: An annual award recognizing excellence in cartooning, awarding $1,000 to creators of two exceptional comics in long-form and short-form categories.
- Applied Cartooning Lab
- The Schulz Library
- Cornish CCS Residency Fellowship
Products and services
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Degree in Cartooning A two-year, full-time graduate degree program in cartooning with an option to complete the second year in low residency. Curriculum spans writing, design, drawing, and storytelling, culminating in a yearlong thesis project and professional practices guidance. Open to students with a bachelor's degree; tuition $29,750 for 2025-26 and $31,200 for 2026-27.
- Two-Year Certificate Program A two-year certificate that follows the same curriculum as the MFA, culminating in a yearlong thesis project. Second year may be completed on location or by distance in a low-residency online and correspondence program.
- One-Year Certificate Program A nine-month intensive program designed to accelerate a cartoonist's growth. Faculty and visiting artists introduce tools, techniques, and approaches to cartooning including writing, drawing, graphic design, screen-printing, and computer skills.
- Summer and Winter Workshops In-person and online workshops for various skill levels covering topics including Queer Comics, Intermediate Comics, Create Comics, Graphic Novel I & II, Summer Cartoon Collective, Summer Cartoon Club, Coming of Age Comics, Graphic Memoir, Horror Comics, and Comics 101. Need-based and BIPOC scholarships are available.
- Saturday Morning Cartoon Club A fast-paced cartooning workshop for Upper Valley kids held during fall and spring semesters, taught by Wayne Carter and friends.
- One-Week Cartooning Workout (Free eCourse) A free self-directed online eCourse available at any time to help aspiring cartoonists improve their skills through structured exercises and assignments.
- Program Fellowship An award given to emerging cartoonists who have achieved significant critical and/or professional stature, providing access to CCS resources for career advancement. Includes an Applied Cartooning Fellow position through the Applied Cartooning Lab.
- Cornish CCS Residency Fellowship A residency fellowship located in Cornish, New Hampshire, in partnership with Cornish College of the Arts, designed to create a focused and inspiring environment for cartoonists to create exceptional work.
- Children's Book Residency (PJ Library) A week-long intensive residency sponsored by PJ Library, helping visual storytellers create children's books or graphic novels focused on Jewish themes. Participants receive full tuition scholarship, lodging, travel, and food stipends. Led by James Sturm and other CCS faculty.
- Academic Outreach Program (Custom Workshops) Custom-designed 1-3 day workshops for external organizations including colleges, universities, high schools, libraries, military (West Point Cadets), medical schools, and businesses, as well as free 1-hour Zoom sessions for college classes featuring CCS presentations, comics demonstrations, and Q&A.
- The Schulz Library A library located in the historic Post Office building containing over 20,000 graphic novels, zines, reference materials, out-of-print and rare collections, and a near-complete run of The Comics Journal, available to students and the public.
- The Applied Cartooning Lab A program using comics as tools for public understanding and community engagement, developing projects that engage public education, civic dialogue, or social impact.
- The Cartoonist Studio Prize An annual award presented to creators of exceptional comics, awarding $1,000 prizes in long-form and short-form categories; now in its 14th season.
- Free Educational Comics (Applied Cartooning Downloads) Free downloadable and printable comic publications including 'This Is What Democracy Looks Like', 'Let's Talk About It: A Graphic Guide to Mental Health', 'Art & Courage: A Guide to Sustaining a Creative Path', and 'Cartooning In An Anxious Age'.
Quantifiable outcome
- 98% student retention rate
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The Center for Cartoon Studies
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Center for Cartoon Studies technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
The Center for Cartoon Studies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Cornish College of the ArtscoreThe Cornish CCS Residency Fellowship is designed to create a focused and inspiring environment for cartoonists. Located 16 miles from CCS in Cornish, NH, the residency supports cartoonists in creating exceptional work. Fellows have included Nick Drnaso, Cara Bean, and Ali Fitzgerald.
- PJ LibrarycorePJ Library sponsors a week-long intensive Children's Book Residency at CCS for visual storytellers to create children's books or graphic novels with Jewish themes. Participants receive full tuition scholarship, lodging, travel, and food stipends. Led by James Sturm and other CCS faculty.
- Dartmouth CollegeminorMinutes from CCS campus, Dartmouth College offers free exhibitions, symposiums, and events featuring renowned creators. CCS students have access to Dartmouth's Library and letterpress print shop. Dartmouth hosts Drawing Us Together comics exhibition.
- Vermont HumanitiescoreCCS collaborated on Vermont Reads 2022 'The Most Costly Journey' showcasing migrant farmworker stories. Tillie Walden '16 selected for Vermont Reads 2026 with 'Charity & Sylvia'. Joint events hosted at CCS.
