2026 Best Value Film Studies Schools in Massachusetts
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value film studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Film Studies Schools in Massachusetts
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 earned the #1 spot for value among film studies schools in Massachusetts. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in film studies will find it at Smith College, which ranked #2. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. 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. That is a strong return on a $18,941 median debt. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Massachusetts came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the suburb of Norton, Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $63,960. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $28,498. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wheaton College Massachusetts admits about 68% of applicants.
Tufts University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $56,418. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. Roughly 12% 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
