2027 Best Value Commercial Photography Associate’s Degree 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 41 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value commercial photography schools.
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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
Leading the list is Metropolitan Community College Area, our #1 best value for commercial photography in the United States. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $12,526 in student loans. Commercial Photography graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $29,902 early in their careers. Set against $12,526 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuyahoga Community College District earned it the #2 place for commercial photography. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $11,795 in student loans. Commercial Photography graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $22,517 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Atlanta Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in commercial photography, landing the #3 spot this year. Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,382, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $17,655 in student loans. Early-career commercial photography graduates make about $35,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Springfield Technical Community College one of the best values for commercial photography. Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,904, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Students borrow a median of $9,707 to complete the commercial photography program here. Early-career commercial photography graduates make about $42,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value commercial photography schools. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $10,653 in student loans. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. That is a strong return on a $10,653 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value commercial photography schools. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Austin Community College District landed the #7 spot for commercial photography value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $19,939 in student loans. 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.
Pikes Peak Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value commercial photography schools. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,510, with out-of-state students paying around $17,110. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $16,066 in student loans. Early-career commercial photography graduates make about $41,037. Set against $16,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #9 for value in commercial photography this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bucks County Community College earned the #10 position for value in commercial photography this year. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. 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. Commercial Photography graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $37,711 early in their careers. Set against $13,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Nevada ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value commercial photography schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,358, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson Community And Technical College earned the #12 position for value in commercial photography this year. Located in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,808, with out-of-state students paying around $6,512. Students borrow a median of $13,917 to complete the commercial photography program here. Early-career commercial photography graduates make about $44,346. Set against $13,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Falls Community College landed the #13 spot for commercial photography value this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $14,657 in student loans. Commercial Photography graduates of Spokane Falls Community College earn a median of $21,508 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Collin County Community College District came in at #14 for value in commercial photography this year. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $6,900 in student loans. Early-career commercial photography graduates make about $33,456. That is a strong return on a $6,900 median debt.
Lanier Technical College landed the #15 spot for commercial photography value this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,980 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,190. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $12,278 in student loans. 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.
Mt Hood Community College placed #16 among the best values for commercial photography. Mt Hood Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Gresham. In-state tuition and fees average $5,247, compared with $9,819 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for commercial photography graduates is $18,767. Early-career commercial photography graduates make about $53,948. Set against $18,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seattle Community College Central Campus landed the #17 spot for commercial photography value 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. Students borrow a median of $14,085 to complete the commercial photography program here. Commercial Photography graduates of Seattle Community College Central Campus earn a median of $53,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,085 median debt.
Columbus State Community College earned the #18 position for value in commercial photography this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Montgomery College came in at #19 for value in commercial photography this year. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College landed the #20 spot for commercial photography value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career commercial photography graduates make about $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mohawk Valley Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value commercial photography schools. Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Utica. Students from in state pay about $6,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $9,534 in student loans. Commercial Photography graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $21,012 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,534 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College placed #22 among the best values for commercial photography. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Students borrow a median of $18,296 to complete the commercial photography program here. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $27,795. That is a strong return on a $18,296 median debt.
Red Rocks Community College came in at #23 for value in commercial photography this year. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, compared with $17,459 for out-of-state students. Commercial Photography graduates carry a median of $14,471 in student loans. Early-career commercial photography graduates make about $76,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harford Community College landed the #24 spot for commercial photography value this year. Set in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, compared with $8,832 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,624 to complete the commercial photography program here. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Harford Community College generally make around $50,636. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salt Lake Community College placed #25 among the best values for commercial photography. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Students borrow a median of $10,766 to complete the commercial photography program here. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $34,227. That is a strong return on a $10,766 median debt.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Commercial Photography Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s commercial photography value ranking:
Other Commercial Photography Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Commercial Photography rankings across degree levels:
View All Commercial Photography Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
