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2026 Best Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools in the Far Western Region

8 Colleges in the United States
1,521 Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Degrees Awarded
$45,165 Avg Early-Career Salary

Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 92 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects in the Far Western Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects education in the Far Western Region.

Top Schools in Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects

1

University Of Southern California tops our 2026 ranking of the best 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. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 35 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree from University Of Southern California earn around $75,677 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625. See the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program report for University Of Southern California

2

Chapman University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree from Chapman University earn around $50,947 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,657 to complete this degree. See the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program report for Chapman University

3

Loyola Marymount University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects, ranking #3. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 22 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $52,935. Typical student debt for the program is $22,248. Read more about the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program at Loyola Marymount University

4

Art Center College Of Design came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 95 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at Art Center College Of Design in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Art Center College Of Design generally make around $67,010. Typical student debt for the program is $35,593. See the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program report for Art Center College Of Design

5

Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 55 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Lake Washington Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program make about $60,000 in their early career. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans. See the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program report for Lake Washington Institute Of Technology

6

Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #6 for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 28 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program make about $80,047 in their early career. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. More information about a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects from Santa Rosa Junior College

7
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. There were roughly 28 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Diablo Valley College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program make about $27,813 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,205. Get the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects details for Diablo Valley College

8

California College Of The Arts came in at #8 for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. California College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. California College Of The Arts graduates 61% of students within six years. California College Of The Arts awarded about 68 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree from California College Of The Arts earn around $26,481 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program report for California College Of The Arts

9

California Institute Of The Arts came in at #9 for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Located in the suburb of Valencia, California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 72 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at California Institute Of The Arts in the most recent year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of California Institute Of The Arts earn a median of $22,475 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,031. See the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program report for California Institute Of The Arts

10

Laguna College Of Art And Design placed #10 among the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Laguna College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Laguna Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 46 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Laguna College Of Art And Design in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program make about $17,941 in their early career. Laguna College Of Art And Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program report for Laguna College Of Art And Design

11

Woodbury University came in at #11 for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Woodbury University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Burbank. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Woodbury University in the most recent data year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Woodbury University earn a median of $45,051 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $30,996 to complete this degree. See the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program report for Woodbury University

12

Mt San Antonio College placed #12 among the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. About 61 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,384. More information about a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects from Mt San Antonio College

13
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. About 25 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at Orange Coast College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Typical student debt for the program is $8,978. More information about a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects from Orange Coast College

14

Southern California Institute Of Architecture landed the #14 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Southern California Institute Of Architecture in the most recent data year. See the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program report for Southern California Institute Of Architecture

15
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College earned the #15 position for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Santa Monica College awarded about 107 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program at Santa Monica College

16

University Of Hawaii West Oahu earned the #16 position for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Set in the suburb of Kapolei, University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 59 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at University Of Hawaii West Oahu in the most recent data year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of University Of Hawaii West Oahu earn a median of $41,082 early in their careers. University Of Hawaii West Oahu graduates carry a median of $19,957 in student loans. See the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program report for University Of Hawaii West Oahu

17

University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #17 position for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 55 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at University Of Hawaii At Manoa in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree from University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn around $16,556 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects from University Of Hawaii At Manoa

18
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons earned the #18 position for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. There were roughly 32 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Canyons in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Typical student debt for the program is $9,776. Read more about the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program at College Of The Canyons

19

Pasadena City College earned the #19 position for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. About 20 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at Pasadena City College in the most recent year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,191. Read more about the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program at Pasadena City College

20
Canada College crest
Canada College
Redwood City, CA

Canada College landed the #20 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. There were roughly 17 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Canada College in the most recent data year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program at Canada College

21
Santa Barbara City College crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College placed #21 among the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Located in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public university. There were roughly 17 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent data year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Santa Barbara City College earn a median of $68,184 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,090. Get the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects details for Santa Barbara City College

22

San Diego Mesa College earned the #22 position for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at San Diego Mesa College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program make about $29,852 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete this degree. See the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program report for San Diego Mesa College

23
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College came in at #23 for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. Sacramento City College awarded about 12 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects from Sacramento City College

24

Cogswell Polytechnical College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 29%. Cogswell Polytechnical College awarded about 28 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree from Cogswell Polytechnical College earn around $33,727 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. More information about a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects from Cogswell Polytechnical College

25
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College came in at #25 for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Cerritos College awarded about 11 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree from Cerritos College earn around $29,495 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete this degree. Get the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects details for Cerritos College

Rest of the Top 37 Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects ranking:

26
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
27
Sierra College crest
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA
28
Academy Of Art University crest
Academy Of Art University
San Francisco, CA
29
30
Bakersfield College crest
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA
31
Victor Valley College crest
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA
32
Hartnell College crest
Hartnell College
Salinas, CA
33
34
35
36
37

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 92 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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