by our College Data Analytics Team
[Photography](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/photography/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 98 schools to find the best return on investment for photography students.
What’s on this page:
The photography program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Photography Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Photography Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in photography, balancing cost against outcomes.
College Of The Canyons earned the #1 spot for value among photography schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Photography graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in photography will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Photography graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Miami Dade College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value photography schools. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $21,599. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Cerritos College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value photography schools. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in photography will find it at Modesto Junior College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Photography graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Citrus College came in at #6 for value in photography this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #7 position for value in photography this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Las Positas College landed the #8 spot for photography value this year. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,168, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,088 ten years after entry.
Pellissippi State Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value photography schools. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $8,951. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College generally make around $43,816. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt.
Sinclair Community College landed the #10 spot for photography value this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Photography graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Photography graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College came in at #11 for value in photography this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Photography graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Photography graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value photography schools. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the photography program here. Early-career photography graduates make about $43,025. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
Cosumnes River College earned the #13 position for value in photography this year. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the photography program here. Early-career photography graduates make about $19,699. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Nassau Community College landed the #14 spot for photography value this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Photography graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $38,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College came in at #15 for value in photography this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Photography graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco earned the #16 position for value in photography this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $10,332. Photography graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
Columbus State Community College placed #17 among the best values for photography. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Photography graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Daytona State College earned the #18 position for value in photography this year. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Students from in state pay about $3,106 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,994. Photography graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $43,320. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College earned the #19 position for value in photography this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Photography graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Photography graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Sacramento came in at #20 for value in photography this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $16,205. Photography graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $24,618 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,205 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Nashville State Community College earned the #21 position for value in photography this year. Nashville State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,730, while out-of-state students pay about $17,714. Photography graduates carry a median of $16,745 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $41,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chabot College landed the #22 spot for photography value this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete the photography program here. Early-career photography graduates make about $85,175. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Florida earned the #23 position for value in photography this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $21,375. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $23,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Oakland University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value photography schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $22,011. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #25 position for value in photography this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s photography value ranking:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Photography. Browse the parent area of study.
This list is compiled 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 · 98 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 98 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.