ADVERTISEMENTS
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.
Learn More
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.
Learn More
2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Massachusetts
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Massachusetts Amherst the best value for a degree in film, video & photographic arts in Massachusetts. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $25,234. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,543. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,400, while out-of-state students pay about $43,400. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $25,965. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $22,764. Set against $25,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Smith College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. Students borrow a median of $18,941 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $40,436. Set against $18,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wheaton College Massachusetts earned it the #4 place for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the suburb of Norton, Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,960. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $28,498. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
A rank of #5 makes Lesley University one of the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,256. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $26,974 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Lesley University earn a median of $31,846 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Tufts University earned the #6 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $56,418. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants.
Emerson College earned the #7 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Boston, Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,056. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $27,032. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 51%.
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 · 24 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.
[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.
