2027 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 53 schools to find the best return on investment for film, video & photographic arts students.
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2027 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
For return on investment in film, video & photographic arts, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,622 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. 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.
Students looking for strong value in film, video & photographic arts will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $26,918. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, 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. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $8,858. 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 landed the #7 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $12,921. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. Set against $12,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #8 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. 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.
Nassau Community College landed the #9 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $38,734. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #10 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $20,836. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Suny Westchester Community College earned the #11 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. Students from in state pay about $5,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $8,764 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $57,520. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mohawk Valley Community College came in at #12 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,218, compared with $8,851 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,900 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Mohawk Valley Community College generally make around $38,373. That is a strong return on a $11,900 median debt.
Montclair State University placed #13 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $28,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry landed the #14 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Students borrow a median of $11,154 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $43,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stony Brook University landed the #15 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. 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. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $60,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #16 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Fashion Institute Of Technology placed #17 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,174, with out-of-state students paying around $22,696. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $17,912. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $29,250. That is a strong return on a $17,912 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Suny College At Oswego placed #18 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $25,798 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $22,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University placed #19 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,263 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $45,448 early in their careers. Set against $28,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Newark came in at #20 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,250, while out-of-state students pay about $36,762. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark generally make around $38,508. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Suny At Purchase College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, with out-of-state students paying around $19,266. Students borrow a median of $26,949 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $18,128. Set against $26,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Purchase College admits about 74% of applicants.
University At Buffalo earned the #22 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $24,509 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $26,630 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,509 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $31,087 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton earned the #24 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Students borrow a median of $20,691 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $22,843 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
Mcdaniel College came in at #25 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the town of Westminster, Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,081. Students borrow a median of $23,247 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Mcdaniel College generally make around $54,904. That is a strong return on a $23,247 median debt. Mcdaniel College admits about 78% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s film, video & photographic arts value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 53 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.
