2027 Best Value Film Studies Schools in the New England Region

[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for film studies students.
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2027 Best Value Film Studies Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in film studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Film Studies Schools
Keene State College earned the #1 spot for value among film studies schools in the New England Region. Keene State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Keene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,784, with out-of-state students paying around $26,840. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $27,261 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Keene State College admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned it the #2 place for film studies. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $25,195. Early-career film studies graduates make about $53,666. Set against $25,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in film studies will find it at Rhode Island College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $23,394 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $18,685. That is a strong return on a $23,394 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in film studies will find it at Yale University, which ranked #4. 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. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $14,357. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Vermont came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value film studies schools. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $22,607 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $44,588. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Dartmouth College earned the #6 position for value in film studies this year. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $81,992 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College earned the #7 position for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,178. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $18,941. Film Studies graduates of Smith College earn a median of $40,436 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,941 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Wesleyan University placed #8 among the best values for film studies. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,042. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Wheaton College Massachusetts earned the #9 position for value in film studies this year. Located in the suburb of Norton, Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $63,960 in tuition and fees. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Wheaton College Massachusetts earn a median of $28,498 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wheaton College Massachusetts admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Hartford ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,075 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of University Of Hartford earn a median of $17,521 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Middlebury College landed the #11 spot for film studies value this year. Located in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,600 in tuition and fees. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $15,948 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Middlebury College generally make around $54,713. That is a strong return on a $15,948 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Brandeis University earned the #12 position for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,080 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $25,653. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $47,783. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Champlain College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the city of Burlington, Champlain College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,850. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Champlain College generally make around $21,092. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Connecticut College came in at #14 for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of New London, Connecticut College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,242 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,807 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of Connecticut College earn a median of $43,936 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University earned the #15 position for value in film studies this year. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $56,418 early in their careers. Set against $17,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants.
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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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.