2027 Best Value Film Studies Schools in the The Plains States 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong film studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for film studies students.
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2027 Best Value Film Studies Schools in the The Plains States 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
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #1 spot for value among film studies schools in the The Plains States Region. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $31,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Cloud State University one of the best values for film studies. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Students borrow a median of $25,076 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $26,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Kansas one of the best values for film studies. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $28,289 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value film studies schools. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $23,377 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $50,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Students looking for strong value in film studies will find it at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $19,833 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $29,613. That is a strong return on a $19,833 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value film studies schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
University Of Iowa earned the #7 position for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $26,147 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Webster University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value film studies schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,750. Students borrow a median of $23,700 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $19,071. Set against $23,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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.
