2026 Best Value Documentary Production Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

Our analysis ranked University Of Arizona the best value for a degree in documentary production in the United States. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for documentary production graduates is $21,500. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

2

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value documentary production schools. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Documentary Production graduates carry a median of $16,439 in student loans. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $23,614. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.

3

Dixie State College Of Utah
Saint George, UT

Dixie State College Of Utah came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value documentary production schools. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Documentary Production graduates carry a median of $18,666 in student loans. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $42,266. That is a strong return on a $18,666 median debt.

4

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value documentary production schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the documentary production program here. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.

5

The University Of Montana
Missoula, MT

Students looking for strong value in documentary production will find it at The University Of Montana, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Students borrow a median of $26,400 to complete the documentary production program here. Documentary Production graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $24,679 early in their careers. Set against $26,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

6

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #6 for value in documentary production 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, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the documentary production program here. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

7

Mount St Marys College
Los Angeles, CA

Mount St Marys College placed #7 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. In-state tuition and fees average $49,564. Typical student debt for documentary production graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from Mount St Marys College generally make around $25,835. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

8

Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

Webster University placed #8 among the best values for documentary production. Webster University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,750. Students borrow a median of $23,700 to complete the documentary production program here. Documentary Production graduates of Webster University earn a median of $57,152 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.

9

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Columbia College Chicago landed the #9 spot for documentary production value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,088. Documentary Production graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $23,905. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.

10

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #10 among the best values for documentary production. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Students borrow a median of $24,717 to complete the documentary production program here. Documentary Production graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $55,226 early in their careers. Set against $24,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

11

Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University landed the #11 spot for documentary production value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for documentary production graduates is $25,000. 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%.

12

Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY

Ithaca College came in at #12 for value in documentary production this year. Located in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. The acceptance rate is 69%.

13

University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami came in at #13 for value in documentary production this year. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Documentary Production graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $35,485. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 19%.

14

High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University earned the #14 position for value in documentary production this year. High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of High Point. Students from in state pay about $45,312 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for documentary production graduates is $23,785. Early-career documentary production graduates make about $113,352. Set against $23,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

15

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University placed #15 among the best values for documentary production. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the documentary production program here. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $54,785. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

16

New York Film Academy
Burbank, CA

New York Film Academy came in at #16 for value in documentary production this year. New York Film Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Burbank. Students from in state pay about $37,122 in tuition and fees. Documentary Production graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, documentary production degree recipients from New York Film Academy generally make around $16,415. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Emerson College
Boston, MA

Emerson College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value documentary production schools. Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,056. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the documentary production program here. Documentary Production graduates of Emerson College earn a median of $40,654 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.

18

The New School
New York, NY

The New School ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value documentary production schools. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,730. Students borrow a median of $25,829 to complete the documentary production program here. Documentary Production graduates of The New School earn a median of $21,523 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.