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Featured Film, Video & Photographic Arts Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
AA in Digital Photography
Take the first step toward a career of visual expression and doing what you love with this online associate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
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BA in Digital Photography
Learn to create a striking portfolio and hone the skills you need to succeed in the world of professional photography with this online digital photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
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2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the film, video & photographic arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools
For return on investment in film, video & photographic arts, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $7,134 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $24,869 early in their careers. Set against $7,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in film, video & photographic arts will find it at California State University Dominguez Hills, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in film, video & photographic arts will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $13,622. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $20,476. That is a strong return on a $13,622 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #4 place for film, video & photographic arts. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $13,389. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $26,918 early in their careers. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #5 place for film, video & photographic arts. 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. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
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Utah Valley University earned the #6 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $16,478. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $41,833 early in their careers. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Long Beach landed the #7 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $50,982. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Miami Dade College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $20,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State University earned the #9 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $20,476. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $31,689 early in their careers. Set against $20,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Sacramento earned the #10 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. 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, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $16,205. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $24,618 early in their careers. Set against $16,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $25,344. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Central Florida earned the #12 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $21,375. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $23,676 early in their careers. Set against $21,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #13 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $28,561. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #14 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $18,500. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $21,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
San Francisco State University landed the #15 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $17,850. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $18,654. Set against $17,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #16 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $28,608. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #17 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. 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 film, video & photographic arts graduates is $19,270. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $28,202 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine came in at #18 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $16,300. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $21,397. Set against $16,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Arizona State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $20,534 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $31,148. Set against $20,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $17,034 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $63,111. Set against $17,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #21 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $29,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of Winston Salem, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,477, with out-of-state students paying around $27,211. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $24,053. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 30% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University earned the #23 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts 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.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $19,760 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $25,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia earned the #25 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s film, video & photographic arts value ranking:
Other Film, Video & Photographic Arts Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Film, Video & Photographic Arts rankings across degree levels:
[Film, Video & Photographic Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/) 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.
