2026 Best Value Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

For return on investment in photography, no school beat Cuny Queens College this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $12,157. Photography graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,847 early in their careers. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

2

Miami Dade College
Miami, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Miami Dade College earned it the #2 place for photography. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Photography graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Photography graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $20,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

A rank of #3 makes California State University Sacramento one of the best values for photography. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Photography graduates carry a median of $16,205 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $24,618. That is a strong return on a $16,205 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

4

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

Students looking for strong value in photography will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #4. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $21,375. Photography graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $23,676 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,375 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

A rank of #5 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for photography. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the photography program here. Photography graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

6

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University placed #6 among the best values for photography. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $19,270. Photography graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $28,202 early in their careers. Set against $19,270 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.

7

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University placed #7 among the best values for photography. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Photography graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Photography graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.

8

Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA

Eastern Washington University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value photography schools. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $21,754. Early-career photography graduates make about $47,144. Set against $21,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

9

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo earned the #9 position for value in photography this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Photography graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Photography graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $25,506 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston earned the #10 position for value in photography this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $21,255. Photography graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

11

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University earned the #11 position for value in photography this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Photography graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $23,418. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

12

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value photography schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $27,000. Early-career photography graduates make about $22,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

13

University Of Sacred Heart
Santurce, PR

University Of Sacred Heart came in at #13 for value in photography this year. Located in the city of Santurce, University Of Sacred Heart is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $14,493. Early-career photography graduates make about $24,742. That is a strong return on a $14,493 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

14

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos landed the #14 spot for photography value this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Photography graduates carry a median of $26,864 in student loans. Photography graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $33,610 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,864 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

15

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University came in at #15 for value in photography this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Photography graduates carry a median of $25,899 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $25,256. That is a strong return on a $25,899 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

16

Dixie State College Of Utah
Saint George, UT

Dixie State College Of Utah earned the #16 position for value in photography this year. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $18,246. Photography graduates carry a median of $18,666 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $42,266. Set against $18,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University placed #17 among the best values for photography. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Photography graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $23,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.

18

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in photography this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $24,546. Photography graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

19

Freed Hardeman University
Henderson, TN

Freed Hardeman University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value photography schools. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,620. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $24,479. Photography graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Freed Hardeman University admits about 60% of applicants.

20

Suny At Purchase College
Purchase, NY

Suny At Purchase College earned the #20 position for value in photography this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,016, with out-of-state students paying around $19,266. Photography graduates carry a median of $26,949 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $18,128. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Purchase College admits about 74% of applicants.

21

Atlantic College
Guaynabo, PR

Atlantic College landed the #21 spot for photography value this year. Set in the city of Guaynabo, Atlantic College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,280. Students borrow a median of $5,286 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Atlantic College generally make around $19,576. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis earned the #22 position for value in photography this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.

23

Fashion Institute Of Technology
New York, NY

Fashion Institute Of Technology placed #23 among the best values for photography. Set in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,174, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Photography graduates carry a median of $17,912 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $29,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fashion Institute Of Technology admits about 60% of applicants.

24

Husson University
Bangor, ME

Husson University earned the #24 position for value in photography this year. Set in the city of Bangor, Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,304. Students borrow a median of $27,735 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Husson University generally make around $52,868. Set against $27,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.

25

John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR

John Brown University earned the #25 position for value in photography this year. Located in the town of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,756 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from John Brown University generally make around $50,420. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. John Brown University admits about 76% of applicants.