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 the Southwest 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 Pima Community College this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Students borrow a median of $9,043 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $21,032. That is a strong return on a $9,043 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest Vista College earned it the #4 place for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $9,189. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $29,349. Set against $9,189 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $15,625. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $25,344 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Houston Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Oklahoma Technology Center came in at #8 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the rural area of Ardmore, Southern Oklahoma Technology Center is a small public institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,012 ten years after entry.
Arizona State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $20,534 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $31,148 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,534 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center landed the #10 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Choctaw, Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center is a small public institution. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,311.
University Of Houston landed the #11 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $21,255. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Scottsdale Community College placed #12 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $13,084. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Scottsdale Community College generally make around $48,039. Set against $13,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arizona earned the #13 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $26,054. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University came in at #14 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $19,000. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $23,418. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #15 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $24,000. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $32,126. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #16 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $26,864. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $33,610. Set against $26,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $15,851 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $49,983. Set against $15,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $28,625. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $29,094. That is a strong return on a $28,625 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts landed the #19 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Dallas, Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,521 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,316 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $22,845. That is a strong return on a $17,316 median debt. Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts admits about 68% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University landed the #20 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $70,632. Set against $20,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
