2026 Best Value Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western Region
[Film & Video Production](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/film-video-production/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 69 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for film & video production students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in film & video production, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Film & Video Production Schools
For return on investment in film & video production, no school beat California State University Dominguez Hills this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for film & video production graduates is $15,886. Film & Video Production graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film & video production, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for film & video production graduates is $9,776. Film & Video Production graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Monica College earned it the #3 place for film & video production. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chabot College earned it the #4 place for film & video production. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film & video production graduates is $14,122. Soon after graduation, film & video production degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in film & video production will find it at Orange Coast College, which ranked #5. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the film & video production program here. Film & Video Production graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #6 position for value in film & video production this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film & video production graduates is $14,692. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Cosumnes River College landed the #7 spot for film & video production value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the film & video production program here. Film & Video Production graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Diablo Valley College placed #8 among the best values for film & video production. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical student debt for film & video production graduates is $9,205. Film & Video Production graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value film & video production schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,696 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film & video production degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
West Los Angeles College placed #10 among the best values for film & video production. Located in the suburb of Culver City, West Los Angeles College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Film & Video Production graduates of West Los Angeles College earn a median of $65,978 early in their careers.
Los Angeles City College landed the #11 spot for film & video production value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film & video production graduates is $10,763. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $83,699. Set against $10,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Sacramento placed #12 among the best values for film & video production. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $16,205 in student loans. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $24,618. Set against $16,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Portland Community College landed the #13 spot for film & video production value this year. Portland Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,440. Students borrow a median of $20,648 to complete the film & video production program here. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $49,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Barbara City College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value film & video production schools. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,240 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete the film & video production program here. Film & Video Production graduates of Santa Barbara City College earn a median of $68,184 early in their careers. Set against $21,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Francisco State University earned the #15 position for value in film & video production this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $17,850 in student loans. Film & Video Production graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $18,654 early in their careers. Set against $17,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Los Angeles Valley College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value film & video production schools. Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public school located in the city of Valley Glen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Students borrow a median of $10,254 to complete the film & video production program here. Film & Video Production graduates of Los Angeles Valley College earn a median of $81,600 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,254 median debt.
University Of California Riverside earned the #17 position for value in film & video production this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film & video production degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $24,840. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
College Of The Desert ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value film & video production schools. Set in the city of Palm Desert, College Of The Desert is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,174. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $7,826 in student loans. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $41,295. Set against $7,826 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nevada State College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value film & video production schools. Located in the rural area of Henderson, Nevada State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,765, with out-of-state students paying around $21,833. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $25,892 in student loans. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $52,519. Set against $25,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nevada State College admits about 87% of applicants.
Humboldt State University came in at #20 for value in film & video production this year. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,397, while out-of-state students pay about $20,997. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $23,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film & video production degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $19,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Oregon University came in at #21 for value in film & video production this year. Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ashland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,762, while out-of-state students pay about $31,887. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $24,951 in student loans. Film & Video Production graduates of Southern Oregon University earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Set against $24,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Oregon University admits about 89% of applicants.
Mount St Marys College landed the #22 spot for film & video production value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,564. Typical student debt for film & video production graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, film & video production degree recipients from Mount St Marys College generally make around $25,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount St Marys College admits about 73% of applicants.
Biola University came in at #23 for value in film & video production this year. Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Mirada. In-state tuition and fees average $48,984. Students borrow a median of $25,308 to complete the film & video production program here. Soon after graduation, film & video production degree recipients from Biola University generally make around $45,003. Set against $25,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
California Lutheran University placed #24 among the best values for film & video production. Set in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,560. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $22,727 in student loans. Film & Video Production graduates of California Lutheran University earn a median of $53,271 early in their careers. Set against $22,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
George Fox University placed #25 among the best values for film & video production. Located in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,320. Students borrow a median of $23,625 to complete the film & video production program here. Soon after graduation, film & video production degree recipients from George Fox University generally make around $29,745. Set against $23,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Film & Video Production Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s film & video production value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
