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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southwest Region

17 Colleges in the United States
1,100 Film, Video & Photographic Arts Degrees Awarded
$37,547 Avg Early-Career Salary

Film, Video & Photographic Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 60 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for film, video & photographic arts students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Film, Video & Photographic Arts in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall film, video & photographic arts education in the Southwest Region.

Top Schools in Film, Video & Photographic Arts

1

Leading the list is Southern Methodist University, our #1 school for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 37 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $70,632 in their early career. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Southern Methodist University

2

Students looking for a strong film, video & photographic arts program will find one at University Of Arizona, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 80 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $26,054 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at University Of Arizona

3

Arizona State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in film, video & photographic arts, ranking #3. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 158 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Arizona State University earn around $31,148 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,534 to complete this degree. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Arizona State University

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus one of the top schools for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates 75% of students within six years. About 22 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $32,126 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

5

Baylor University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in film, video & photographic arts, ranking #5. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Baylor University awarded about 32 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $49,888 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,928. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for Baylor University

6

Arizona State University Skysong earned the #6 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Scottsdale. There were roughly 88 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $31,148 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,534 to complete this degree. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for Arizona State University Skysong

7

Scottsdale Community College earned the #7 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Scottsdale. Scottsdale Community College awarded about 71 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $48,039 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,084 to complete this degree. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Scottsdale Community College

8

Northern Arizona University placed #8 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 21 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $23,418 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Northern Arizona University

9

Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned the #9 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. Glendale Community College Glendale Az awarded about 16 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $51,483 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete this degree. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for Glendale Community College Glendale Az

10

University Of Houston earned the #10 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 12 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. University Of Houston graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at University Of Houston

11

Texas State University San Marcos landed the #11 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $33,610 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,864 to complete this degree. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Texas State University San Marcos

12

University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. University Of New Mexico Main Campus awarded about 103 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $49,983 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,851. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at University Of New Mexico Main Campus

13

Grand Canyon University earned the #13 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Grand Canyon University awarded about 79 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Grand Canyon University earn around $29,094 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,625. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Grand Canyon University

14

Oklahoma City Community College landed the #14 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City Community College awarded about 31 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $21,032. Students borrow a median of $9,043 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Oklahoma City Community College

15

New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #15 for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 39 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at New Mexico State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $25,344 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for New Mexico State University Main Campus

16

Pima Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 26 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Pima Community College in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. Pima Community College graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Pima Community College

17

Houston Community College landed the #17 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 40 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Houston Community College in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Houston Community College graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Houston Community College

18

Central New Mexico Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. About 112 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Central New Mexico Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $34,751 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,112. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for Central New Mexico Community College

19
Northwest Vista College crest
Northwest Vista College
San Antonio, TX

Northwest Vista College landed the #19 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public institution. About 42 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Northwest Vista College in the most recent year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Northwest Vista College earn around $29,349 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,189 to complete this degree. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Northwest Vista College

20

Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center placed #20 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. This small public university is located in the rural area of Choctaw. Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center awarded about 14 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center

21

Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts placed #21 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of Dallas, Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts is a small private for-profit institution. There were roughly 16 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts earn around $22,845 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,316 to complete this degree. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts

22

Moore Norman Technology Center ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. This small public university is located in the rural area of Norman. Moore Norman Technology Center awarded about 27 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Moore Norman Technology Center earn a median of $39,664 early in their careers. Moore Norman Technology Center graduates carry a median of $11,520 in student loans. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Moore Norman Technology Center

23

Southern Oklahoma Technology Center landed the #23 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the rural area of Ardmore, Southern Oklahoma Technology Center is a small public institution. There were roughly 20 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Southern Oklahoma Technology Center in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Southern Oklahoma Technology Center

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 60 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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