2027 Best Value Commercial Photography Schools
[Commercial Photography](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/commercial-photography/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong commercial photography education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 55 schools to find the best return on investment for commercial photography students.
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Finding the Best Value Commercial Photography School for You
Where you study commercial photography affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Commercial Photography Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Commercial Photography Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
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2027 Best Value Commercial Photography Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in commercial photography, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Commercial Photography Schools
For return on investment in commercial photography, no school beat Southern Regional Technical College this year. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the commercial photography program here. Early-career commercial photography graduates make about $44,007. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Metropolitan Community College Area one of the best values for commercial photography. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for commercial photography graduates is $12,526. Early-career commercial photography graduates make about $29,902. Set against $12,526 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in commercial photography will find it at Cuyahoga Community College District, which ranked #3. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $11,795 in student loans. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $22,517. Set against $11,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlanta Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in commercial photography, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,382, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $17,655 in student loans. Commercial Photography graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $35,441 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,655 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes North Georgia Technical College one of the best values for commercial photography. Located in the rural area of Clarkesville, North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,330 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,898. Typical student debt for commercial photography graduates is $12,279. Commercial Photography graduates of North Georgia Technical College earn a median of $34,133 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Springfield Technical Community College came in at #6 for value in commercial photography this year. Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $5,904 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $9,707 in student loans. Early-career commercial photography graduates make about $42,457. Set against $9,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value commercial photography schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for commercial photography graduates is $19,939. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $40,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #8 for value in commercial photography this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the commercial photography program here. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $13,554. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage landed the #9 spot for commercial photography value this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $11,077 to complete the commercial photography program here. Commercial Photography graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pikes Peak Community College placed #10 among the best values for commercial photography. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,510, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $16,066 in student loans. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $41,037. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Albany Technical College landed the #11 spot for commercial photography value this year. Set in the city of Albany, Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,932. Typical student debt for commercial photography graduates is $16,321. Commercial Photography graduates of Albany Technical College earn a median of $35,895 early in their careers. Set against $16,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #12 position for value in commercial photography this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for commercial photography graduates is $9,384. Commercial Photography 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.
Bucks County Community College came in at #13 for value in commercial photography this year. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Typical student debt for commercial photography graduates is $13,068. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Nevada came in at #14 for value in commercial photography this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Commercial Photography graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson Community And Technical College came in at #15 for value in commercial photography this year. Located in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,808, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Typical student debt for commercial photography graduates is $13,917. Early-career commercial photography graduates make about $44,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spokane Falls Community College came in at #16 for value in commercial photography this year. Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Spokane. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $14,657 to complete the commercial photography program here. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Spokane Falls Community College generally make around $21,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State Community College placed #17 among the best values for commercial photography. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Lanier Technical College placed #18 among the best values for commercial photography. Located in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,980, while out-of-state students pay about $7,190. Typical student debt for commercial photography graduates is $12,278. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Lanier Technical College generally make around $37,118. That is a strong return on a $12,278 median debt.
Collin County Community College District ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value commercial photography schools. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $6,900 in student loans. Commercial Photography graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $33,456 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt Hood Community College came in at #20 for value in commercial photography this year. Mt Hood Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Gresham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, compared with $9,819 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for commercial photography graduates is $18,767. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Mt Hood Community College generally make around $53,948. That is a strong return on a $18,767 median debt.
Seattle Community College Central Campus earned the #21 position for value in commercial photography this year. Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,238, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Typical student debt for commercial photography graduates is $14,085. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Seattle Community College Central Campus generally make around $53,048. Set against $14,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Technology Center landed the #22 spot for commercial photography value this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. Typical student debt for commercial photography graduates is $11,384. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Tulsa Technology Center generally make around $32,406. Set against $11,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery College earned the #23 position for value in commercial photography this year. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. Commercial Photography graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $24,833 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value commercial photography schools. 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. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Commercial Photography graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mohawk Valley Community College came in at #25 for value in commercial photography this year. Set in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,218, compared with $8,851 for out-of-state students. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $9,534 in student loans. Early-career commercial photography graduates make about $21,012. Set against $9,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Commercial Photography Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in commercial photography:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 55 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.
