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2026 Best Value Film Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in film studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Film Studies Schools
College Of The Canyons tops our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the film studies program here. 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 is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in film studies will find it at Santa Rosa Junior College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in film studies will find it at Citrus College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
ADBLOCK #101
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #6 position for value in film studies this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $14,413. Early-career film studies graduates make about $40,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Barbara City College earned the #7 position for value in film studies this year. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,240, with out-of-state students paying around $10,432. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $68,184. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City College Of San Francisco ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $10,332. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
Cosumnes River College earned the #9 position for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College came in at #10 for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,161. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $12,792 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $43,164. That is a strong return on a $12,792 median debt.
Oakland Community College landed the #11 spot for film studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Los Angeles Valley College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $10,254. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Los Angeles Valley College generally make around $81,600. That is a strong return on a $10,254 median debt.
Fashion Institute Of Technology earned the #13 position for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,174 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Students borrow a median of $17,912 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $29,250 early in their careers. Set against $17,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television landed the #14 spot for film studies value this year. Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Bayamon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,796. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television generally make around $7,984.
Full Sail University placed #15 among the best values for film studies. Set in the suburb of Winter Park, Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,906. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $29,320. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Full Sail University generally make around $24,679. Set against $29,320 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
[Film Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/film-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
