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Featured Film, Video & Photographic Arts Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
AA in Digital Photography
Take the first step toward a career of visual expression and doing what you love with this online associate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn More
BA in Digital Photography
Learn to create a striking portfolio and hone the skills you need to succeed in the world of professional photography with this online digital photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn More
Finding the Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts School for You
Where you study film, video & photographic arts affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
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Featured Film, Video & Photographic Arts Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
AA in Digital Photography
Take the first step toward a career of visual expression and doing what you love with this online associate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn More
BA in Digital Photography
Learn to create a striking portfolio and hone the skills you need to succeed in the world of professional photography with this online digital photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn More
2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in film, video & photographic arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools
For return on investment in film, video & photographic arts, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $7,134 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $24,869 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $13,622 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $26,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in film, video & photographic arts will find it at California State University Dominguez Hills, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $15,886. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #4 place for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $26,918. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Metropolitan Community College Area is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $39,877. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
College Of The Canyons earned the #6 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Cuny Queens College earned the #8 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,847 early in their careers. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #9 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Orange Coast College earned the #10 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #11 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Pima Community College earned the #12 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $10,655. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $40,977. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.
Santa Ana College earned the #13 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #14 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College placed #15 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Chabot College placed #16 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $14,122. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Oklahoma City Community College earned the #18 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,043 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $21,032 early in their careers. Set against $9,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $44,673. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College earned the #20 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $9,205. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College came in at #21 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $21,599. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Utah Valley University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $41,833 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #23 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $10,112. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Rhode Island earned the #24 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $14,834. Students borrow a median of $13,940 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Community College Of Rhode Island earn a median of $39,680 early in their careers. Set against $13,940 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Long Beach placed #25 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $50,982. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in film, video & photographic arts:
Narrow Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools by Region
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 691 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 214 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.
[Film, Video & Photographic Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
