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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for photography students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the photography degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Lindenwood University, our #1 best value for photography in Missouri. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $28,663. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $48,197. That is a strong return on a $28,663 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Students looking for strong value in photography will find it at Washington University In St Louis, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the photography program here. Photography graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Webster University earned it the #3 place for photography. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,700 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $19,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kansas City Art Institute earned it the #4 place for photography. Located in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Art Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,550. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Kansas City Art Institute generally make around $22,619. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.