2027 Best Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools to find the best for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students.
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Best Schools for Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects
Leading the list is Ball State University, our #1 school for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. This very large public university is located in the city of Muncie. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 46 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Ball State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree from Ball State University earn around $47,863 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete this degree.
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Columbia College Chicago came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia College Chicago awarded about 76 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 $26,309 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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College Of Dupage is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects, landing the #3 spot this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. About 30 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete this degree.
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University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee awarded about 15 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees in the most recent data year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $46,561 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,657.
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Ferris State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Ferris State University awarded about 60 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 $30,059 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,339 to complete this degree.
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Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #6 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. Milwaukee Area Technical College awarded about 17 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 Milwaukee Area Technical College earn around $38,325 in the first couple years of their career. Milwaukee Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $18,296 in student loans.
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Depaul University placed #7 among the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 132 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Graduates of the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program make about $27,256 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,864.
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Bradley University came in at #8 for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Peoria. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 22 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at Bradley University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $24,941. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Joliet Junior College earned the #9 position for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. About 33 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Graduates of the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program make about $40,118 in their early career. Joliet Junior College graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans.
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College For Creative Studies placed #10 among the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. College For Creative Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. College For Creative Studies graduates 71% of students within six years. College For Creative Studies awarded about 72 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 College For Creative Studies earn around $20,720 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Cleveland Institute Of Art came in at #11 for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Cleveland Institute Of Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Cleveland Institute Of Art awarded about 20 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 Cleveland Institute Of Art earn around $19,409 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Columbus College Of Art And Design landed the #12 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 55 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at Columbus College Of Art And Design in the most recent year. Graduates of the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program make about $20,110 in their early career. Columbus College Of Art And Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Moraine Valley Community College placed #13 among the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. About 13 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at Moraine Valley Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program make about $43,844 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete this degree.
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Huntington University earned the #14 position for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Located in the town of Huntington, Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 16 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at Huntington University in the most recent year. Graduates of the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program make about $16,522 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 38 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College in the most recent year. Graduates of the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program make about $33,960 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,533 to complete this degree.
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Shawnee State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. Located in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 10 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Shawnee State University in the most recent data year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Shawnee State University earn a median of $42,878 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,233.
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Kalamazoo Valley Community College earned the #17 position for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. About 15 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in the most recent year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $44,198 early in their careers. Kalamazoo Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
- 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.
