2027 Best Value Photography Schools in New York
[Photography](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/photography/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong photography education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for photography students.
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2027 Best Value Photography Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in photography, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Photography Schools
Leading the list is Suffolk County Community College, our #1 best value for photography in New York. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $11,246. Photography graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in photography will find it at Nassau Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Photography graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $38,734. That is a strong return on a $11,850 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Fashion Institute Of Technology one of the best values for photography. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $8,174 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $17,912. Photography graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $29,250 early in their careers. Set against $17,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Suny At Purchase College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in photography, landing the #4 spot this year. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. In-state tuition and fees average $9,016, with out-of-state students paying around $19,266. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $26,949. Photography graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $18,128 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,949 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Long Island University C W Post Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value photography schools. Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,432. Photography graduates carry a median of $25,211 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Long Island University C W Post Campus generally make around $61,547. That is a strong return on a $25,211 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #6 for value in photography this year. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,210. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the photography program here. 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. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Marymount Manhattan College landed the #7 spot for photography value this year. Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $41,870. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $27,000. Photography graduates of Marymount Manhattan College earn a median of $25,014 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Marymount Manhattan College admits about 83% of applicants.
New York University placed #8 among the best values for photography. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from New York University generally make around $19,835. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Syracuse University came in at #9 for value in photography this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $26,331. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
Pratt Institute Main ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value photography schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Early-career photography graduates make about $16,710. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Pratt Institute Main admits about 73% of applicants.
School Of Visual Arts ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value photography schools. Located in the city of New York, School Of Visual Arts is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from School Of Visual Arts generally make around $26,888. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The New School landed the #12 spot for photography value 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. Early-career photography graduates make about $21,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
