2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region
[Film, Video & Photographic Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong film, video & photographic arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 149 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast 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
Chattahoochee Technical College tops our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools in the Southeast Region. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $44,673. 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 Miami Dade College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $21,599. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Southern Crescent Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,516 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,084. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $17,619. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in film, video & photographic arts will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $20,476. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $32,420. That is a strong return on a $20,476 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cape Fear Community College earned the #6 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Cape Fear Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,748, compared with $8,892 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $12,388 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Cape Fear Community College earn a median of $42,889 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,388 median debt.
Daytona State College placed #7 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,106, with out-of-state students paying around $11,994. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Daytona State College generally make around $43,320. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Savannah Technical College earned the #8 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,330, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $12,843. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $37,386. That is a strong return on a $12,843 median debt.
University Of Central Florida came in at #9 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $21,375 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $23,676. Set against $21,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Valencia College came in at #10 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, compared with $9,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $13,549. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Valencia College generally make around $16,635. That is a strong return on a $13,549 median debt.
Palm Beach State College earned the #11 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,050, with out-of-state students paying around $10,910. Students borrow a median of $12,518 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Palm Beach State College earn a median of $21,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,518 median debt.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #12 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $19,270 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $28,202 early in their careers. Set against $19,270 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public school located in the city of Winston Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $9,477, while out-of-state students pay about $27,211. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earn a median of $23,477 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts admits about 30% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University came in at #14 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $44,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Georgia ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Georgia Gwinnett College landed the #16 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,532, compared with $13,844 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $21,280. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $55,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Gwinnett College admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky came in at #17 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Georgia State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $25,755. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $22,588 early in their careers. Set against $25,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Clayton State University earned the #19 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,180, while out-of-state students pay about $16,532. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $27,896 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $15,952. Set against $27,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clayton State University admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of West Georgia came in at #20 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $26,789. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of West Georgia generally make around $46,432. That is a strong return on a $26,789 median debt. University Of West Georgia admits about 52% of applicants.
University Of Central Arkansas came in at #21 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,523 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $22,983. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Central Arkansas earn a median of $26,939 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
George Mason University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $23,989. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #23 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $22,859. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $49,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $13,975. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
William T Mcfatter Technical College placed #25 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the suburb of Davie, William T Mcfatter Technical College is a small public institution. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of William T Mcfatter Technical College earn a median of $28,512 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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:
Narrow Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools by State
More Film, Video & Photographic Arts Rankings
View All Film, Video & Photographic Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 149 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.
