Best institutions to study 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.
250 U.S. institutions graduated 6,849 Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 10.0304, a specialization of Graphic Communications (CIP 10.03), and leads most directly to the Special Effects Artists and Animators occupation (BLS SOC 27-1014).
About Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects programs
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.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Animation program, part of the Graphic Communications field, prepares students to utilize computer applications and visual and sound imaging techniques to create compelling animated content. This program is designed for individuals interested in manipulating images and information from various media sources to effectively communicate messages that simulate real-world experiences.
Learn more about Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects →
Students in this program will develop core skills in design, computer animation, and multimedia production. Coursework includes specialized camerawork, image capture, and the use of computer programming and CAD applications, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to excel in the animation industry.
Credentials awarded
What Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree3,626 graduates / yr · 97 institutions53%
- Associate's degree1,259 graduates / yr · 97 institutions18%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year703 graduates / yr · 70 institutions10%
- Master's degree638 graduates / yr · 23 institutions9.3%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years527 graduates / yr · 61 institutions7.7%
- Award of less than 12 weeks53 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.8%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate40 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.6%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 4,043 |
| 2013 | 4,151 |
| 2014 | 4,406 |
| 2015 | 4,363 |
| 2016 | 4,372 |
| 2017 | 4,685 |
| 2018 | 4,679 |
| 2019 | 5,138 |
| 2020 | 5,238 |
| 2021 | 5,352 |
| 2022 | 5,687 |
| 2023 | 5,601 |
| 2024 | 6,014 |
| 2025 | 6,849 |
Top 50 institutions for Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 858 | 69% | $44,902 | $23,451 |
| 2 | Academy of Art University San Francisco, CAPrivate for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAssociate's | 172 | 34% | $40,294 | $27,481 |
| 3 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CAPublicBachelor's | 140 | 75% | — | $25,358 |
| 4 | Ringling College of Art and Design Sarasota, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 132 | 72% | $54,693 | $44,048 |
| 5 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 132 | 68% | $28,141 | $19,178 |
| 6 | Front Range Community College Westminster, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 129 | 35% | — | $25,702 |
| 7 | Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 123 | 36% | — | — |
| 8 | Pratt Institute - Main Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 117 | 74% | $49,088 | $20,048 |
| 9 | Northwest Vista College San Antonio, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 117 | 32% | — | — |
| 10 | Art Center College of Design Pasadena, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 116 | 79% | $48,578 | $67,010 |
| 11 | School of Visual Arts New York, NYPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 116 | 76% | $58,518 | $22,478 |
| 12 | Los Angeles Film School Hollywood, CAPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 97 | 41% | $32,792 | $15,529 |
| 13 | CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College New York, NYPublicAssociate's | 86 | 25% | — | $23,319 |
| 14 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 81 | 68% | — | $29,305 |
| 15 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicBachelor's | 79 | 68% | — | $29,192 |
| 16 | Francis Tuttle Technology Center Oklahoma City, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 78 | 52% | — | — |
| 17 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HIPublicBachelor's | 76 | 64% | — | $16,556 |
| 18 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 76 | 52% | $28,087 | $26,309 |
| 19 | Southern Methodist University Dallas, TXPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 76 | 84% | $33,246 | — |
| 20 | Kiamichi Technology Center - McAlester McAlester, OKPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 75 | 45% | — | — |
| 21 | Dallas College Dallas, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 73 | 32% | — | — |
| 22 | College for Creative Studies Detroit, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 72 | 71% | $32,153 | $20,720 |
| 23 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TXPublicBachelor's | 71 | 55% | — | — |
| 24 | DigiPen Institute of Technology Redmond, WAPrivate for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 68 | 61% | $39,863 | $37,605 |
| 25 | California Institute of the Arts Valencia, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 67 | 67% | $42,045 | — |
| 26 | Pikes Peak State College Colorado Springs, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 65 | 21% | — | $25,596 |
| 27 | Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design Lakewood, COPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 64 | 32% | $28,500 | $23,247 |
| 28 | California College of the Arts San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 60 | 61% | $40,041 | $26,481 |
| 29 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 60 | 45% | — | — |
| 30 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MIPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 60 | 47% | — | $30,059 |
| 31 | University of Hawaii - West Oahu Kapolei, HIPublicBachelor's | 59 | 50% | — | — |
| 32 | Miami Dade College Miami, FLPublicAssociate's | 57 | 46% | — | $12,448 |
| 33 | Somerset Community College Somerset, KYPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 57 | 43% | — | — |
