2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Minnesota
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for film, video & photographic arts students.
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2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Minnesota
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
Our analysis ranked Century College the best value for a degree in film, video & photographic arts in Minnesota. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $21,332. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Century College generally make around $47,502. That is a strong return on a $21,332 median debt.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $6,161. Students borrow a median of $12,792 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn a median of $21,172 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,792 median debt.
Central Lakes College Brainerd came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brainerd. Students from in state pay about $6,249 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $14,479. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Central Lakes College Brainerd earn a median of $44,264 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,479 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,875 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $29,958 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Minnesota State University Moorhead earned it the #5 place for film, video & photographic arts. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $23,377. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $50,892 early in their careers. Set against $23,377 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #6 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
St Olaf College placed #7 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,760. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $40,848. That is a strong return on a $24,507 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Minneapolis College Of Art And Design came in at #8 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,484. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $26,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Carleton College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,892. Students borrow a median of $17,566 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Carleton College earn a median of $45,096 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carleton College admits about 20% of applicants.
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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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
