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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 Pennsylvania
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 Bucks County Community College this year. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,068 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $37,711 early in their careers. Set against $13,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Point Park University one of the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,570. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $27,000. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Point Park University earn a median of $40,759 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Point Park University admits about 97% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Temple University one of the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $24,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned it the #4 place for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $22,313 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $28,634 early in their careers. Set against $22,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Gettysburg College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Gettysburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Gettysburg. In-state tuition and fees average $66,640. Students borrow a median of $26,309 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Gettysburg College generally make around $43,376. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $16,155. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Desales University landed the #7 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,800. 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 Desales University generally make around $22,651. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University placed #9 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $25,379. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $19,758. Set against $25,379 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
[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.
