2026 Best Value Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools in the The Plains States 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
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #1 spot for value among animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $11,886. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,742 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes South Central College one of the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Set in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,146. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $13,139. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of South Central College earn a median of $46,447 early in their careers. Set against $13,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects will find it at Southeastern Community College West Burlington, which ranked #3. Set in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,420, while out-of-state students pay about $6,570. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $16,126 in student loans. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Southeastern Community College West Burlington earn a median of $45,760 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,126 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Johnson County Community College one of the best values for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Johnson County Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Overland Park. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,688. Students borrow a median of $13,532 to complete the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program here. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Johnson County Community College earn a median of $46,473 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,532 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects will find it at Southeast Technical Institute, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,650 in tuition and fees. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $18,442 in student loans. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $48,654. Set against $18,442 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State University Moorhead earned the #6 position for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates carry a median of $24,447 in student loans. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $50,892 early in their careers. Set against $24,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Minneapolis College Of Art And Design ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,484 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 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 Minneapolis College Of Art And Design generally make around $24,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minneapolis College Of Art And Design admits about 48% of applicants.
Webster University earned the #8 position for value in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Webster University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $31,750. Typical student debt for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates is $25,939. Early-career animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates make about $17,593. Set against $25,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas City Art Institute landed the #9 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects value this year. Kansas City Art Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $44,550. 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 $17,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas City Art Institute admits about 55% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
