2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools
[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong film, video & photographic arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 691 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 United States
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
For return on investment in film, video & photographic arts, no school beat Cuny Brooklyn College this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $13,622 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $33,095 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $26,918 early in their careers. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Florida State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $20,476 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $33,151. Set against $20,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #4 makes San Francisco State University one of the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in film, video & photographic arts will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $39,954. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of Winston Salem, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,477 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,211. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earn a median of $22,901 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 30%.
University Of Georgia landed the #7 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $21,792. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Johns Hopkins University placed #8 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $13,426. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
Stony Brook University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $60,047. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #10 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $31,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $22,052 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $22,315 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $44,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Lipscomb University landed the #14 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $40,572 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Mount St Marys College came in at #15 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $49,564 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Mount St Marys College generally make around $25,835. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Chicago landed the #16 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,088. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $35,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Yale University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
Wake Forest University placed #18 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $67,369. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. Wake Forest University admits about 22% of applicants.
Depaul University landed the #19 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Students borrow a median of $24,717 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $23,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Southern California landed the #20 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $21,687 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $26,843. Set against $21,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
New York University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $15,801. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Full Sail University came in at #22 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Winter Park. In-state tuition and fees average $26,906. Students borrow a median of $27,343 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Full Sail University generally make around $21,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Quinnipiac University came in at #23 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hamden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,480. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $24,864 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Quinnipiac University generally make around $29,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Syracuse University came in at #24 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $26,331 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
Academy Of Art University landed the #25 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,736. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $34,571. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Academy Of Art University earn a median of $41,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 37 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
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Film, Video & Photographic Arts rankings across degree levels:
View All Film, Video & Photographic Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 691 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
