2026 Best Value Film Studies Schools in Michigan

[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value film studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Film Studies Schools in Michigan
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Ann Arbor the best value for a degree in film studies in Michigan. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,760 to complete the film studies program here. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakland Community College earned it the #2 place for film studies. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $15,865. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Oakland University one of the best values for film studies. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career film studies graduates make about $22,011. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in film studies will find it at Grand Valley State University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Students borrow a median of $25,899 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $25,256. Set against $25,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Michigan State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $54,166. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Calvin College came in at #6 for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Set against $20,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.