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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

19 Ranked Colleges
819 Degrees Awarded
$32,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Film Schools for a Master's in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Film, Video & Photographic Arts is the 64th most popular major in the country with 17,506 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, film, video and photographic arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $22,714 and had an average of $31,549 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 5,094 film, video and photographic arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $22,973 and $38,643 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 819 film, video and photographic arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $59,319 and $48,880 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 19 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in film, video and photographic arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent film, video and photographic arts programs, but they also cost less that 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

The film school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region master’s degree film students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 19 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California. It awarded 5 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011.

Full Stanford Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#2

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of California - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 74 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at UCLA

#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 3 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle also took the #10 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#4

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#16 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Diego State University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 7 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at San Diego State University

#5

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Santa Barbara. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 3 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB also took the #9 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UCSB Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#6

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #6, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. USC is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 173 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at University of Southern California

University of Nevada - Las Vegas landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNLV is a large school located in Las Vegas, Nevada that handed out 2 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

UNLV also took the #0 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Las Vegas are $21,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at UNLV

#8

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#14 in overall quality

San Francisco State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. SFSU is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 14 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944.

Full San Francisco State University Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#9

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school awarded 9 diplomas to qualified masters’s film students in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at UC Santa Cruz

#10

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, California
#18 in overall quality

Sonoma State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Sonoma State University is a medium-sized school located in Rohnert Park, California that handed out 6 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SSU, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SSU are $18,890.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Sonoma State University

#11

California College of the Arts

San Francisco, California
#11 in overall quality

California College of the Arts landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California College of the Arts is located in San Francisco, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s film degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at California College of the Arts, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California College of the Arts are $53,795, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at California College of the Arts

#12

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, California

Mount Saint Mary’s University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. MSMU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 8 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

MSMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mount Saint Mary’s University are $12,612, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at MSMU

#13

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California

Loyola Marymount University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s film degrees to 39 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Loyola Marymount, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Marymount University are $19,756.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Loyola Marymount

#14

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California

Academy of Art University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Academy of Art University is a medium-sized private for-profit school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 87 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree film students whose families make $30-$48k list, Academy of Art University has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Academy of Art University are $27,688.

Full Academy of Art University Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#15

Chapman University

Orange, California

Chapman University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Chapman is located in Orange, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 59 masters’s film degrees to qualified students.

Chapman not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chapman University are $35,105, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Chapman

John Paul the Great Catholic University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. JPCatholic is a small school located in Escondido, California that handed out 8 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at JPCatholic, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at John Paul the Great Catholic University

#17

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, California
#8 in overall quality

California Institute of the Arts did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Valencia, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s film degrees to 33 students in 2019-2020.

CalArts not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of the Arts are $53,466.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at California Institute of the Arts

#18

Art Center College of Design

Pasadena, California
#15 in overall quality

Art Center College of Design landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Art Center College of Design is a small school located in Pasadena, California that handed out 15 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

Art Center College of Design also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at Art Center College of Design are $49,090, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Art Center College of Design

#19

New York Film Academy

Burbank, California

New York Film Academy ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Burbank, California, this small private for-profit school awarded 144 degrees to qualified masters’s film students in 2019-2020.

New York Film Academy also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at New York Film Academy are $35,457, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full New York Film Academy Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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