2027 Best Value Film Studies Master’s Degree 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 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for film studies students.
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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
For return on investment in film studies, no school beat Cuny Brooklyn College this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $13,622. Film Studies graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $33,095 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,622 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $13,389. Film Studies graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $26,918 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film studies, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Francisco State University earned it the #4 place for film studies. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $17,850 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $18,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,850 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #5 place for film studies. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Stony Brook University placed #6 among the best values for film studies. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #7 position for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $13,426. Film Studies graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #8 spot for film studies value this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Students borrow a median of $22,052 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $22,315 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,052 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #9 position for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $31,087. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value film studies schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University landed the #11 spot for film studies value this year. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Students from in state pay about $21,650 in tuition and fees. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Regent University earn a median of $44,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Yale University landed the #12 spot for film studies value this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Lipscomb University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value film studies schools. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $40,572 in tuition and fees. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $48,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
Columbia College Chicago came in at #14 for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,088. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $35,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California came in at #15 for value in film studies this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $21,687. Early-career film studies graduates make about $26,843. Set against $21,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
New York Film Academy earned the #16 position for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Burbank, New York Film Academy is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,122. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $20,250. Early-career film studies graduates make about $15,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American University placed #17 among the best values for film studies. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $51,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. American University admits about 62% of applicants.
Full Sail University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value film studies schools. Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Winter Park. Students from in state pay about $26,906 in tuition and fees. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $27,343 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $21,973. Set against $27,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chapman University came in at #19 for value in film studies this year. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,984. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $19,123. Early-career film studies graduates make about $28,832. That is a strong return on a $19,123 median debt. Chapman University admits about 65% of applicants.
Loyola Marymount University placed #20 among the best values for film studies. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,867. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $27,650. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola Marymount University admits about 45% of applicants.
Savannah College Of Art And Design placed #21 among the best values for film studies. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,630. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of Savannah College Of Art And Design earn a median of $40,671 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Savannah College Of Art And Design admits about 83% of applicants.
Howard University landed the #22 spot for film studies value this year. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,810. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $25,498 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $58,495. That is a strong return on a $25,498 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
The New School earned the #23 position for value in film studies 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. Students borrow a median of $25,829 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $21,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The New School admits about 64% of applicants.
American Film Institute Conservatory earned the #24 position for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, American Film Institute Conservatory is a small private not-for-profit institution. Film Studies graduates of American Film Institute Conservatory earn a median of $20,358 early in their careers.
Other Film Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best-value film studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Film Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
