2027 Best Value Photography Schools in the Southwest Region
[Photography](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/photography/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for photography students.
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2027 Best Value Photography Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in photography, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Photography Schools
Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned the #1 spot for value among photography schools in the Southwest Region. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center earned it the #2 place for photography. Set in the rural area of Choctaw, Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center is a small public institution. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,311.
Northern Arizona University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in photography, landing the #3 spot this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the photography program here. Early-career photography graduates make about $23,418. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in photography, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Photography graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Photography graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Texas State University San Marcos one of the best values for photography. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $26,864. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $33,610. Set against $26,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Saint Edwards University landed the #6 spot for photography value this year. Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,384. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $25,059. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Saint Edwards University generally make around $44,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
