2026 Best Value Photographic & Film/Video Technology/Technician & Assistant Associate’s Degree Schools
[Photographic & Film/Video Technology/Technician & Assistant](/majors/communications-tech-support/audiovisual-communications/photographic-and-film-video-technology-technician-and-assistant/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 119 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant schools.
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2026 Best Value Photographic & Film/Video Technology/Technician & Assistant Schools in the United States
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.
Best Value Photographic & Film/Video Technology/Technician & Assistant Schools
Mt San Antonio College earned the #1 spot for value among photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant program here. 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.
Fresno City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates is $7,234. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Santa Monica College one of the best values for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Students looking for strong value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant will find it at Washtenaw Community College, which ranked #4. 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. Soon after graduation, photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant will find it at Riverside City College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. 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.
Sacramento City College earned the #6 position for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City 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. 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. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
Orange Coast College earned the #7 position for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. 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. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
Austin Community College District landed the #9 spot for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant value this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
South Plains College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant schools. Located in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,733, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant program here. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $30,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salt Lake Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $31,172. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District landed the #12 spot for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,728. Typical student debt for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates is $8,770. Soon after graduation, photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant degree recipients from Mt San Jacinto Community College District generally make around $37,488. Set against $8,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Foothill College earned the #13 position for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Falls Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant schools. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. 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.
Randolph Community College earned the #15 position for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Located in the town of Asheboro, Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,416 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,176 for out-of-state students. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $32,198.
Fullerton College landed the #16 spot for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant value this year. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
Antelope Valley College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant schools. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,548. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates carry a median of $10,729 in student loans. 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.
Bossier Parish Community College placed #18 among the best values for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant. Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bossier City. Students from in state pay about $4,268 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates is $13,110. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $43,661. Set against $13,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,940. Typical student debt for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates is $17,887. 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.
Southwestern College Chula Vista landed the #20 spot for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant value this year. Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public school located in the city of Chula Vista. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,344, compared with $10,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates is $11,205. Early-career photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates make about $49,358. That is a strong return on a $11,205 median debt.
Mediatech Institute Houston came in at #21 for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Mediatech Institute Houston is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Typical student debt for photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant degree recipients from Mediatech Institute Houston generally make around $21,151. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mediatech Institute Dallas came in at #22 for value in photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Mediatech Institute Dallas is a small private for-profit university. Photographic & Film/video Technology/technician & Assistant graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photographic & film/video technology/technician & assistant degree recipients from Mediatech Institute Dallas generally make around $21,151. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
Other Photographic & Film/Video Technology/Technician & Assistant Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Photographic & Film/Video Technology/Technician & Assistant rankings across degree levels:
View All Photographic & Film/Video Technology/Technician & Assistant Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 5 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.
