2026 Best Value Film Studies Schools
[Film Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/film-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 254 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for film studies students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Film Studies School for You
The film studies program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Film Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Film Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2026 Best Value Film Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the film studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Film Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in film studies in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $7,134 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $24,869. That is a strong return on a $7,134 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for film studies. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,622 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $26,786 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in film studies will find it at California State University Dominguez Hills, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for film studies. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $26,918 early in their careers. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #5 place for film studies. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $15,671. Early-career film studies graduates make about $50,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #6 among the best values for film studies. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $28,561. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
College Of The Canyons earned the #7 position for value in film studies this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Santa Monica College earned the #8 position for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #9 for value in film studies this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
San Francisco State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $17,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $18,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #11 for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queens College earned the #12 position for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $12,157. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $41,847. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of California Irvine landed the #13 spot for film studies value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,300 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $21,397 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #14 spot for film studies value this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $28,608. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
Citrus College came in at #15 for value in film studies this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Arizona State University earned the #16 position for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $20,534 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $55,876. That is a strong return on a $20,534 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Virginia Community College placed #17 among the best values for film studies. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $14,413. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $34,825 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $17,034 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Utah earned the #20 position for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $24,063. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $28,138. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
City College Of San Francisco came in at #21 for value in film studies this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $1,696 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $10,332. Film Studies graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #22 for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $21,491 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $19,760. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $25,565. Set against $19,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Santa Barbara City College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,240, compared with $10,432 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. That is a strong return on a $21,090 median debt.
University Of California Riverside earned the #25 position for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $24,840. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Film Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for film studies this year:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Film Studies. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 254 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 95 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.
