by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects explores Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, And Special Effects. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Use Computer Applications And Related Visual And Sound Imaging Techniques To Manipulate Images And Information Originating As Film, Video, Still Photographs, Digital Copy, Soundtracks, And Physical Objects In Order To Communicate Messages Simulating Real-World Content. Includes Instruction In Specialized Camerawork And Equipment Operation And Maintenance, Image Capture, Computer Programming, Dubbing, Cad Applications, And Applications To Specific Commercial, Industrial, And Entertainment Needs. Read on to learn the important information every animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects programs.
Nationwide, animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects is a popular field of study, with 6,026 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools ranking analyzes these 243 schools to determine the best overall colleges for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects programs later in this article.
Coursework for Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 550 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,180 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,162 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,119 |
People currently working in careers related to animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 52.8% |
| Some college courses | 39.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.7% |
| Master’s degree | 0.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects opens doors to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | 40,928 | 6.1% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,061 |
| 4 years | $41,119 |
| 5 years | $47,590 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $57,836 |
With 243 different animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects school rankings to help you.
Those considering animation, interactive technology, video graphics & special effects, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Prepress/Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design | 1,171 |
| Graphic Communications, General | 551 |
| Graphic and Printing Equipment Operator, General Production | 314 |
| Graphic Communications, Other | 157 |
| Printing Management | 59 |
| Printing Press Operator | 12 |
| Platemaker/Imager | 8 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.