2026 Best Value Film Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among film studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, 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. That is a strong return on a $17,034 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $19,760. Film Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $25,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.

3

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Students borrow a median of $25,306 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $45,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

4

Huntington University
Huntington, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Huntington University earned it the #4 place for film studies. Located in the town of Huntington, Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,870. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $26,996. Film Studies graduates of Huntington University earn a median of $49,079 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Huntington University admits about 76% of applicants.

5

Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Students looking for strong value in film studies will find it at Oakland Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #6 spot for film studies value this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $22,011 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

7

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for film studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $24,617. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $23,840. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.

9

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University placed #9 among the best values for film studies. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $25,899. Film Studies graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $25,256 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $15,854. Early-career film studies graduates make about $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

11

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for film studies value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

12

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for film studies value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $24,546. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

13

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $25,213. Early-career film studies graduates make about $54,166. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

14

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for film studies value this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $19,803. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

15

Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College came in at #15 for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,350. Students borrow a median of $20,928 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $15,906. That is a strong return on a $20,928 median debt. Calvin College admits about 71% of applicants.

16

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Columbia College Chicago placed #16 among the best values for film studies. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,088. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career film studies graduates make about $29,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.

17

Denison University
Granville, OH

Denison University came in at #17 for value in film studies this year. Located in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,000. Students borrow a median of $25,360 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of Denison University earn a median of $39,797 early in their careers. Set against $25,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.

18

Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College earned the #18 position for value in film studies this year. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,366 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $25,500. Film Studies graduates of Oberlin College earn a median of $23,519 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 34%.