2026 Best Value Film Studies Schools in New York
[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 26 schools to find the best return on investment for film studies students.
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2026 Best Value Film Studies Schools in New York
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
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for film studies in New York. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $7,134 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $24,869 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,134 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $13,622. Early-career film studies graduates make about $26,786. That is a strong return on a $13,622 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in film studies will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $26,918. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #4 place for film studies. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $12,157. Early-career film studies graduates make about $41,847. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in film studies will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $11,246. Film Studies graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stony Brook University came in at #6 for value in film studies this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $60,047. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Purchase College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,016, with out-of-state students paying around $19,266. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $26,949 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $18,128. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #8 among the best values for film studies. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $23,258. Early-career film studies graduates make about $31,087. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
University At Buffalo earned the #9 position for value in film studies this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $24,509 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $26,630. That is a strong return on a $24,509 median debt. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Fashion Institute Of Technology ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,174, compared with $22,696 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,912 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $29,250. Set against $17,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Colgate University placed #11 among the best values for film studies. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,306. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $16,286 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Colgate University generally make around $52,924. That is a strong return on a $16,286 median debt. Colgate University admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of Rochester landed the #12 spot for film studies value this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Pace University New York landed the #13 spot for film studies value this year. Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,510. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $25,238 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Pace University New York generally make around $20,775. Set against $25,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Ithaca College placed #14 among the best values for film studies. Set in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,616 in tuition and fees. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Ithaca College generally make around $38,328. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Vassar College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,030. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $17,993 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Vassar College earn a median of $28,028 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,993 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Barnard College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,888. Students borrow a median of $17,609 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of Barnard College earn a median of $50,790 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,609 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts came in at #17 for value in film studies this year. New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts is a small private for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $38,550 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts earn a median of $15,997 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Fordham University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,470. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career film studies graduates make about $36,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
The New School landed the #19 spot for film studies value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,829 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $21,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% 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 · 26 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.
