2026 Best Value Film Studies Schools in California
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong film studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 48 schools to find the best return on investment for film studies students.
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2026 Best Value Film Studies Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in film studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Film Studies Schools
California State University Dominguez Hills tops our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools in California. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Monica College earned it the #3 place for film studies. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
A rank of #4 makes Citrus College one of the best values for film studies. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
A rank of #5 makes Santa Rosa Junior College one of the best values for film studies. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. 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.
California State University Long Beach landed the #6 spot for film studies value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,982 early in their careers. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Cosumnes River College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $5,500. Film Studies graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco came in at #8 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, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. 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.
Santa Barbara City College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. In-state tuition and fees average $1,240, while out-of-state students pay about $10,432. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $68,184. Set against $21,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California Irvine placed #10 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, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $16,300. 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. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University came in at #11 for value in film studies this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,850 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $18,654 early in their careers. Set against $17,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Los Angeles Valley College came in at #12 for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $10,254 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Los Angeles Valley College generally make around $81,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #13 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, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $28,608 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside placed #14 among the best values for film studies. 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. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $24,840 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #15 among the best values for film studies. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $19,000. Early-career film studies graduates make about $34,825. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #16 position for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $15,693 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $29,011 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of California Davis earned the #17 position for value in film studies this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $18,000. Early-career film studies graduates make about $19,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
California Baptist University placed #18 among the best values for film studies. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,228 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $26,988. Film Studies graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $25,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Baptist University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Southern California came in at #19 for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $21,687 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $30,515 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,687 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Columbia College Hollywood placed #20 among the best values for film studies. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Columbia College Hollywood is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,186. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $23,251 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Columbia College Hollywood generally make around $20,233. Set against $23,251 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Occidental College landed the #21 spot for film studies value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,274. Students borrow a median of $20,804 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $30,526. Set against $20,804 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Loyola Marymount University came in at #22 for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,867. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $26,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola Marymount University admits about 45% of applicants.
New York Film Academy ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. New York Film Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Burbank. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,122. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of New York Film Academy earn a median of $15,090 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chapman University earned the #24 position for value in film studies this year. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,984. Students borrow a median of $19,123 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $32,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
More Film Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
