2027 Best Value Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools in the Southwest 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. 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 17 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 Southwest 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
Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Vista 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 San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $9,189. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $29,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Houston Community College one of the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $16,155. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lee College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $10,941. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pontotoc Technology Center came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Located in the rural area of Ada, Pontotoc Technology Center is a small public university. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Pontotoc Technology Center generally make around $44,846.
Tulsa Technology Center earned the #6 position for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. Students borrow a median of $11,384 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 Tulsa Technology Center generally make around $32,406. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana landed the #7 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects value this year. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $10,284. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from New Mexico State University Dona Ana generally make around $39,399. Set against $10,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects value this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $24,115. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center placed #9 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Set in the rural area of Choctaw, Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center is a small public institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,311 ten years after entry.
Kiamichi Technology Center Mcalester landed the #10 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects value this year. Located in the town of McAlester, Kiamichi Technology Center Mcalester is a mid-sized public university. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $7,992 in student loans. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $23,377. That is a strong return on a $7,992 median debt.
Great Plains Technology Center landed the #11 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects value this year. Located in the city of Lawton, Great Plains Technology Center is a small public university. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $11,759 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Great Plains Technology Center generally make around $48,921. That is a strong return on a $11,759 median debt.
Arizona State University landed the #12 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $18,964. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $29,305. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Francis Tuttle Technology Center came in at #13 for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Francis Tuttle Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $14,859. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Francis Tuttle Technology Center earn a median of $26,570 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,859 median debt.
Sam Houston State University came in at #14 for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $28,342 in student loans. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $46,365 early in their careers. Set against $28,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Canadian Valley Technology Center ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Located in the rural area of El Reno, Canadian Valley Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $46,777.
Saint Edwards University placed #16 among the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,384. Students borrow a median of $25,059 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Saint Edwards University earn a median of $44,054 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,059 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Southern Methodist University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 63%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
