by our College Data Analytics Team
[Photography](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/photography/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 258 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value photography schools.
What’s on this page:
The right photography school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created 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.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the photography degrees they offer, see the list below.
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. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $9,776. Early-career photography graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in photography will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Photography graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $41,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Orange Coast College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value photography schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in photography, landing the #4 spot 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in photography will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #5. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Photography graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #6 for value in photography this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College landed the #7 spot for photography value this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $11,196. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #8 spot for photography value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Photography graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Photography graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chabot College came in at #9 for value in photography this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
Cypress College came in at #10 for value in photography this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Miami Dade College placed #11 among the best values for photography. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. 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. Photography graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $21,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Diablo Valley College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value photography schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $9,205. Early-career photography graduates make about $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Victor Valley College landed the #13 spot for photography value this year. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the photography program here. Photography graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cosumnes River College placed #14 among the best values for photography. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Photography graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Cosumnes River College generally make around $19,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College came in at #15 for value in photography this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College landed the #16 spot for photography value this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $12,525. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colorado Mountain College placed #17 among the best values for photography. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Photography graduates carry a median of $12,953 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $48,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State Community College placed #18 among the best values for photography. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Photography graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City College Of San Francisco placed #19 among the best values for photography. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Photography graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Virginia Community College placed #20 among the best values for photography. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the photography program here. Early-career photography graduates make about $40,126. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.
California State University Sacramento placed #21 among the best values for photography. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,205 to complete the photography program here. 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. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Daytona State College landed the #22 spot for photography value 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. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the photography program here. Early-career photography graduates make about $43,320. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry earned the #23 position for value in photography this year. Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public school located in the city of Dover. Students from in state pay about $2,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,763. Photography graduates carry a median of $11,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Delaware Technical Community College Terry generally make around $43,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College came in at #24 for value in photography this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $17,349. Early-career photography graduates make about $42,724. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Florida placed #25 among the best values for photography. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in photography:
Learn about other programs related to Photography that might interest you.
Learn to create a striking portfolio and hone the skills you need to succeed in the world of professional photography with this online digital photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Photography is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 258 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 53 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
