2026 Best Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools in Illinois
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.
College Factual analyzed 20 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects schools.
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Best Schools for Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects education in Illinois.
Top Schools in Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects
Leading the list is Columbia College Chicago, our #1 school for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 52% of students finish within six years. 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. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $26,309 early in their careers. Columbia College Chicago graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
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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 #2 spot this year. This very large public university is 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. College Of Dupage graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans.
More information about a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects from College Of Dupage
Depaul University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects, ranking #3. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 91 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $27,256 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,864.
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Bradley University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects, landing the #4 spot 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. 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. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $24,941 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Joliet Junior 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 suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. About 31 animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,995.
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Moraine Valley Community College placed #6 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. Moraine Valley Community College awarded about 21 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 $43,844 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,149.
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City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College landed the #7 spot for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Chicago. 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. 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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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 20 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.
