2027 Best Value Commercial Photography Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Commercial Photography](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/commercial-photography/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for commercial photography students.
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2027 Best Value Commercial Photography Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
For return on investment in commercial photography, no school beat Cuny Laguardia Community College this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the commercial photography program here. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $13,554. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
Bucks County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in commercial photography, landing the #2 spot this year. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Students borrow a median of $13,068 to complete the commercial photography program here. Commercial Photography graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $37,711 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montgomery College earned it the #3 place for commercial photography. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Students borrow a median of $11,230 to complete the commercial photography program here. Early-career commercial photography graduates make about $24,833. Set against $11,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Mohawk Valley Community College one of the best values for commercial photography. Located in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,851. Students borrow a median of $9,534 to complete the commercial photography program here. Early-career commercial photography graduates make about $21,012. That is a strong return on a $9,534 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in commercial photography will find it at Harford Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, compared with $8,832 for out-of-state students. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $12,624 in student loans. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Harford Community College generally make around $50,636. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #6 for value in commercial photography this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the commercial photography program here. Commercial Photography graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $34,981 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Fashion Institute Of Technology earned the #7 position for value in commercial photography this year. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,174, with out-of-state students paying around $22,696. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the commercial photography program here. Commercial Photography graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $20,692 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
