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2022 Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid

38 Ranked Colleges
967 Degrees Awarded
$27,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master's For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 8,429 people earned their degree in film and video production, making the major the 113th most popular in the United States.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 967 film and video production graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 38 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in film and video production. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality film and video production programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the film and video production program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Film & Video Production Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Film & Video Production (With Aid)

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 5 masters’s cinematography degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also made our “Best Film & Video Production Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at Stanford

#2

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
#20 in overall quality

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina School of the Arts landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this small public school awarded 20 degrees to qualified masters’s cinematography students in 2019-2020.

UNCSA also made our “Best Film & Video Production Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNCSA are $26,064, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Film & Video Production at UNCSA

#3

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#16 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s cinematography degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree cinematography students with aid list, Florida State has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Film & Video Production Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Florida State Film & Video Production Report

#4

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Diego State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 7 masters’s cinematography degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658.

Full SDSU Film & Video Production Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Chicago. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 2 masters’s cinematography degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Film & Video Production Report

#6

The University of Montana

Missoula, Montana

The University of Montana did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. The University of Montana is a medium-sized school located in Missoula, Montana that handed out 6 masters’s cinematography degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Montana are $23,242, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full The University of Montana Film & Video Production Report

#7

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#23 in overall quality

San Francisco State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 10 masters’s cinematography degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU also made our “Best Film & Video Production Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #23. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full San Francisco State University Film & Video Production Report

#5 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 62 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Film & Video Production Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 2 masters’s cinematography degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Film & Video Production at UWM

#10

New Jersey City University

Jersey City, New Jersey

New Jersey City University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Jersey City, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s cinematography degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

NJCU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Film & Video Production Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at NJCU are $26,610, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at New Jersey City University

With a ranking of #11, University of Central Arkansas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Conway, Arkansas, and it awarded 5 masters’s cinematography degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UCA are $11,648, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Film & Video Production at UCA

#12

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#17 in overall quality

University of Iowa landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s cinematography degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Film & Video Production Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Iowa are $27,613, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Film & Video Production at University of Iowa

#13

Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana

With a ranking of #13, Montana State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Bozeman, Montana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s cinematography degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at MSU Bozeman are $21,446, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Montana State University Film & Video Production Report

#14

Purchase College

Purchase, New York
#24 in overall quality

Purchase College landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Purchase, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s cinematography degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Purchase College also took the #24 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purchase College are $24,983, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Purchase College Film & Video Production Report

#15

National University

La Jolla, California

With a ranking of #15, National University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Located in La Jolla, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 2 degrees to qualified masters’s cinematography students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at National University are $15,480.

Read more about Film & Video Production at National University

#16

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#18 in overall quality

Temple University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Temple University is a public institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Temple not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Film & Video Production Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Temple are $24,236, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at Temple University

#17

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, California
#21 in overall quality

Mount Saint Mary’s University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Los Angeles, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified masters’s cinematography students in 2019-2020.

MSMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Film & Video Production Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Mount Saint Mary’s University are $12,612.

Full MSMU Film & Video Production Report

Ohio University - Athens Campus landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. OHIO Athens is a large public school situated in Athens, Ohio. It awarded 6 masters’s cinematography degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at OHIO Athens are $17,712, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Ohio University - Athens Campus Film & Video Production Report

#19

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee

Lipscomb University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 5 masters’s cinematography degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Lipscomb University are $18,000, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at Lipscomb

#20

American University

Washington, District of Columbia
#3 in overall quality

American University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Washington, District of Columbia, and it awarded 25 masters’s cinematography degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at The American University, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The American University are $35,524, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full The American University Film & Video Production Report

#21

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. University of Southern California is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 147 masters’s cinematography degrees in 2019-2020.

USC also made our “Best Film & Video Production Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at USC

#22

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, New York
#11 in overall quality

Rochester Institute of Technology came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. RIT is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rochester, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 18 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

RIT did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Film & Video Production Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at RIT are $50,442, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Film & Video Production at RIT

#23

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California
#12 in overall quality

Academy of Art University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in San Francisco, California, this medium-sized private for-profit school handed out 31 diplomas to qualified masters’s cinematography students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree cinematography students with aid list, Academy of Art University has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Film & Video Production Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Academy of Art University are $27,688, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Film & Video Production at Academy of Art University

#24

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

DePaul University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. DePaul University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 38 masters’s cinematography degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at DePaul, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul are $19,760.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at DePaul University

John Paul the Great Catholic University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Cinematography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. JPCatholic is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Escondido, California. It awarded 8 masters’s cinematography degrees in 2019-2020.

Read more about Film & Video Production at JPCatholic

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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