| 34 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 57 | 91% | $18,925 | — |
| 35 | Southern Maine Community College South Portland, MEPublicAssociate's | 56 | 28% | — | — |
| 36 | Columbus College of Art & Design Columbus, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 55 | 56% | $30,330 | $20,110 |
| 37 | Atlantic University Guaynabo, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 55 | 39% | $7,785 | $15,397 |
| 38 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TNPublicBachelor's | 54 | 53% | — | $20,802 |
| 39 | Pasadena City College Pasadena, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 49 | 48% | — | — |
| 40 | Ball State University Muncie, INPublicBachelor's | 46 | 62% | — | — |
| 41 | Clark University Worcester, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 45 | 77% | $23,332 | — |
| 42 | Los Angeles Mission College Sylmar, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 43 | 20% | — | — |
| 43 | Laguna College of Art and Design Laguna Beach, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 42 | 52% | $41,341 | $17,941 |
| 44 | Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FLPublicBachelor's | 42 | 37% | — | $30,795 |
| 45 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NMPublicBachelor's | 42 | 55% | — | $24,115 |
| 46 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology Kirkland, WAPublicAssociate'sBachelor's | 41 | 37% | — | — |
| 47 | University of Baltimore Baltimore, MDPublicBachelor's | 40 | 38% | — | — |
| 48 | Kansas City Art Institute Kansas City, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 40 | 58% | $29,039 | $17,852 |
| 49 | Antelope Valley Community College District Lancaster, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 39 | 34% | — | — |
| 50 | CUNY Hostos Community College Bronx, NYPublicAssociate's | 39 | 16% | — | $10,309 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Graphic Communications field (CIP 10.03) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 40 states & territories
Where Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects graduates come from. Each state links to all Graphic Communications programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-1014, Special Effects Artists and Animators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Animation program can pursue careers as Special Effects Artists and Animators. The job outlook indicates little or no change in this field, with approximately 5,000 annual openings and a median wage of $99,800. A Bachelor's degree is typically required for these positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 10.0304
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Special Effects Artists and Animatorsprimary SOC 27-1014 | $102,030 | +1.6% Little or no change | ~5,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Design complex graphics and animation, using independent judgment, creativity, and computer equipment.
- Create basic designs, drawings, and illustrations for product labels, cartons, direct mail, or television.
- Participate in design and production of multimedia campaigns, handling budgeting and scheduling, and assisting with such responsibilities as production coordination, background design, and progress tracking.
- Create two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modeling programs.
- Make objects or characters appear lifelike by manipulating light, color, texture, shadow, and transparency, or manipulating static images to give the illusion of motion.
- Apply story development, directing, cinematography, and editing to animation to create storyboards that show the flow of the animation and map out key scenes and characters.
Tools and technology used
Other Graphic Communications specializations
The 8 other 6-digit CIP codes under Graphic Communications (CIP 10.03).
- Prepress/CIP 10.0303
Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design 1,335 graduates / yr83 institutions - Graphic CommunicationsCIP 10.0301455 graduates / yr29 institutions
- Graphic and Printing Equipment OperatorCIP 10.0305252 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Graphic CommunicationsCIP 10.0399170 graduates / yr10 institutions
- Printing ManagementCIP 10.0302partial data56 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Printing Press OperatorCIP 10.0307limited data9 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Platemaker/CIP 10.0306
Imager limited data7 graduates / yr2 institutions - Computer Typography and Composition Equipment OperatorCIP 10.0308limited data7 graduates / yr1 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, or an Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, design, and communication, among others.
What types of tasks will I perform?+
Tasks include designing graphics, creating animations, and participating in multimedia campaign production.
What is the job outlook for animators?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 5,000 annual openings in the field.
What is the CIP code for Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects?+
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects is CIP 10.0304 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Graphic Communications (CIP 10.03). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects programs?+
250 U.S. institutions reported Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 40 states & territories, awarding 6,849 credentials in the year. That is 74.9% of all Graphic Communications graduates.
How much do Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Special Effects Artists and Animators occupation, which Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects most directly leads to, pays a median of $102,030 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Graphic Communications field report median earnings of $23,451 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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