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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 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 Pellissippi State Community College, our #1 best value for photography in Tennessee. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Photography graduates carry a median of $8,951 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $43,816. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in photography will find it at Nashville State Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,730, with out-of-state students paying around $17,714. Students borrow a median of $16,745 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Nashville State Community College generally make around $41,456. That is a strong return on a $16,745 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Middle Tennessee State University one of the best values for photography. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $19,270. Early-career photography graduates make about $28,202. That is a strong return on a $19,270 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in photography will find it at Freed Hardeman University, which ranked #4. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. Students from in state pay about $25,620 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,479 to complete the photography program here. 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. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Southern Adventist University one of the best values for photography. 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. Photography graduates carry a median of $25,498 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $61,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Adventist University admits about 66% of applicants.
Belmont University placed #6 among the best values for photography. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $42,540 in tuition and fees. Photography graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $30,188. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.