2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Film, Video & Photographic Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools.
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2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the film, video & photographic arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools
Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #1 spot for value among film, video & photographic arts schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $14,636. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $39,394. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in film, video & photographic arts will find it at Sinclair Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Oakland Community College one of the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $9,041. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $17,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #6 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,760 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $25,565. That is a strong return on a $19,760 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #7 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $14,997. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,016 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,997 median debt.
Northcentral Technical College placed #8 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. In-state tuition and fees average $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Students borrow a median of $11,709 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $41,696. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #9 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $25,306 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $45,767 early in their careers. Set against $25,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
Stark State College placed #10 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Huntington University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the town of Huntington, Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,870. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $26,996. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Huntington University earn a median of $27,455 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,996 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #12 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Mott Community College came in at #13 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $20,645. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $37,989 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,645 median debt.
Wayne State University landed the #14 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $29,500 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $55,469 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Oakland University placed #15 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $22,011. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $24,617 early in their careers. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $23,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University placed #18 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $26,774. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $22,263. Set against $26,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Grand Valley State University came in at #20 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $25,899 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $25,256. That is a strong return on a $25,899 median debt. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Chicago ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Western Michigan University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $26,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #23 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $49,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University landed the #24 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $54,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $19,803. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in film, video & photographic arts:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 100 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
