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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong photography education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 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 Miami Dade College, our #1 best value for photography in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $6,500. Early-career photography graduates make about $21,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in photography will find it at Pellissippi State Community College, which ranked #2. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,770. Photography graduates carry a median of $8,951 in student loans. Photography graduates of Pellissippi State Community College earn a median of $43,816 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Daytona State College one of the best values for photography. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,106, while out-of-state students pay about $11,994. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $10,000. Early-career photography graduates make about $43,320. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nashville State Community College earned it the #4 place for photography. Nashville State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $4,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,714. Students borrow a median of $16,745 to complete the photography program here. Photography graduates of Nashville State Community College earn a median of $41,456 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in photography will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Photography graduates carry a median of $21,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $23,676. Set against $21,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #6 spot for photography value this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $14,413. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value photography schools. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $19,270 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $28,202. That is a strong return on a $19,270 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Delgado Community College placed #8 among the best values for photography. Located in the city of New Orleans, Delgado Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,279. Photography graduates carry a median of $25,283 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $36,073. That is a strong return on a $25,283 median debt.
Freed Hardeman University placed #9 among the best values for photography. Located in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,620. Photography graduates carry a median of $24,479 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $54,530. That is a strong return on a $24,479 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
John Brown University earned the #10 position for value in photography this year. Set in the town of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,756. Photography graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $50,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Orange Technical College Mid Florida Campus came in at #11 for value in photography this year. Orange Technical College Mid Florida Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Photography graduates of Orange Technical College Mid Florida Campus earn a median of $37,013 early in their careers.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #12 for value in photography this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Photography graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $23,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Orange Technical College Winter Park Campus placed #13 among the best values for photography. Set in the suburb of Orlando, Orange Technical College Winter Park Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Early-career photography graduates make about $23,270.
Southern Adventist University landed the #14 spot for photography value this year. Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegedale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,300. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $25,498. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Southern Adventist University generally make around $61,366. Set against $25,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Belmont University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value photography schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,540. Photography graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $30,188. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Belmont University admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Miami ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value photography schools. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. Photography graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Photography graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $35,485 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Spelman College landed the #17 spot for photography value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Spelman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,556. Photography graduates carry a median of $26,397 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $40,217. That is a strong return on a $26,397 median debt. Roughly 25% of applicants are accepted.
Savannah College Of Art And Design earned the #18 position for value in photography this year. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,630. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Savannah College Of Art And Design generally make around $30,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Savannah College Of Art And Design admits about 83% of applicants.
Ringling College Of Art And Design placed #19 among the best values for photography. Located in the city of Sarasota, Ringling College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,900. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $27,000. Photography graduates of Ringling College Of Art And Design earn a median of $18,551 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.