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2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

28 Ranked Colleges
4,258 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Film, Video & Photographic Arts is the 62nd most popular major in the country with 16,778 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 California, there were 4,258 film, video and photographic arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $25,500 and $27,453 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 28 colleges that offer a degree 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 in California For Those Making $48-$75k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california film students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts (Income $48-$75k) in California

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school handed out 79 diplomas to qualified ’s film students in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Berkeley is $13,423 for california film students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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%.

Full University of California - Berkeley Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 127 degrees to qualified ’s film students in 2020-2021.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $12,644 for California Film students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at University of California - Los Angeles

3

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Irvine landed the #3 spot on the list. UC Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 167 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine also took the #6 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $13,275 for california film students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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%.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at UC Irvine

4

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Riverside landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school awarded 199 degrees to qualified ’s film students in 2020-2021.

UCR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,126 for California Film students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of California - Riverside.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UCR Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Santa Barbara. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. UCSB is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 184 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $14,583 for california film students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UCSB.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at UCSB

6
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. USC is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 310 ’s film degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USC is $22,826 for California Film students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Southern California Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

7

California State University - Long Beach came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. California State University - Long Beach is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 178 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSULB is $11,189 for california film students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at California State University - Long Beach

8

University of California - Davis came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of California - Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 93 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis also took the #12 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $14,193 for California Film students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 UC Davis

9

With a ranking of #9, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 179 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california film students whose families make $48-$75k list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Cruz is $15,567 for california film students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - Santa Cruz Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

10

California State University - Sacramento came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 73 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california film students whose families make $48-$75k list, Sac State has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $12,602 for california film students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at California State University - Sacramento

11
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. San Francisco State University is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 247 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

SFSU also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend San Francisco State University is $16,065 for california film students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%.

Full SFSU Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

12

California State University - Dominguez Hills ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - Dominguez Hills is located in Carson, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s film degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $6,333 for California Film students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

13
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Arcata, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s film degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $16,716 for California Film students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Humboldt State University Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

14
Woodbury crest
Woodbury University
Burbank, California

Woodbury University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Woodbury University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Burbank, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 42 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Woodbury not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $29,603 for California Film students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Woodbury.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

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

15
MSMU crest
Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, California

Mount Saint Mary’s University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Mount Saint Mary’s University is a small school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 21 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

MSMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for MSMU is $33,649 for california film students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full MSMU Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

16
CLU crest
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, California

With a ranking of #16, California Lutheran University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Thousand Oaks, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s film degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CLU is $24,375 for california film students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at California Lutheran University

17
Loyola Marymount crest
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California

Loyola Marymount University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s film degrees to 104 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california film students whose families make $48-$75k list, Loyola Marymount has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Loyola Marymount is $37,292 for california film students whose families make $48-$75k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Loyola Marymount University Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

18
California College of the Arts crest
California College of the Arts
San Francisco, California

California College of the Arts came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. California College of the Arts is located in San Francisco, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s film degrees to qualified students.

California College of the Arts did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California College of the Arts is $31,474 for california film students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 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.

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

19
Chapman crest
Chapman University
Orange, California

With a ranking of #19, Chapman University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Chapman is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Orange, California. It awarded 190 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california film students whose families make $48-$75k list, Chapman has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $38,525 for california film students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Chapman.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, 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 85%.

Full Chapman Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

20
Columbia College Hollywood crest
Columbia College Hollywood
Tarzana, California

Columbia College Hollywood ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Columbia College Hollywood is a small school located in Tarzana, California that handed out 135 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

Columbia College Hollywood also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $33,725 for california film students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Columbia College Hollywood.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Columbia College Hollywood

21
Biola crest
Biola University
La Mirada, California

Biola University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. This medium-sized school is located in La Mirada, California, and it awarded 56 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

Biola did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $30,789 for California Film students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Biola University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Biola University

22
Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California

Academy of Art University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. Academy of Art University is a medium-sized school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 172 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

Academy of Art University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Academy of Art University is $34,695 for California Film students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

23
CalArts crest
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, California

California Institute of the Arts ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Valencia, California, and it awarded 63 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

CalArts not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California Institute of the Arts is $55,675 for California Film students whose families make $48-$75k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

24
Art Center College of Design crest
Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, California

Art Center College of Design did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #24. Pasadena, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s film degrees to 60 students in 2020-2021.

Art Center College of Design did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Art Center College of Design is $42,992 for california film students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. 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.

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

25

FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. FIDM Los Angeles is a small school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 10 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

FIDM Los Angeles did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $40,670 for California Film students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend FIDM Los Angeles.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at FIDM Los Angeles

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