2027 Best Value Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Master’s Degree Schools
[Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects](/majors/communications-tech-support/graphic-communications/animation-interactive-technology-video-graphics-and-special-effects/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 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 United States
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
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $11,091. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $51,372. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $18,964 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $29,305. Set against $18,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Atlantic College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Located in the city of Guaynabo, Atlantic College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,280. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $5,440. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Atlantic College earn a median of $15,397 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a great value for students pursuing a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,468 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,701 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 Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham generally make around $53,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Clark University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,467. Students borrow a median of $26,153 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Clark University earn a median of $43,257 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Northeastern University placed #6 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $25,611 in student loans. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $74,800 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,611 median debt. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
University Of Southern California ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $75,677. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 10%.
Depaul University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $25,864. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $35,334 early in their careers. Set against $25,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
New York University came in at #9 for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $21,897. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $64,516. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Southern Methodist University came in at #10 for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $20,712. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $70,632. Set against $20,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Academy Of Art University placed #11 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Set in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,736. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $36,717. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $27,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New York Film Academy landed the #12 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects value this year. Located in the city of Burbank, New York Film Academy is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,122 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,400 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $15,090. That is a strong return on a $18,400 median debt.
Southern California Institute Of Architecture placed #13 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Southern California Institute Of Architecture is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $56,162 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $71,909. Southern California Institute Of Architecture admits about 77% of applicants.
Savannah College Of Art And Design earned the #14 position for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,630. Students borrow a median of $26,748 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Savannah College Of Art And Design earn a median of $41,411 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Pratt Institute Main came in at #15 for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $61,845. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $26,724. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Pratt Institute Main generally make around $20,048. That is a strong return on a $26,724 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Other Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Degree Levels
Explore the best-value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools at other degree levels:
View All Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
