Yes and no. For example, SCAD is in Atlanta, which doesn't have a lot of 3D stuff, outside of a game company (that I'm aware of), but it has a pretty good program. Mostly, though, the industry centers are where the film and commercial industries are, because that's where their work comes from (with an increasing number of exceptions). In general, the schools popped up where the industry is. With the explosive growth of the animation and VFX industry, a lot of podunk schools started programs to cash in -- at one point, it wasn't unusual for a 12-month program to cost upwards of $30,000 USD (of course, that was also back when you had to spend that much for the SGI hardware, and even more again for the software licenses). But the industry was so nascent at that point, that anyone with a smidgen of training, some math, and a decent eye was making $100,000+ in Hollywood.

At the same time, a lot of good schools added to otherwise good programs. For example, Vancouver Film School already had a very highly regarded traditional animation program. At the time they started their 3D Animation track, the only significant 3D work being done in Vancouver was ReBoot (IIRC).