2026 Best Value Film Studies Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Leading the list is Cuny Brooklyn College, our #1 best value for film studies in the United States. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $13,622. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $33,095. Set against $13,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

2

Cuny City College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #2 place for film studies. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $13,389. Early-career film studies graduates make about $26,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

3

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

A rank of #3 makes San Francisco State University one of the best values for film studies. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $17,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $18,654. That is a strong return on a $17,850 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.

4

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film studies, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. 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.

6

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

7

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University came in at #7 for value in film studies this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $60,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.

8

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #8 for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $31,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

9

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Wilmington, NC

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #9 for value in film studies this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $22,052. Early-career film studies graduates make about $22,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

10

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in film studies this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

11

Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University earned the #11 position for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $44,205. Set against $29,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.

12

Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University landed the #12 spot for film studies value this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.

13

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Columbia College Chicago ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,088 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $35,483. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

14

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University earned the #14 position for value in film studies this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

15

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California earned the #15 position for value in film studies this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Students borrow a median of $21,687 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $26,843 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.

16

Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL

Full Sail University came in at #16 for value in film studies this year. Set in the suburb of Winter Park, Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,906. Students borrow a median of $27,343 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of Full Sail University earn a median of $21,973 early in their careers. Set against $27,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

American University
Washington, DC

American University earned the #17 position for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $23,250. Early-career film studies graduates make about $51,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. American University admits about 62% of applicants.

18

Savannah College Of Art And Design
Savannah, GA

Savannah College Of Art And Design earned the #18 position for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,630. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $37,493. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Savannah College Of Art And Design admits about 83% of applicants.

19

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University placed #19 among the best values for film studies. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,867. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $27,650. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola Marymount University admits about 45% of applicants.

20

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University landed the #20 spot for film studies value this year. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,984. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $19,123. Early-career film studies graduates make about $28,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

21

New York Film Academy
Burbank, CA

New York Film Academy placed #21 among the best values for film studies. New York Film Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Burbank. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,122. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $15,090. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.

22

Howard University
Washington, DC

Howard University earned the #22 position for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,810. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Howard University generally make around $58,495. That is a strong return on a $25,498 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.

23

The New School
New York, NY

The New School placed #23 among the best values for film studies. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,730. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $25,829 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of The New School earn a median of $21,523 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

24

American Film Institute Conservatory
Los Angeles, CA

American Film Institute Conservatory came in at #24 for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, American Film Institute Conservatory is a small private not-for-profit university. Film Studies graduates of American Film Institute Conservatory earn a median of $20,358 early in their careers.