2026 Best Value Film Studies Schools in the New England Region
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for film studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Film Studies Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in film studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Film Studies Schools
University Of Massachusetts Amherst tops our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools in the New England Region. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $25,234. Film Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,234 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Vermont one of the best values for film studies. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $22,607 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $44,588 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,607 median debt. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Keene State College earned it the #3 place for film studies. Set in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,784, while out-of-state students pay about $26,840. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $27,261. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Middlebury College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Middlebury. Students from in state pay about $67,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,948 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Middlebury College generally make around $54,713. Set against $15,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middlebury College admits about 11% of applicants.
Smith College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. Students from in state pay about $65,178 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $18,941. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $40,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Yale University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $14,357. Early-career film studies graduates make about $74,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Wesleyan University landed the #7 spot for film studies value this year. Located in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,042 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. Set against $16,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Dartmouth College placed #8 among the best values for film studies. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $16,989. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $81,992. That is a strong return on a $16,989 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Hartford came in at #9 for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,075. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career film studies graduates make about $17,521. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Massachusetts came in at #10 for value in film studies this year. Located in the suburb of Norton, Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,960. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Wheaton College Massachusetts earn a median of $28,498 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wheaton College Massachusetts admits about 68% of applicants.
Champlain College placed #11 among the best values for film studies. Located in the city of Burlington, Champlain College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,850. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Champlain College generally make around $21,092. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Tufts University came in at #12 for value in film studies this year. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $56,418 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants.
Narrow Film Studies Schools by State
More Film Studies Rankings
View All Film Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
