2026 Best Value Photography Associate’s Degree Schools

1

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons tops our 2026 list of the best value photography schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.

2

Citrus College
Glendora, CA

Citrus College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in photography, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.

3

Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY

Suffolk County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in photography, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $11,246. Early-career photography graduates make about $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.

4

Cuny Queensborough Community College
Bayside, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queensborough Community College earned it the #4 place for photography. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the photography program here. Early-career photography graduates make about $23,674. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Orange Coast College earned it the #5 place for photography. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $8,978. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA

Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value photography schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Photography graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Photography graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Miami Dade College
Miami, FL

Miami Dade College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value photography schools. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $6,500. Early-career photography graduates make about $22,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Cypress College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value photography schools. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.

9

Cosumnes River College
Sacramento, CA

Cosumnes River College placed #9 among the best values for photography. Set in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public institution. 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 photography program here. Photography graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College placed #10 among the best values for photography. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO

Colorado Mountain College landed the #11 spot for photography value this year. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,953 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College generally make around $48,694. That is a strong return on a $12,953 median debt.

12

City College Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

City College Of San Francisco placed #12 among the best values for photography. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Photography graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Photography graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA

Northern Virginia Community College earned the #13 position for value in photography this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $14,413. Early-career photography graduates make about $40,126. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.

14

Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona State College came in at #14 for value in photography this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,106, with out-of-state students paying around $11,994. Photography graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Daytona State College generally make around $43,320. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Delaware Technical Community College Terry
Dover, DE

Delaware Technical Community College Terry landed the #15 spot for photography value this year. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,763. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $11,154. Early-career photography graduates make about $43,322. Set against $11,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Modesto Junior College
Modesto, CA

Modesto Junior College earned the #16 position for value in photography this year. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the photography program here. Photography graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.

17

Mott Community College
Flint, MI

Mott Community College earned the #17 position for value in photography this year. Set in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,845, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $20,645. Early-career photography graduates make about $37,989. That is a strong return on a $20,645 median debt.

18

Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Glendale, AZ

Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value photography schools. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $15,996. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Cabrillo College
Aptos, CA

Cabrillo College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value photography schools. Set in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,270, compared with $9,862 for out-of-state students. Photography graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Photography graduates of Cabrillo College earn a median of $47,750 early in their careers. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television
Bayamon, PR

Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television placed #20 among the best values for photography. Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Bayamon. In-state tuition and fees average $7,796. Photography graduates of Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television earn a median of $7,907 early in their careers.

21

Fashion Institute Of Technology
New York, NY

Fashion Institute Of Technology landed the #21 spot for photography value this year. Located in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,174, compared with $22,696 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $17,912. Photography graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $29,250 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fashion Institute Of Technology admits about 60% of applicants.

22

Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH

Southern New Hampshire University landed the #22 spot for photography value this year. Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manchester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,200. Students borrow a median of $18,875 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Southern New Hampshire University generally make around $27,990. That is a strong return on a $18,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.

23

Academy Of Art University
San Francisco, CA

Academy Of Art University came in at #23 for value in photography this year. Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,736. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $32,641. Early-career photography graduates make about $30,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.