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2026 Best Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools in California

6 Colleges in the United States
1,228 Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Degrees Awarded
$45,284 Avg Early-Career Salary

Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. 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 76 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 California

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees they offer, see the list below.

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

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Southern California the best school in the country for a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. About 35 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Read more about the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program at University Of Southern California

2

Chapman University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects, ranking #2. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Orange. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Chapman University awarded about 30 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 $50,947 in their early career. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $21,657 in student loans. Get the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects details for Chapman University

3

Students looking for a strong animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program will find one at Loyola Marymount University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree from Loyola Marymount University earn around $52,935 in the first couple years of their career. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. Get the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects details for Loyola Marymount University

4

A rank of #4 makes Art Center College Of Design one of the top schools for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Set in the city of Pasadena, Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. There were roughly 95 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Art Center College Of Design in the most recent data year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Art Center College Of Design earn a median of $67,010 early in their careers. Art Center College Of Design graduates carry a median of $35,593 in student loans. Get the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects details for Art Center College Of Design

5

A rank of #5 makes Santa Rosa Junior College one of the top schools for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Rosa. About 28 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Graduates of the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program make about $80,047 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692. Get the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects details for Santa Rosa Junior College

6
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College landed the #6 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. About 28 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at Diablo Valley College in the most recent year. Students who receive their animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree from Diablo Valley College earn around $27,813 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete this degree. Get the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects details for Diablo Valley College

7

California College Of The Arts earned the #7 position 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. About 61% of students finish 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. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of California College Of The Arts earn a median of $26,481 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program at California College Of The Arts

8

California Institute Of The Arts came in at #8 for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valencia. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 72 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at California Institute Of The Arts in the most recent year. Graduates of the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program make about $22,475 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,031. More information about a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects from California Institute Of The Arts

9

Laguna College Of Art And Design landed the #9 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Laguna Beach. Laguna College Of Art And Design graduates 52% of students within six years. Laguna College Of Art And Design awarded about 46 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 Laguna College Of Art And Design earn around $17,941 in the first couple years of their career. Laguna College Of Art And Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects details for Laguna College Of Art And Design

10

Woodbury University earned the #10 position for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Located in the city of Burbank, Woodbury University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 12 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at Woodbury University in the most recent year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Woodbury University earn a median of $45,051 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $30,996. More information about a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects from Woodbury University

11

Mt San Antonio College landed the #11 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Mt San Antonio College awarded about 61 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 Mt San Antonio College earn around $44,391 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete this degree. Get the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects details for Mt San Antonio College

12
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College landed the #12 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. There were roughly 25 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Orange Coast College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree from Orange Coast College earn around $46,306 in the first couple years of their career. Orange Coast College graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. More information about a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects from Orange Coast College

13

Southern California Institute Of Architecture earned the #13 position for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Southern California Institute Of Architecture is a small private not-for-profit institution. Southern California Institute Of Architecture graduates 71% of students 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. Get the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects details for Southern California Institute Of Architecture

14
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College earned the #14 position for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 107 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at Santa Monica College in the most recent year. See the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program report for Santa Monica College

15
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons placed #15 among the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. About 32 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at College Of The Canyons in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. College Of The Canyons graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Get the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects details for College Of The Canyons

16

Pasadena City College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 20 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Pasadena City College in the most recent data year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Pasadena City College graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. More information about a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects from Pasadena City College

17
Canada College crest
Canada College
Redwood City, CA

Canada College came in at #17 for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Redwood City. Canada College awarded about 17 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 $106,691 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. See the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program report for Canada College

18
Santa Barbara City College crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College earned the #18 position for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. 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. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. Santa Barbara City College graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. Get the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects details for Santa Barbara City College

19

San Diego Mesa College placed #19 among the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. San Diego Mesa 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 San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Typical student debt for the program is $6,999. See the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program report for San Diego Mesa College

20
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College earned the #20 position for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. There were roughly 12 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Sacramento City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program make about $46,522 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete this degree. Get the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects details for Sacramento City College

21

Cogswell Polytechnical College landed the #21 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Located in the city of San Jose, Cogswell Polytechnical College is a small private for-profit university. Cogswell Polytechnical College graduates 29% of students within six years. Cogswell Polytechnical College awarded about 28 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 Cogswell Polytechnical College generally make around $33,727. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. See the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program report for Cogswell Polytechnical College

22
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College earned the #22 position for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norwalk. There were roughly 11 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Cerritos College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program make about $29,495 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects from Cerritos College

23
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Chaffey College came in at #23 for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. Chaffey College awarded about 35 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees in the most recent data year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete this degree. See the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program report for Chaffey College

24
Sierra College crest
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA

Sierra College placed #24 among the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Rocklin. Sierra College awarded about 23 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees in the most recent data year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. Sierra College graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Get the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects details for Sierra College

25
Academy Of Art University crest
Academy Of Art University
San Francisco, CA

Academy Of Art University placed #25 among the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. About 34% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 167 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Academy Of Art University in the most recent data year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Academy Of Art University earn a median of $27,481 early in their careers. Academy Of Art University graduates carry a median of $36,717 in student loans. More information about a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects from Academy Of Art University

Rest of the Top 31 Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects education:

26
27
Bakersfield College crest
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA
28
Victor Valley College crest
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA
29
Hartnell College crest
Hartnell College
Salinas, CA
30
31

View All Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Rankings >

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 · 76 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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