2027 Best Value Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment 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 Great Lakes 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 Joliet Junior College the best value for a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, 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. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects will find it at Moraine Valley Community College, which ranked #2. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, 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. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $15,525. 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.
College Of Dupage came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $12,492. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $43,025. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kellogg Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Battle Creek. In-state tuition and fees average $4,118, while out-of-state students pay about $8,282. 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. That is a strong return on a $20,432 median debt.
Ferris State University placed #7 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $19,339. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $30,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College landed the #8 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $11,533 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 City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College generally make around $33,960. That is a strong return on a $11,533 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #9 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $18,296 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $38,325. That is a strong return on a $18,296 median debt.
Harper College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $10,963. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ball State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $47,863 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,518 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #12 for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $26,657. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $46,561 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,657 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Shawnee State University came in at #13 for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Portsmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,448, while out-of-state students pay about $16,032. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $25,233 in student loans. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Shawnee State University earn a median of $42,878 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,233 median debt.
Huntington University came in at #14 for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. 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. 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 $16,522. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University placed #15 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $24,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Chicago came in at #16 for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,088. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $26,309. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Cleveland Institute Of Art came in at #17 for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland Institute Of Art is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,700 in tuition and fees. 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 Cleveland Institute Of Art generally make around $19,409. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Columbus College Of Art And Design ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,825. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Columbus College Of Art And Design earn a median of $20,110 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University came in at #19 for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $25,864 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $27,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
College For Creative Studies placed #20 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. College For Creative Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $53,350. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from College For Creative Studies generally make around $20,720. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. College For Creative Studies admits about 92% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
