2027 Best Value Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Associate’s Degree Schools
[Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects](/majors/communications-tech-support/graphic-communications/animation-interactive-technology-video-graphics-and-special-effects/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 59 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students.
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2027 Best Value Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools
Leading the list is Middlesex County College, our #1 best value for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects in the United States. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $8,525. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $20,483. That is a strong return on a $8,525 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Joliet Junior College earned it the #2 place for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes El Centro College one of the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $41,295. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Monica College earned it the #4 place for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #5 place for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Pasadena City College earned the #6 position for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
San Joaquin Delta College earned the #7 position for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Hartnell College landed the #8 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects value this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #9 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $23,319. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
Victor Valley College placed #10 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Antelope Valley College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,124, compared with $9,548 for out-of-state students. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $10,729 in student loans. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Antelope Valley College earn a median of $50,744 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,729 median debt.
Northwest Vista College placed #12 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Set in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $9,189. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Northwest Vista College earn a median of $29,349 early in their careers. Set against $9,189 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College placed #13 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $11,967. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $12,448 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #14 position for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College placed #15 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $44,198 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College landed the #16 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects value this year. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $8,203. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College earned the #17 position for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. In-state tuition and fees average $1,184, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
Springfield Technical Community College came in at #18 for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,904, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $9,707. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Springfield Technical Community College earn a median of $42,457 early in their careers. Set against $9,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College placed #19 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
De Anza College placed #20 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Allan Hancock College came in at #21 for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
West Kentucky Community And Technical College placed #22 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Located in the city of Paducah, West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $10,778. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $31,903. That is a strong return on a $10,778 median debt.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology landed the #23 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects value this year. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $60,000. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.
Cuny Hostos Community College earned the #24 position for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,254, with out-of-state students paying around $8,134. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $9,007. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $10,309. That is a strong return on a $9,007 median debt.
College Of Dupage landed the #25 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects value this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year:
Other Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects rankings across degree levels:
View All Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
