2027 Best Value Film Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for film studies students.
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2027 Best Value Film Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in film studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Film Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Front Range Community College the best value for a degree in film studies in the Rocky Mountains Region. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,663, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $17,384. Film Studies graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $40,414 early in their careers. Set against $17,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Idaho earned it the #2 place for film studies. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,844 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $43,246. That is a strong return on a $23,844 median debt. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Brigham Young University Provo one of the best values for film studies. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $25,506. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Utah came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value film studies schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $24,063. Film Studies graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $28,138 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,063 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Boise State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Students borrow a median of $24,311 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $49,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #6 spot for film studies value this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $22,601. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado College landed the #7 spot for film studies value this year. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,734 in tuition and fees. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Colorado College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 18% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Denver landed the #8 spot for film studies value this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $56,999. That is a strong return on a $22,534 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
