by our College Data Analytics Team
[Film Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/film-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for film studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in film studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in film studies, no school beat Santa Monica College this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in film studies will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for film studies. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $9,776. Film Studies graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in film studies will find it at Santa Rosa Junior College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Citrus College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Las Positas College came in at #6 for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,168, while out-of-state students pay about $9,808. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
Monroe Community College landed the #7 spot for film studies value this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #8 spot for film studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City College Of San Francisco earned the #9 position for value in film studies this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Nevada placed #10 among the best values for film studies. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $4,358, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cosumnes River College landed the #11 spot for film studies value this year. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $19,699. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Oakland Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $43,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Los Angeles Valley College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,254 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Los Angeles Valley College generally make around $81,600. Set against $10,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State University placed #14 among the best values for film studies. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,898, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $28,493. Film Studies graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $51,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,493 median debt. Columbus State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Fashion Institute Of Technology came in at #15 for value in film studies this year. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $8,174, compared with $22,696 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $17,912 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $29,250 early in their careers. Set against $17,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television earned the #16 position for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Bayamon, Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,796. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television generally make around $7,984.
Full Sail University landed the #17 spot for film studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Winter Park, Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,906. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $29,320 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $24,679. That is a strong return on a $29,320 median debt.
Explore the best-value film studies schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.