2026 Best Value Photography Schools in the Far Western Region

1

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

Our analysis ranked College Of The Canyons the best value for a degree in photography in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $9,776. Photography 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.

2

Citrus College
Glendora, CA

Students looking for strong value in photography will find it at Citrus College, which ranked #2. 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, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.

3

Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in photography, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $11,196. Early-career photography graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Victor Valley College earned it the #4 place for photography. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Photography graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Photography graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Chabot College
Hayward, CA

A rank of #5 makes Chabot College one of the best values for photography. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete the photography program here. Photography graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College placed #6 among the best values for photography. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Photography graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Photography graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Cypress College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value photography schools. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.

8

Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA

Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #8 spot for photography value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the photography program here. Photography graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Cosumnes River College
Sacramento, CA

Cosumnes River College earned the #9 position for value in photography this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. 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

Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value photography schools. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the photography program here. Early-career photography graduates make about $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

City College Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

City College Of San Francisco earned the #11 position for value in photography this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Photography graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento placed #12 among the best values for photography. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,205 to complete the photography program here. Photography graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $24,618 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,205 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

13

Modesto Junior College
Modesto, CA

Modesto Junior College placed #13 among the best values for photography. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #14 among the best values for photography. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.

15

Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA

Eastern Washington University earned the #15 position for value in photography this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $21,754. Photography graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $25,090 early in their careers. Set against $21,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

16

Cabrillo College
Aptos, CA

Cabrillo College placed #16 among the best values for photography. Located in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,270, compared with $9,862 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $10,425. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Cabrillo College generally make around $47,750. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Mount St Marys College
Los Angeles, CA

Mount St Marys College earned the #17 position for value in photography this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,564. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the photography program here. Photography graduates of Mount St Marys College earn a median of $58,110 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mount St Marys College admits about 73% of applicants.

18

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University came in at #18 for value in photography this year. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $41,228 in tuition and fees. Photography graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Photography graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $25,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Baptist University admits about 85% of applicants.

19

Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University landed the #19 spot for photography value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $56,721. Students borrow a median of $24,583 to complete the photography program here. Early-career photography graduates make about $30,256. That is a strong return on a $24,583 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

20

Academy Of Art University
San Francisco, CA

Academy Of Art University placed #20 among the best values for photography. 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 $34,571. Early-career photography graduates make about $31,814. That is a strong return on a $34,571 median debt.

21

California College Of The Arts
San Francisco, CA

California College Of The Arts ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value photography schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, California College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $60,226 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,594 to complete the photography program here. Photography graduates of California College Of The Arts earn a median of $52,838 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California College Of The Arts admits about 91% of applicants.

22

New York Film Academy
Burbank, CA

New York Film Academy landed the #22 spot for photography value this year. New York Film Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Burbank. Students from in state pay about $37,122 in tuition and fees. Photography graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from New York Film Academy generally make around $16,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

California Institute Of The Arts
Valencia, CA

California Institute Of The Arts landed the #23 spot for photography value this year. California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valencia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,996. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $27,000. Early-career photography graduates make about $24,545. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 32% of applicants are accepted.

24

Art Center College Of Design
Pasadena, CA

Art Center College Of Design earned the #24 position for value in photography this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $54,170. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the photography program here. Early-career photography graduates make about $22,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.