2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Virginia
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools.
What’s on this page:
ADVERTISEMENTS
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.
Learn More
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.
Learn More
2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Virginia
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
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #1 spot for value among film, video & photographic arts schools in Virginia. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.
George Mason University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #2 spot this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $23,989 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in film, video & photographic arts will find it at Virginia Commonwealth University, which ranked #3. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $26,000. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $23,109 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in film, video & photographic arts will find it at Regent University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Regent University earn a median of $44,205 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in film, video & photographic arts will find it at Liberty University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $20,512. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
More Film, Video & Photographic Arts Rankings
View All Film, Video & Photographic Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
