2027 Best Value Documentary Production Bachelor’s Degree 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong documentary production education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for documentary production students.
What’s on this page:
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
Leading the list is University Of Arizona, our #1 best value for documentary production in the United States. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the documentary production program here. Documentary Production graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Dixie State College Of Utah one of the best values for documentary production. Located in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,246 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for documentary production graduates is $18,666. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $42,266. That is a strong return on a $18,666 median debt.
University Of California Santa Cruz is a great value for students pursuing a degree in documentary production, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Students borrow a median of $16,439 to complete the documentary production program here. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $23,614. Set against $16,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value documentary production schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the documentary production program here. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in documentary production will find it at The University Of Montana, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,400 to complete the documentary production program here. 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 acceptance rate is 96%.
Lindenwood University earned the #6 position for value in documentary production this year. 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. Documentary Production graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. Set against $28,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #7 position for value in documentary production this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the documentary production program here. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Columbia College Chicago placed #8 among the best values for documentary production. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,088. Typical student debt for documentary production graduates is $26,000. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $23,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Temple University landed the #9 spot for documentary production value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Webster University placed #10 among the best values for documentary production. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,750. Typical student debt for documentary production graduates is $23,700. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $57,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Depaul University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value documentary production schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. 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 $26,164. That is a strong return on a $24,717 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Ithaca College placed #12 among the best values for documentary production. Set in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,616 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the documentary production program here. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $23,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Miami came in at #13 for value in documentary production this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,616 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for documentary production graduates is $18,500. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $35,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Miami admits about 19% of applicants.
Syracuse University earned the #14 position for value in documentary production this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the documentary production program here. Documentary Production graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
Spelman College landed the #15 spot for documentary production value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Spelman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,556 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for documentary production graduates is $26,397. Documentary Production graduates of Spelman College earn a median of $40,217 early in their careers. Set against $26,397 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 25%.
New York Film Academy earned the #16 position for value in documentary production this year. New York Film Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Burbank. Students from in state pay about $37,122 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the documentary production program here. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from New York Film Academy generally make around $16,415. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt.
Emerson College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value documentary production schools. Set in the city of Boston, Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,056. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the documentary production program here. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $40,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 51%.
The New School ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value documentary production schools. 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. Documentary Production graduates of The New School earn a median of $38,468 early in their careers. Set against $25,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Other Documentary Production Degree Levels
Explore the best-value documentary production schools at other degree levels:
View All Documentary Production Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
