[Documentary Production](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/documentary-production/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value documentary production schools.
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Finding the Best Value Documentary Production School for You
The right documentary production school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Documentary Production Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Documentary Production Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
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Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned the #1 spot for value among documentary production schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the documentary production program here. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
University Of Arizona came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value documentary production schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for documentary production graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in documentary production will find it at University Of California Santa Cruz, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Typical student debt for documentary production graduates is $16,439. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $23,614. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in documentary production will find it at Dixie State College Of Utah, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,246. Students borrow a median of $18,666 to complete the documentary production program here. Documentary Production graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $42,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,666 median debt.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value documentary production schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Documentary Production graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Documentary Production graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Montana earned the #6 position for value in documentary production this year. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Typical student debt for documentary production graduates is $26,400. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $24,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #7 spot for documentary production value this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the documentary production program here. Documentary Production graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Mount St Marys College placed #8 among the best values for documentary production. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,564. Documentary Production graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Documentary Production graduates of Mount St Marys College earn a median of $25,835 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Mount St Marys College admits about 73% of applicants.
Webster University came in at #9 for value in documentary production this year. Webster University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $31,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for documentary production graduates is $23,700. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $57,152. That is a strong return on a $23,700 median debt. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.
Columbia College Chicago placed #10 among the best values for documentary production. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,088. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the documentary production program here. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $29,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Wake Forest University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value documentary production schools. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,642. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the documentary production program here. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $67,369. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University landed the #12 spot for documentary production value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Documentary Production graduates carry a median of $24,717 in student loans. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $55,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Temple University earned the #13 position for value in documentary production this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the documentary production program here. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $24,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Ithaca College landed the #14 spot for documentary production value this year. Located in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,616. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the documentary production program here. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $23,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ithaca College admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Miami earned the #15 position for value in documentary production this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,616 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the documentary production program here. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $35,485. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
High Point University came in at #16 for value in documentary production this year. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,312 in tuition and fees. Documentary Production graduates carry a median of $23,785 in student loans. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $113,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. High Point University admits about 75% of applicants.
Syracuse University landed the #17 spot for documentary production value this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Documentary Production graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
New York Film Academy earned the #18 position for value in documentary production this year. Set in the city of Burbank, New York Film Academy is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,122. Documentary Production graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $16,793. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Emerson College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value documentary production schools. 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. Typical student debt for documentary production graduates is $24,250. Documentary Production graduates of Emerson College earn a median of $40,654 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 51%.
The New School placed #20 among the best values for documentary production. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,730 in tuition and fees. Documentary Production graduates carry a median of $25,829 in student loans. Documentary Production graduates of The New School earn a median of $21,523 early in their careers. Set against $25,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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).
[Documentary Production](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/documentary-production/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
