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2026 Best Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools in the Great Lakes Region

8 Colleges in the United States
663 Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Degrees Awarded
$35,051 Avg Early-Career Salary

Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects programs.

College Factual analyzed 46 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects in the Great Lakes Region

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

Columbia College Chicago tops our 2026 ranking 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. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 110 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Columbia College Chicago 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. See the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program report for Columbia College Chicago

2

Students looking for a strong animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program will find one at Lawrence Technological University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 11 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at Lawrence Technological University in the most recent year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Lawrence Technological University earn a median of $74,924 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,799 to complete this degree. Get the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects details for Lawrence Technological University

3

Ball State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Muncie. Ball State University graduates 62% of students within six years. Ball State University awarded about 27 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 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. More information about a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects from Ball State University

4
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

A rank of #4 makes College Of Dupage one of the top schools for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. 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. Students who receive their animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree from College Of Dupage earn around $43,025 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete this degree. Get the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects details for College Of Dupage

5

Madison Area Technical College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects, ranking #5. Located in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public university. About 20 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at Madison Area Technical College in the most recent year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $44,279 early in their careers. Madison Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $16,812 in student loans. Read more about the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program at Madison Area Technical College

6

Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #6 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Milwaukee Area Technical 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 Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $38,325 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,296 to complete this degree. Get the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects details for Milwaukee Area Technical College

7
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

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. There were roughly 91 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $27,256. Students borrow a median of $25,864 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects from Depaul University

8

Bradley University came in at #8 for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree from Bradley University earn around $24,941 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects details for Bradley University

9
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University landed the #9 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 70 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Ferris State University in the most recent data year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $30,059 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,339 to complete this degree. See the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program report for Ferris State University

10

College For Creative Studies earned the #10 position for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Located in the city of Detroit, College For Creative Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 80 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at College For Creative Studies in the most recent 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. College For Creative Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program report for College For Creative Studies

11

Joliet Junior College earned the #11 position for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Joliet. There were roughly 31 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Joliet Junior College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program make about $40,118 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete this degree. See the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program report for Joliet Junior College

12

Cleveland Institute Of Art came in at #12 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. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 21 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at Cleveland Institute Of Art in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from Cleveland Institute Of Art generally make around $19,409. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program at Cleveland Institute Of Art

13

Columbus College Of Art And Design placed #13 among the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Columbus. About 56% of students finish within six years. Columbus College Of Art And Design awarded about 40 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees in the most recent data year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Columbus College Of Art And Design earn a median of $20,110 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects from Columbus College Of Art And Design

14

Moraine Valley Community College came in at #14 for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Moraine Valley Community College awarded about 21 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 Moraine Valley Community College earn around $43,844 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,149. Get the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects details for Moraine Valley Community College

15
Huntington University crest
Huntington University
Huntington, IN

Huntington University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Huntington. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Huntington University in the most recent data year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Huntington University earn a median of $16,522 early in their careers. Huntington University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program report for Huntington University

16

Kalamazoo Valley Community College landed the #16 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 13 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program make about $44,198 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,525. Read more about the animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program at Kalamazoo Valley Community College

17

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College landed the #17 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 40 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College generally make around $33,960. Typical student debt for the program is $11,533. Get the full animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects details for City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 46 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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