2026 Best Value Film Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among film studies schools 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, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $7,134 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $24,869. Set against $7,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

2

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $26,918. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

3

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #3 place for film studies. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $15,886. Early-career film studies graduates make about $52,683. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

4

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Students looking for strong value in film studies will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $13,622. Early-career film studies graduates make about $20,476. Set against $13,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

5

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

Students looking for strong value in film studies will find it at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. 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. Film Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,982 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

6

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #6 among the best values for film studies. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $16,481. 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. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

7

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University landed the #7 spot for film studies value this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,850 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $18,654. Set against $17,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

8

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $41,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

9

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine placed #9 among the best values for film studies. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $16,300. Early-career film studies graduates make about $21,397. That is a strong return on a $16,300 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

10

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $15,000. Early-career film studies graduates make about $28,608. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%.

11

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,534 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

12

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for film studies value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $17,034. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. That is a strong return on a $17,034 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

13

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #13 position for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $19,000. Film Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $29,696 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

14

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah came in at #14 for value in film studies this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $24,063. Film Studies graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $28,138 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

15

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #15 spot for film studies value this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $21,491. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

16

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #16 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. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $19,760. Early-career film studies graduates make about $25,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

17

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia came in at #17 for value in film studies this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $21,792. Film Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

18

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside earned the #18 position for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $24,840. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

19

Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA

Eastern Washington University earned the #19 position for value in film studies this year. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $25,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park came in at #20 for value in film studies this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $20,836. Early-career film studies graduates make about $57,901. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

21

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley landed the #21 spot for film studies value this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $15,693. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $29,011. Set against $15,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.

22

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $25,506 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.

23

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University landed the #23 spot for film studies value this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $25,000. Film Studies graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $27,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

24

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis earned the #24 position for value in film studies this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $18,000. Early-career film studies graduates make about $19,258. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

25

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $26,054 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.