by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 250 U.S. colleges awarded 6,864 degrees and certificates in Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 53% of graduates. College Factual ranks 136 schools in its 2027 Best Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $28,094 one year after completing, rising to $44,537 after four years.
A major in Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects explores Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, And Special Effects. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Use Computer Applications And Related Visual And Sound Imaging Techniques To Manipulate Images And Information Originating As Film, Video, Still Photographs, Digital Copy, Soundtracks, And Physical Objects In Order To Communicate Messages Simulating Real-World Content. Includes Instruction In Specialized Camerawork And Equipment Operation And Maintenance, Image Capture, Computer Programming, Dubbing, Cad Applications, And Applications To Specific Commercial, Industrial, And Entertainment Needs.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects is a popular field of study, with 6,864 degrees awarded annually. 250 colleges award animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees, an average of 27 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 862.
By level, the 6,864 awards include 530 certificates, 1,259 associate degrees, 3,639 bachelor’s degrees and 1,383 master’s degrees.
Women earned 52% of animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees and certificates in the latest year (3,575 of 6,864). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,660) and Hispanic or Latino (1,535), and international students earned 838.
College Factual ranks 136 schools in its 2027 Best Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools ranking, including 47 for associate degrees, 69 for bachelor’s degrees and 15 for master’s degrees. It also ranks animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools within 23 states. In all, 250 colleges offer animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects credential is the bachelor’s degree: 3,639 of the 6,864 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects call most for Active Listening, Critical Thinking and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of Computers and Electronics, English Language and Design, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Written Comprehension and Visualization.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 530 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,259 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,639 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,383 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects, at 52.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 52.8% |
| Some college courses | 39.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.7% |
| Master’s degree | 0.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects, with an average median salary of $57,836; the strongest outlook belongs to Special Effects Artists and Animators, at 6.1% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Texture Artist, Special Effects Technician, Visual Designer and Computer Graphic Artist.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects, at 40,928.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | 40,928 | 6.1% |
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates earn a median $28,094 one year after completing their program, $44,537 after four years and $47,560 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,094 |
| 4 years | $44,537 |
| 5 years | $47,560 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects, with a median salary of $57,836.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $57,836 |
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects has 8 similar majors in the Communications Technology/Support field, which together award 2,294 degrees a year; the largest are Prepress/Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design (1,335), Graphic Communications, General (458) and Graphic and Printing Equipment Operator, General Production (252). Browse all Communications Technology/Support majors or the full list of college majors.
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