2026 Best Value Photographic & Film/Video Technology/Technician & Assistant Schools
[Photographic & Film/Video Technology/Technician & Assistant](/majors/communications-tech-support/audiovisual-communications/photographic-and-film-video-technology-technician-and-assistant/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 119 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant students.
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Finding the Best Value Photographic & Film/Video Technology/Technician & Assistant School for You
The photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Photographic & Film/Video Technology/Technician & Assistant Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Photographic & Film/Video Technology/Technician & Assistant Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2026 Best Value Photographic & Film/Video Technology/Technician & Assistant Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Photographic & Film/Video Technology/Technician & Assistant Schools
For return on investment in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant, no school beat Moorpark College this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Mt San Antonio College one of the best values for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates is $9,384. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fresno City College earned it the #3 place for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Pasadena City College one of the best values for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Southern Regional Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant schools. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates is $9,086. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $44,007 early in their careers. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #7 for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant program here. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College came in at #8 for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $37,102. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
Hinds Community College came in at #9 for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates carry a median of $16,385 in student loans. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $34,003. That is a strong return on a $16,385 median debt.
Las Positas College placed #10 among the best values for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,168, while out-of-state students pay about $9,808. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,088.
Sacramento City College landed the #11 spot for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant value this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates is $13,180. Soon after graduation, photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College placed #12 among the best values for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant program here. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $44,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chabot College came in at #13 for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College earned the #14 position for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. 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. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Columbia State Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant schools. Set in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,948, with out-of-state students paying around $17,772. Students borrow a median of $12,674 to complete the photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant program here. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $44,481. Set against $12,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sierra College landed the #16 spot for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant program here. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College placed #17 among the best values for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant program here. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Crescent Technical College came in at #18 for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Located in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,516, compared with $6,084 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,619 to complete the photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant program here. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $45,062. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.
Allan Hancock College earned the #19 position for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #20 for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates is $14,692. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Bakersfield College came in at #21 for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,430, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates is $9,419. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pellissippi State Community College earned the #22 position for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,770. Students borrow a median of $8,951 to complete the photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant program here. Soon after graduation, photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College generally make around $43,816. Set against $8,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College earned the #23 position for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. In-state tuition and fees average $1,184, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant program here. Soon after graduation, photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District earned the #24 position for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant program here. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
South Plains College earned the #25 position for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Photographic & Film/Video Technology/Technician & Assistant Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 119 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
