by our College Data Analytics Team
[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Santa Monica College the best value for a degree in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant in the United States. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washtenaw Community College earned it the #2 place for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Typical student debt for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates is $17,616. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $45,332. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant will find it at Antelope Valley College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,124, with out-of-state students paying around $9,548. Students borrow a median of $10,729 to complete the photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant program here. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $50,744. Set against $10,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mercer County Community College earned it the #4 place for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. In-state tuition and fees average $5,310, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates is $12,250. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $45,389. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $23,532. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
Austin Community College District placed #6 among the best values for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. 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.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #7 spot for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. 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. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Sacramento City College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant program here. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $46,522. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
Pearl River Community College landed the #9 spot for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant value this year. Pearl River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Poplarville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,700, compared with $6,100 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates is $13,482. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $34,785. That is a strong return on a $13,482 median debt.
Foothill College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,565, compared with $12,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant program here. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,595 median debt.
Randolph Community College came in at #11 for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Set in the town of Asheboro, Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,416, compared with $8,176 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant degree recipients from Randolph Community College generally make around $32,198.
Miracosta College landed the #12 spot for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,750 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,845.
Spokane Falls Community College earned the #13 position for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Spokane. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,031 to complete the photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant program here. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates of Spokane Falls Community College earn a median of $34,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College landed the #14 spot for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant program here. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College landed the #15 spot for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverside City College earned the #16 position for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
San Diego City College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates is $9,514. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $26,218. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #18 for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $31,172 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hennepin Technical College landed the #19 spot for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant value this year. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates carry a median of $17,887 in student loans. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $52,059 early in their careers. Set against $17,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bossier Parish Community College landed the #20 spot for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant value this year. Set in the city of Bossier City, Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,268. Typical student debt for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates is $13,110. Soon after graduation, photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant degree recipients from Bossier Parish Community College generally make around $43,661. Set against $13,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Los Angeles College landed the #21 spot for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant value this year. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Typical student debt for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates is $8,180. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $33,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Philadelphia came in at #22 for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates is $16,059. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $37,988. That is a strong return on a $16,059 median debt.
Mediatech Institute Dallas placed #23 among the best values for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Mediatech Institute Dallas is a small private for-profit institution. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates of Mediatech Institute Dallas earn a median of $21,151 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Photographic & Film/Video Technology/Technician & Assistant rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.