2027 Best Value Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools in the Far Western Region
[Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects](/majors/communications-tech-support/graphic-communications/animation-interactive-technology-video-graphics-and-special-effects/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 53 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 Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects in the Far Western Region. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Santa Ana College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $11,196. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects will find it at Pasadena City College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
San Joaquin Delta College landed the #6 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects value this year. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $65,168. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College placed #7 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Victor Valley College placed #8 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $7,995. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Antelope Valley College earned the #9 position for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,548. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $10,729 in student loans. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $50,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College earned the #10 position for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #11 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Palomar College earned the #12 position for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
San Diego Mesa College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $6,952. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $23,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College placed #15 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #16 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects value this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fullerton College landed the #17 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects value this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,151, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
De Anza College earned the #18 position for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $7,271. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $19,695. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $60,000. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.
Sacramento City College came in at #20 for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College landed the #21 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects value this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City College Of San Francisco ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,696 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $10,332. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District landed the #23 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects value this year. Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Jacinto. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,448, compared with $12,728 for out-of-state students. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $8,770 in student loans. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Mt San Jacinto Community College District earn a median of $37,488 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,770 median debt.
Diablo Valley College earned the #24 position for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $9,205. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College placed #25 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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:
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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 · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 53 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.
