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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 Colorado
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 Colorado Mountain College this year. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $12,953. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College generally make around $48,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in film, video & photographic arts will find it at Community College Of Aurora, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $20,750. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $20,533. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Red Rocks Community College earned it the #3 place for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,859 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Students borrow a median of $14,471 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $76,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Emily Griffith Technical College earned it the #4 place for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the city of Denver, Emily Griffith Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $9,725 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Emily Griffith Technical College generally make around $42,412. That is a strong return on a $9,725 median debt.
Pickens Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Pickens Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Aurora. Students from in state pay about $5,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,250. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Pickens Technical College generally make around $35,622. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #6 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $26,582. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $66,022 early in their careers. Set against $26,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #7 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $20,000. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $22,601 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rocky Mountain College Of Art And Design ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Rocky Mountain College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,190. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $41,444 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Rocky Mountain College Of Art And Design earn a median of $30,115 early in their careers. Set against $41,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,734. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Colorado College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. The acceptance rate is 18%.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
