2026 Best Value Film Studies Schools in Washington

[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong film studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for film studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Film Studies Schools in Washington
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
For return on investment in film studies, no school beat Eastern Washington University this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $25,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #2 place for film studies. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $28,561 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Central Washington University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $23,126. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #4 makes Seattle University one of the best values for film studies. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,721 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,583 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $30,256 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,583 median debt. Seattle University admits about 77% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Whitman College one of the best values for film studies. Set in the city of Walla Walla, Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,050. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $17,518 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Whitman College generally make around $32,345. Set against $17,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
More Film Studies Rankings
View All Film Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.