2026 Best Value Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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 Moraine Valley Community College, our #1 best value for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Land College earned it the #2 place for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $7,769. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark Community College earned it the #3 place for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. Set against $9,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $11,533 in student loans. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $33,960 early in their careers. Set against $11,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kalamazoo Valley Community College earned it the #5 place for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $44,198 early in their careers. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage came in at #6 for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kellogg Community College came in at #7 for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Kellogg Community College generally make around $32,616. Set against $20,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. 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. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Harper College came in at #9 for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 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 Harper College generally make around $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee Area Technical College earned the #10 position for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,296 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $38,325. That is a strong return on a $18,296 median debt.
Ferris State University placed #11 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $19,339 in student loans. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $30,059 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Madison Area Technical College came in at #12 for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,977 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Students borrow a median of $16,812 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $44,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Huntington University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Set in the town of Huntington, Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,870. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Huntington University generally make around $16,522. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Huntington University admits about 76% of applicants.
Ball State University placed #14 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $47,863. That is a strong return on a $24,518 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Bradley University placed #15 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $24,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.
Columbia College Chicago ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $34,088 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $25,000. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $26,309 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Depaul University placed #17 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $25,864. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $27,256. That is a strong return on a $25,864 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus College Of Art And Design landed the #18 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects value this year. Columbus College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $40,825 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $27,000. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $20,110. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Columbus College Of Art And Design admits about 68% of applicants.
College For Creative Studies ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Located in the city of Detroit, College For Creative Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,350. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $20,720. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Lawrence Technological University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Located in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,760. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $27,799. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Lawrence Technological University earn a median of $74,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,799 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
