2026 Best Value Photography Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the photography degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Photography Schools
For return on investment in photography, no school beat Cuny Queens College this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Photography graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $41,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
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, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the photography program here. 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.
Students looking for strong value in photography will find it at Cuny Queensborough Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the photography program here. Photography graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in photography will find it at Delaware Technical Community College Terry, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Photography graduates carry a median of $11,154 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $43,322. That is a strong return on a $11,154 median debt.
Fashion Institute Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in photography, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,174, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $17,912. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $29,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Suny At Purchase College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value photography schools. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,016 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Photography graduates carry a median of $26,949 in student loans. Photography graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $18,128 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Purchase College admits about 74% of applicants.
Point Park University earned the #7 position for value in photography this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,570. Photography graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $40,759. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Point Park University admits about 97% of applicants.
Temple University landed the #8 spot for photography value this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Photography graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $24,345. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in photography this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Rochester Institute Of Technology placed #10 among the best values for photography. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $59,210. Photography graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Photography graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $28,858 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Rochester Institute Of Technology admits about 67% of applicants.
New York University placed #11 among the best values for photography. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Photography graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from New York University generally make around $19,835. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Marymount Manhattan College earned the #12 position for value in photography this year. Set in the city of New York, Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,870. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $27,000. Early-career photography graduates make about $25,014. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University earned the #13 position for value in photography this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $25,379. Photography graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $19,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,379 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Maryland Institute College Of Art ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value photography schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Maryland Institute College Of Art is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Maryland Institute College Of Art generally make around $17,500. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University placed #15 among the best values for photography. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $27,000. Early-career photography graduates make about $26,331. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
American University came in at #16 for value in photography this year. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from American University generally make around $39,108. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. American University admits about 62% of applicants.
Pratt Institute Main ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value photography schools. Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $61,845 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the photography program here. Photography graduates of Pratt Institute Main earn a median of $16,710 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pratt Institute Main admits about 73% of applicants.
The New School came in at #18 for value in photography this year. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $58,730. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $25,829. Photography graduates of The New School earn a median of $21,523 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
School Of Visual Arts earned the #19 position for value in photography this year. Set in the city of New York, School Of Visual Arts is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,400. Photography graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $26,888. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
[Photography](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/photography/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
