by our College Data Analytics Team
[Photography](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/photography/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 46 schools to find the best return on investment for photography students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the photography degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Miami Dade College, our #1 best value for photography in the Southeast Region. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 $21,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Daytona State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in photography, landing the #2 spot this year. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,106, compared with $11,994 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the photography program here. 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.
Northern Virginia Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in photography, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,375 to complete the photography program here. Early-career photography graduates make about $23,676. That is a strong return on a $21,375 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middle Tennessee State University earned it the #5 place for photography. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $19,270. Early-career photography graduates make about $28,202. That is a strong return on a $19,270 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
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William T Mcfatter Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value photography schools. William T Mcfatter Technical College is a small public school located in the suburb of Davie. Photography graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $28,512. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #7 spot for photography value this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $26,000. Photography graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $23,109 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Freed Hardeman University came in at #8 for value in photography this year. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. In-state tuition and fees average $25,620. Photography graduates carry a median of $24,479 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $54,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
John Brown University landed the #9 spot for photography value this year. Set in the town of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,756. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $22,250. Photography graduates of John Brown University earn a median of $50,420 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Southern Adventist University placed #10 among the best values for photography. Located in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,300. Photography graduates carry a median of $25,498 in student loans. Photography graduates of Southern Adventist University earn a median of $61,366 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,498 median debt. Southern Adventist University admits about 66% of applicants.
Belmont University landed the #11 spot for photography value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,540. Photography graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career photography graduates make about $49,699. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Belmont University admits about 95% of applicants.
Savannah College Of Art And Design placed #12 among the best values for photography. Savannah College Of Art And Design is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Savannah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,630. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $27,000. Early-career photography graduates make about $30,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Savannah College Of Art And Design admits about 83% of applicants.
Ringling College Of Art And Design landed the #13 spot for photography value this year. Ringling College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sarasota. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Ringling College Of Art And Design generally make around $18,551. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ringling College Of Art And Design admits about 70% of applicants.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.