2027 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 213 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for film, video & photographic arts students.
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2027 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
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in film, video & photographic arts in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $7,134. 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. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #2 place for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $13,389. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $26,918 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $13,622 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $20,476. That is a strong return on a $13,622 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in film, video & photographic arts will find it at Utah Valley University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $41,833. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in film, video & photographic arts will find it at Miami Dade College, which ranked #5. 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, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $20,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #6 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, 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. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento placed #7 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $24,618 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,205 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #8 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $14,688. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University landed the #9 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,476 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $31,689. Set against $20,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. 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. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $15,732. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $51,087 early in their careers. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of Central Florida ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $21,375 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $23,676 early in their careers. Set against $21,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #12 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $19,760 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $25,565. Set against $19,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $19,000. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $29,696 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
San Francisco State University came in at #14 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $17,850. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $18,654. Set against $17,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $25,344 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University landed the #16 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $27,028. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University landed the #17 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $22,011 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $18,500. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $21,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #19 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $15,693 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $29,011 early in their careers. Set against $15,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #20 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $16,481. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $28,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Weber State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $19,176. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Utah University earned the #22 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $44,998. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $17,034 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,034 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $66,288 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Georgia ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% 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:
Other Film, Video & Photographic Arts Degree Levels
Explore the best-value film, video & photographic arts schools at other degree levels:
View All Film, Video & Photographic Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 213 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 213 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.
