2027 Best Value Documentary Production Schools
[Documentary Production](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/documentary-production/) 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 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value documentary production schools.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Documentary Production School for You
The right documentary production school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Documentary Production Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Documentary Production Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
See how we build our rankings
2027 Best Value Documentary Production Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the documentary production degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Documentary Production Schools
Our analysis ranked Glendale Community College Glendale Az the best value for a degree in documentary production in the United States. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for documentary production graduates is $15,996. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in documentary production will find it at University Of Arizona, which ranked #2. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for documentary production graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Dixie State College Of Utah one of the best values for documentary production. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $18,246. Documentary Production graduates carry a median of $18,666 in student loans. Documentary Production graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $42,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,666 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Santa Cruz earned it the #4 place for documentary production. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Documentary Production graduates carry a median of $16,439 in student loans. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $23,614. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value documentary production schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for documentary production graduates is $24,408. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $46,503. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Montana placed #6 among the best values for documentary production. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Typical student debt for documentary production graduates is $26,400. Documentary Production graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $24,679 early in their careers. Set against $26,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.
Lindenwood University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value documentary production schools. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Students borrow a median of $28,663 to complete the documentary production program here. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $48,197. Set against $28,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #8 spot for documentary production value this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Typical student debt for documentary production graduates is $20,000. Documentary Production graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Mount St Marys College landed the #9 spot for documentary production value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,564. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the documentary production program here. Documentary Production graduates of Mount St Marys College earn a median of $25,835 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Columbia College Chicago earned the #10 position for value in documentary production this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,088. Documentary Production graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $29,694. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Temple University earned the #11 position for value in documentary production this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the documentary production program here. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $54,642. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Wake Forest University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value documentary production schools. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,642. Documentary Production graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $67,369. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. Wake Forest University admits about 22% of applicants.
Webster University landed the #13 spot for documentary production value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,750. Typical student debt for documentary production graduates is $23,700. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $57,152. Set against $23,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University earned the #14 position for value in documentary production this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Students borrow a median of $24,717 to complete the documentary production program here. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $25,028. That is a strong return on a $24,717 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Ithaca College earned the #15 position for value in documentary production this year. Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ithaca. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,616. Documentary Production graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Documentary Production graduates of Ithaca College earn a median of $23,782 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Miami placed #16 among the best values for documentary production. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,616. Documentary Production graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $35,485. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University landed the #17 spot for documentary production value this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Typical student debt for documentary production graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $54,785. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Spelman College placed #18 among the best values for documentary production. Spelman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,556. Documentary Production graduates carry a median of $26,397 in student loans. Documentary Production graduates of Spelman College earn a median of $40,217 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 25%.
New York Film Academy ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value documentary production schools. New York Film Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Burbank. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,122. Documentary Production graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $16,793. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Emerson College earned the #20 position for value in documentary production this year. Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,056. Documentary Production graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Documentary Production graduates of Emerson College earn a median of $40,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
The New School earned the #21 position for value in documentary production this year. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,730. Typical student debt for documentary production graduates is $25,829. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $38,468. Set against $25,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Documentary Production Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Documentary Production. Browse the parent area of study.
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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
