College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid

138 Ranked Colleges
7,768 Degrees Awarded
$9,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 7,768 people earned their degree in film and video production, making the major the 117th most popular in the United States.

For this year’s “Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 138 colleges that offer a degree in film and video production. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent film and video production programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the film and video production program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Film & Video Production Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Cinematography Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The cinematography school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for cinematography students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Film & Video Production (With Aid)

1
Brooklyn College crest
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, New York

Out of the 138 schools in the Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Brooklyn College landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Brooklyn, New York, and it awarded 113 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,067 for cinematography students with aid per year to attend Brooklyn College.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at Brooklyn College

2
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, Florida

Out of the 138 schools in the Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Valencia College landed the #2 spot on the list. Valencia College is a public institution located in Orlando, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 102 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,354 for Cinematography students with aid per year to attend Valencia College.

Full Valencia College Film & Video Production Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Fashion Institute of Technology. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Fashion Institute of Technology is a public institution located in New York, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

FIT SUNY did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Fashion Institute of Technology is $10,389 for cinematography students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at Fashion Institute of Technology

4
CCNY crest
The City College of New York
New York, New York

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The City College of New York. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid list. CCNY is a public institution located in New York, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for The City College of New York is $2,805 for cinematography students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film & Video Production at CCNY

5
MDC crest
Miami Dade College
Miami, Florida

Out of the 138 schools in the Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Miami Dade College landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 147 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Miami Dade College is $4,870 for Cinematography students with aid.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at MDC

6
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school handed out 52 diplomas to qualified ’s cinematography students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Florida State, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Florida State is $9,946 for cinematography students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film & Video Production at Florida State University

7

With a ranking of #7, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - Riverside is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 91 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools” list. It costs about $11,822 for Cinematography students with aid per year to attend University of California - Riverside.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UCR Film & Video Production Report

8

University of Central Florida ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Orlando, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s cinematography degrees to 139 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,618 for cinematography students with aid per year to attend University of Central Florida.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Central Florida Film & Video Production Report

9

University of North Carolina School of the Arts did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. This small school is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and it awarded 88 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, UNCSA is in the top on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for UNCSA is $13,276 for Cinematography students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UNCSA Film & Video Production Report

10
Scottsdale Community College crest
Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale Community College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Scottsdale Community College is located in Scottsdale, Arizona and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 72 ’s cinematography degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Scottsdale Community College is $11,088 for cinematography students with aid.

Read more about Film & Video Production at Scottsdale Community College

11

With a ranking of #11, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Sacramento is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 53 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,178 for cinematography students with aid per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Sac State Film & Video Production Report

12

Community College of Aurora came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. CCA is a medium-sized school located in Aurora, Colorado that handed out 53 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,509 for Cinematography students with aid per year to attend CCA.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at Community College of Aurora

13

With a ranking of #13, Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Located in New York, New York, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 48 diplomas to qualified ’s cinematography students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Columbia, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools” ranking. It costs about $22,823 for Cinematography students with aid per year to attend Columbia University in the City of New York.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Film & Video Production at Columbia University in the City of New York

14
University of Arizona crest
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. This large school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 2 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Arizona also made our “Best Film & Video Production Schools” list, coming in at #23. It costs about $13,358 for cinematography students with aid per year to attend University of Arizona.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Film & Video Production at University of Arizona

15
Pima County Community College District crest
Pima Community College
Tucson, Arizona

Pima Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Pima County Community College District is a fairly large public school situated in Tucson, Arizona. It awarded 21 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,846 for Cinematography students with aid per year to attend Pima County Community College District.

Read more about Film & Video Production at Pima County Community College District

16

Utah Valley University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Orem, Utah, and it awarded 57 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UVU is $9,955 for cinematography students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Utah Valley University Film & Video Production Report

17
OCCC crest
Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

With a ranking of #17, Oklahoma City Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and it awarded 23 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,794 for Cinematography students with aid per year to attend OCCC.

Read more about Film & Video Production at OCCC

18

Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cuyahoga Community College District is a fairly large school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 14 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cuyahoga Community College District is $4,909 for cinematography students with aid.

Full Cuyahoga Community College District Film & Video Production Report

19
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Century College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. This medium-sized school is located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and it awarded 12 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Century College is $10,397 for cinematography students with aid.

Read more about Film & Video Production at Century College

20
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Oakland is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s cinematography degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $13,449 for cinematography students with aid per year to attend Oakland University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Oakland Film & Video Production Report

21

Minneapolis Community and Technical College landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s cinematography degrees to 36 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,908 for cinematography students with aid per year to attend Minneapolis Community and Technical College.

Full Minneapolis Community and Technical College Film & Video Production Report

22
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid list. University of Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 2 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa excels when it comes to cinematography quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $19,401 for Cinematography students with aid per year to attend Iowa.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Iowa Film & Video Production Report

23

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school awarded 2 degrees to qualified ’s cinematography students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Chicago is $13,214 for cinematography students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at University of Illinois at Chicago

24
CNM crest
Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Central New Mexico Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. This fairly large school is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and it awarded 50 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Central New Mexico Community College is $3,322 for cinematography students with aid.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at CNM

25
Middle Tennessee State University crest
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Murfreesboro, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s cinematography degrees to 91 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,752 for Cinematography students with aid per year to attend Middle Tennessee State University.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at Middle Tennessee State University

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options