2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Ohio

[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools to find the best return on investment for film, video & photographic arts students.
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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.
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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.
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2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Ohio
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
Leading the list is Cuyahoga Community College District, our #1 best value for film, video & photographic arts in Ohio. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinclair Community College earned it the #2 place for film, video & photographic arts. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $9,041. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stark State College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $17,349. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Wright State University Main Campus one of the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $26,750. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $24,617. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $22,500. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $58,088 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Cleveland State University earned the #7 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $22,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $24,546. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $49,736. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $19,803. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
Columbus College Of Art And Design landed the #10 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Columbus College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,825. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Columbus College Of Art And Design earn a median of $28,994 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Columbus College Of Art And Design admits about 68% of applicants.
Xavier University came in at #11 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,425. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $26,614. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Xavier University earn a median of $55,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Xavier University admits about 86% of applicants.
Denison University landed the #12 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Granville. Students from in state pay about $67,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,360 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Denison University generally make around $39,797. Set against $25,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Oberlin College placed #13 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,366 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $23,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oberlin College admits about 34% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.