2027 Best Value Film Studies Schools
[Film Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/film-studies/) 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 136 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for film studies students.
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Finding the Best Value Film Studies School for You
Where you study film studies affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Film Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
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We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Film Studies Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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2027 Best Value Film Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the film studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Film Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in film studies in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $7,134 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $24,869. That is a strong return on a $7,134 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in film studies will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $13,622. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $26,786. Set against $13,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #3 place for film studies. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $26,918. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Santa Monica College one of the best values for film studies. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suffolk County Community College earned it the #5 place for film studies. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value film studies schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Canyons came in at #7 for value in film studies this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #8 among the best values for film studies. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #9 among the best values for film studies. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,760 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $25,565. Set against $19,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #10 spot for film studies value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $34,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
California State University Long Beach placed #11 among the best values for film studies. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $15,732. Film Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $51,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,732 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University landed the #12 spot for film studies value this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $17,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $18,654. Set against $17,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #13 for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $28,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Citrus College placed #14 among the best values for film studies. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #15 for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $15,693. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $29,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Las Positas College placed #16 among the best values for film studies. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,168, with out-of-state students paying around $9,808. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,088.
Monroe Community College landed the #17 spot for film studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $12,921 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $38,757. That is a strong return on a $12,921 median debt.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $17,034. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. That is a strong return on a $17,034 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago placed #19 among the best values for film studies. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #20 for value in film studies this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
City College Of San Francisco landed the #21 spot for film studies value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #22 for value in film studies this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.
University Of California Davis came in at #23 for value in film studies this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $19,258 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #24 position for value in film studies this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $18,500. Early-career film studies graduates make about $21,491. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #25 position for value in film studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Students borrow a median of $25,306 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $45,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Film Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s film studies value ranking:
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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 · 136 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 136 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.
