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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for photography students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in photography, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Weber State University, our #1 best value for photography in Utah. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $19,176. Early-career photography graduates make about $53,920. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Provo earned it the #2 place for photography. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the photography program here. Photography graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $25,506 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Dixie State College Of Utah one of the best values for photography. Located in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $18,246. Photography graduates carry a median of $18,666 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $42,266. Set against $18,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
This list is compiled 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.