2027 Best Value Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools in Texas

[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.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools in Texas
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
El Centro College tops our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools in Texas. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Northwest Vista College one of the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Set in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $9,189 in student loans. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $29,349. Set against $9,189 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $19,223. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $16,155. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Lee College one of the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sam Houston State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $28,342. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $46,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Saint Edwards University came in at #6 for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $51,384. Students borrow a median of $25,059 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $44,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Edwards University admits about 81% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University earned the #7 position for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. 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. That is a strong return on a $20,712 median debt. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
More Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Rankings
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. 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.