2027 Best Value Photography Schools in the New England Region
[Photography](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/photography/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for photography students.
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2027 Best Value Photography Schools in the New England 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
Rhode Island College tops our 2027 list of the best value photography schools in the New England Region. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Photography graduates carry a median of $23,394 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $18,685. Set against $23,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #2 makes Fitchburg State University one of the best values for photography. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $25,840. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $48,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Yale University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in photography, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the photography program here. Photography graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #4 makes Husson University one of the best values for photography. Located in the city of Bangor, Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,304. Photography graduates carry a median of $27,735 in student loans. Photography graduates of Husson University earn a median of $52,868 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,735 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value photography schools. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,400, while out-of-state students pay about $43,400. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $25,965. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Massachusetts College Of Art And Design generally make around $22,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hartford ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value photography schools. University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,075. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $27,000. Early-career photography graduates make about $17,521. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Lesley University landed the #7 spot for photography value this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,256 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,974 to complete the photography program here. Photography graduates of Lesley University earn a median of $31,846 early in their careers. Set against $26,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Southern New Hampshire University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value photography schools. Located in the suburb of Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,200. Photography graduates carry a median of $26,110 in student loans. Photography graduates of Southern New Hampshire University earn a median of $30,784 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,110 median debt. Southern New Hampshire University admits about 100% of applicants.
Rhode Island School Of Design earned the #9 position for value in photography this year. Set in the city of Providence, Rhode Island School Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Photography graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Photography graduates of Rhode Island School Of Design earn a median of $17,701 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
