2027 Best Value Film Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Film Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/film-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value film studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Film Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value film studies schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $7,134 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $24,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,622 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $26,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $26,918 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the best values for film studies. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $20,836. Film Studies graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Students looking for strong value in film studies will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stony Brook University placed #6 among the best values for film studies. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $60,047. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #7 for value in film studies this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,850 early in their careers. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
Monroe Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value film studies schools. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $12,921. Film Studies graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,921 median debt.
Fashion Institute Of Technology landed the #9 spot for film studies value this year. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $8,174 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $17,912 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $29,250. That is a strong return on a $17,912 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #10 position for value in film studies this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $14,688. Early-career film studies graduates make about $51,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Suny At Purchase College placed #11 among the best values for film studies. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,016, with out-of-state students paying around $19,266. Students borrow a median of $26,949 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $18,128 early in their careers. Set against $26,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University At Buffalo came in at #12 for value in film studies this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $24,509 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $26,630. That is a strong return on a $24,509 median debt. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #13 spot for film studies value this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $23,258. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $31,087. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Mcdaniel College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the town of Westminster, Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,081 in tuition and fees. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $23,247 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $54,904. That is a strong return on a $23,247 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Suny College At Cortland placed #15 among the best values for film studies. Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Cortland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,874, while out-of-state students pay about $18,784. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $25,369. Film Studies graduates of Suny College At Cortland earn a median of $38,709 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,369 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #16 for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $23,250. Early-career film studies graduates make about $38,508. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham landed the #17 spot for film studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,468 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham generally make around $22,311. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #18 position for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $99,682. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #19 spot for film studies value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $22,313 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $28,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Pace University New York ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value film studies schools. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,510 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $25,238. Early-career film studies graduates make about $20,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Ithaca College landed the #21 spot for film studies value this year. 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. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $25,000. Film Studies graduates of Ithaca College earn a median of $23,782 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Drexel University landed the #22 spot for film studies value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Students borrow a median of $25,379 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $19,758. That is a strong return on a $25,379 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Vassar College earned the #23 position for value in film studies this year. Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Students from in state pay about $71,030 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $17,993. Early-career film studies graduates make about $28,028. That is a strong return on a $17,993 median debt. Vassar College admits about 19% of applicants.
American University landed the #24 spot for film studies value this year. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from American University generally make around $39,108. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Fordham University came in at #25 for value in film studies this year. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $64,470. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $36,704. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fordham University admits about 59% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 27 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
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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
