[Film, Video & Photographic Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 295 schools to find the best return on investment for film, video & photographic arts students.
Finding the Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts School for You
The film, video & photographic arts program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $7,134 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $24,869. That is a strong return on a $7,134 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $13,622. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $26,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $13,389. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $26,918. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Students looking for strong value in film, video & photographic arts will find it at Santa Monica College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Metropolitan Community College Area is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $39,877. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University came in at #6 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $16,478. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $41,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma City Community College came in at #7 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $9,043 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $21,032. That is a strong return on a $9,043 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons placed #9 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Miami Dade College landed the #10 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $21,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College earned the #11 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queensborough Community College landed the #12 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Modesto Junior College earned the #13 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $36,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College earned the #14 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Citrus College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Pima Community College placed #16 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #17 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. 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. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Las Positas College placed #18 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,168, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,088 ten years after entry.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $31,437. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
Monroe Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $12,921 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $38,757. Set against $12,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #21 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Pellissippi State Community College landed the #22 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $8,951. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $43,816. Set against $8,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #23 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $39,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Sacramento landed the #24 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $16,205 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $24,618. That is a strong return on a $16,205 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Orange Coast College came in at #25 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
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:
This list is compiled 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 · 295 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 295 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).
[Film, Video & Photographic Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
