2027 Best Value Commercial Photography Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Commercial Photography](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/commercial-photography/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong commercial photography education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for commercial photography students.
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2027 Best Value Commercial Photography Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in commercial photography, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Commercial Photography Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuyahoga Community College District the best value for a degree in commercial photography in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Typical student debt for commercial photography graduates is $11,795. Early-career commercial photography graduates make about $22,517. That is a strong return on a $11,795 median debt.
College Of Dupage came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value commercial photography schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for commercial photography graduates is $11,077. Commercial Photography graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,077 median debt.
Columbus State Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value commercial photography schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in commercial photography, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Students borrow a median of $18,296 to complete the commercial photography program here. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $27,795. That is a strong return on a $18,296 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in commercial photography will find it at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, which ranked #5. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,960, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $14,997 in student loans. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $42,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Owens Community College earned the #6 position for value in commercial photography this year. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,870, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Typical student debt for commercial photography graduates is $19,383. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Owens Community College generally make around $45,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value commercial photography schools. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the commercial photography program here. Commercial Photography graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Madison Area Technical College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value commercial photography schools. Located in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the commercial photography program here. Commercial Photography graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $30,710 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #9 spot for commercial photography value this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Commercial Photography graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $36,351 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for commercial photography value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $26,791 in student loans. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $24,716. Set against $26,791 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
