2027 Best Value Commercial Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Commercial Photography](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/commercial-photography/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value commercial photography schools.
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2027 Best Value Commercial Photography Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the commercial photography degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Commercial Photography Schools
Our analysis ranked Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus the best value for a degree in commercial photography in the United States. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Typical student debt for commercial photography graduates is $27,000. Commercial Photography graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $34,981 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value commercial photography schools. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the commercial photography program here. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $34,722. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Fashion Institute Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in commercial photography, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,174, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Commercial Photography graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $27,023 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fashion Institute Of Technology admits about 60% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kent State University At Kent earned it the #4 place for commercial photography. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career commercial photography graduates make about $36,351. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in commercial photography will find it at Ohio University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $26,791 to complete the commercial photography program here. Early-career commercial photography graduates make about $24,716. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Mississippi College landed the #6 spot for commercial photography value this year. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,500. Typical student debt for commercial photography graduates is $25,510. Commercial Photography graduates of Mississippi College earn a median of $47,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,510 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Nossi College Of Art earned the #7 position for value in commercial photography this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Nossi College Of Art is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,350. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $46,500 in student loans. Commercial Photography graduates of Nossi College Of Art earn a median of $24,497 early in their careers. Set against $46,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nossi College Of Art admits about 46% of applicants.
Dallas Baptist University came in at #8 for value in commercial photography this year. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,190 in tuition and fees. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $22,819 in student loans. Commercial Photography graduates of Dallas Baptist University earn a median of $48,822 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Rocky Mountain College Of Art And Design earned the #9 position for value in commercial photography this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Rocky Mountain College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,190. Typical student debt for commercial photography graduates is $46,544. Commercial Photography graduates of Rocky Mountain College Of Art And Design earn a median of $30,115 early in their careers. Set against $46,544 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Other Commercial Photography Degree Levels
Explore the best-value commercial photography schools at other degree levels:
View All Commercial Photography Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
- 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.
