2023 Best Value Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region
42
Ranked Colleges
3,640
Degrees Awarded
$11,000
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 16,778 people earned their degree in film, video and photographic arts, making the major the 62nd most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, film, video and photographic arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $24,170 and had an average of $25,804 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Southeast region, there were 3,640 film, video and photographic arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $21,607 and $25,427 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 42 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in film, video and photographic arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality film, video and photographic arts programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the film, video and photographic arts program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region film students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region
Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 17 diplomas to qualified ’s film students in 2020-2021.
Vanderbilt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Vanderbilt University is $3,176 for Southeast Region Film students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Vanderbilt
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina School of the Arts. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and it awarded 88 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNCSA, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNCSA is $5,766 for southeast region film students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s film degrees to 52 students in 2020-2021.
Florida State also took the #5 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $4,950 for southeast region film students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Florida State.
With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Florida State Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report
Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Emory University landed the #4 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 31 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region film students whose families make $0-$30k list, Emory has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Emory is $8,538 for Southeast Region Film students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Emory
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Valencia College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Valencia College is a large public school situated in Orlando, Florida. It awarded 102 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region film students whose families make $0-$30k list, Valencia College has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $4,942 for Southeast Region Film students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Valencia College.
Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Valencia College
With a ranking of #6, University of Central Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Central Florida is a large school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 144 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.
UCF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UCF is $4,468 for Southeast Region Film students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.
Full University of Central Florida Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report
University of Georgia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Athens, Georgia, this large public school handed out 23 degrees to qualified ’s film students in 2020-2021.
UGA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $8,303 for Southeast Region Film students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UGA.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at UGA
Miami Dade College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. MDC is a large public school situated in Miami, Florida. It awarded 152 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.
MDC also took the #25 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MDC is $4,482 for Southeast Region Film students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Miami Dade College
University of South Carolina - Columbia landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Columbia, South Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s film degrees to 111 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region film students whose families make $0-$30k list, UofSC has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of South Carolina - Columbia is $12,130 for southeast region film students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UofSC Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Annandale, Virginia, this large public school handed out 41 diplomas to qualified ’s film students in 2020-2021.
Northern Virginia Community College also took the #24 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northern Virginia Community College is $7,515 for Southeast Region Film students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Northern Virginia Community College
University of North Carolina at Wilmington landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNCW is a fairly large school located in Wilmington, North Carolina that handed out 95 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.
UNCW did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $11,710 for Southeast Region Film students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNCW.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at UNCW
With a ranking of #12, Middle Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Middle Tennessee State University is a large public school situated in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It awarded 91 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Middle Tennessee State University is $8,763 for Southeast Region Film students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Middle Tennessee State University Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is a large public school situated in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It awarded 16 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Louisiana State University is $11,318 for southeast region film students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
With a ranking of #14, Clemson University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Clemson University is a public institution located in Clemson, South Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Clemson also took the #10 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Clemson University is $13,744 for southeast region film students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Clemson
Georgia State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Georgia State is a large school located in Atlanta, Georgia that handed out 235 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region film students whose families make $0-$30k list, Georgia State has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $15,197 for southeast region film students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Georgia State University.
Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Georgia State
With a ranking of #16, Virginia Commonwealth University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Virginia Commonwealth University is a large school located in Richmond, Virginia that handed out 67 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.
VCU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for VCU is $14,507 for southeast region film students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at VCU
George Mason University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and it awarded 48 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.
GMU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $14,781 for southeast region film students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend GMU.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at George Mason University
Columbus State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Columbus, Georgia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s film degrees to 25 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend CSU is $10,477 for southeast region film students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full CSU Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report
Freed-Hardeman University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. FHU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Henderson, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for FHU is $12,813 for Southeast Region Film students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Freed-Hardeman University
With a ranking of #20, University of Central Arkansas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Conway, Arkansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s film degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend UCA is $14,136 for Southeast Region Film students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Central Arkansas Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report
University of Louisiana at Lafayette came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a fairly large public school situated in Lafayette, Louisiana. It awarded 19 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,990 for southeast region film students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Full University of Louisiana at Lafayette Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report
Regent University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Regent is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 ’s film degrees to qualified students.
Regent not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $20,479 for southeast region film students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Regent.
Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Regent
With a ranking of #23, John Brown University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Siloam Springs, Arkansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s film degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.
JBU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for JBU is $18,136 for Southeast Region Film students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at JBU
Lipscomb University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s film degrees to 25 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region film students whose families make $0-$30k list, Lipscomb has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lipscomb is $21,459 for southeast region film students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Lipscomb University
With a ranking of #25, Tulane University of Louisiana did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in New Orleans, Louisiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 5 degrees to qualified ’s film students in 2020-2021.
Tulane not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Tulane University of Louisiana is $12,456 for Southeast Region Film students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full Tulane University of Louisiana Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report
