2027 Best Value Photography Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value photography schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Photography Schools in the The Plains States 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
Leading the list is Lindenwood University, our #1 best value for photography in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $28,663. Early-career photography graduates make about $48,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Washington University In St Louis one of the best values for photography. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Photography graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $68,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
A rank of #3 makes Webster University one of the best values for photography. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,750. Photography graduates carry a median of $23,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $19,071. That is a strong return on a $23,700 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas City Art Institute came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value photography schools. Kansas City Art Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $44,550 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the photography program here. Photography graduates of Kansas City Art Institute earn a median of $22,619 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a great value for students pursuing a degree in photography, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,484 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $27,000. Early-career photography graduates make about $26,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