- Two Rivers Printmaking StudiominorLocal printmaking cooperative provides student memberships for studio access, workshops, and classes beyond CCS production lab.
- Association of Vermont Independent CollegesminorCCS is a member of AVIC, representing independent colleges in Vermont.
- Vermont Higher Education CouncilminorCCS is a member of VHEC, aligned with New England Commission of Higher Education standards.
- Local Independent BooksellercorePartnership with local independent bookseller to operate a specialized bookstore in the renovated Telegraph Building. Will sell comics and graphic novels, creating new book retail destination for the village for first time in decades. Expected to increase foot traffic and support small business growth.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Center for Cartoon Studies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD): SCAD operates one of the most prominent dedicated sequential art programs in the U.S. at both undergraduate and graduate levels, making it the closest direct competitor for aspiring cartoonists evaluating graduate-level comics education.
- School of Visual Arts (SVA): SVA offers a BFA in Cartooning and an MFA in Illustration as Comic Art, placing it squarely in the same comics-education niche as CCS for prospective students in the New York metro area.
- Columbia College Chicago: Columbia College Chicago's traditional animation and comics-focused tracks in visual arts compete with CCS for students seeking comics-centered curricula at the postsecondary level.
Broad incumbents
- Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): RISD's illustration BFA/MFA programs and significant tuition overhead overlap with CCS's applicant pool at the elite end; Faculty Chair Jason Lutes is a RISD BFA alumnus, illustrating pipeline overlap.
- Ringling College of Art and Design: Ringling's illustration and visual storytelling programs produce graduates who enter similar comics, graphic novel, and entertainment careers as CCS alumni, making it a relevant comparator for tuition-driven fine arts schools.
- California Institute of the Arts (CalArts): CalArts offers a character animation and experimental animation track that produces graduates who often work in comics-adjacent and graphic storytelling fields, competing for the same top-tier applicants.
- Pratt Institute: Pratt's undergraduate and graduate illustration programs include comics-adjacent tracks, drawing students who might otherwise consider CCS, though Pratt's portfolio is much broader.
- Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD): MCAD offers a comics-focused track within a broader fine arts portfolio, and CCS President Michelle Ollie was previously director/faculty at MCAD — making it a closely comparable fine arts school with adjacent comics offerings.
- Parsons School of Design (The New School): Parsons offers illustration and design programs with comics-adjacent electives and competes with CCS for urban, design-oriented prospective students seeking creative careers.
Emerging players
- Cornish College of the Arts: Cornish College of the Arts is a direct strategic partner of CCS through the Cornish CCS Residency Fellowship and a fine-arts-focused institution with overlapping visual arts programming for prospective students.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Center for Cartoon Studies social profiles
Digital presenceThe Center for Cartoon Studies compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
The Center for Cartoon Studies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Center for Cartoon Studies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
The Center for Cartoon Studies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Center for Cartoon Studies M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Center for Cartoon Studies
What does The Center for Cartoon Studies do?
The Center for Cartoon Studies is a Vermont-based educational institution that delivers graduate-level cartooning education through a two-year MFA degree, Two-Year Certificate, and accelerated One-Year Certificate, with a curriculum spanning writing, design, drawing, storytelling, publication workshop, professional practices, and a yearlong thesis comic. It supplements degree programs with seasonal in-person and online workshops for adults and youth, free self-directed eCourses, fellowship and residency programs, an Applied Cartooning Lab producing civic-impact comics, the Schulz Library collection of 20,000+ graphic novels, and the annual Cartoonist Studio Prize. The institution sells educational services and curated cartooning curriculum directly to students, hobbyists, and partner organizations.
Is The Center for Cartoon Studies a public or private company?
The Center for Cartoon Studies is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Center for Cartoon Studies founded?
The Center for Cartoon Studies was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Center for Cartoon Studies based?
The Center for Cartoon Studies is headquartered in White River Junction, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Center for Cartoon Studies make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. MFA and Certificate Program Tuition is the primary driver. The others are summer and Winter Workshops, custom-Designed Academic Outreach Workshops, student Laptop Requirement and private Student Loans.
Who are The Center for Cartoon Studies's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), School of Visual Arts (SVA) and Columbia College Chicago. Broad incumbents are Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Ringling College of Art and Design, California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), Pratt Institute, Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) and Parsons School of Design (The New School). Cornish College of the Arts is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Center for Cartoon Studies have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Center for Cartoon Studies.
What industry is The Center for Cartoon Studies in?
The Center for Cartoon Studies's product category is Art & Design Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAAAA, Visual Arts Instruction (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture), with a secondary code of EDAAAGAA, Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Illustration). Its NAICS code is 611610 and its SIC code is 8200.