2026 Best Value Film Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the film studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Film Studies Schools
California State University Dominguez Hills tops our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #2 place for film studies. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in film studies will find it at Santa Monica College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Citrus College earned it the #4 place for film studies. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Rosa Junior College earned it the #5 place for film studies. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
California State University Long Beach placed #6 among the best values for film studies. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Cosumnes River College landed the #7 spot for film studies value this year. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $5,500. Early-career film studies graduates make about $19,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City College Of San Francisco placed #8 among the best values for film studies. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,696, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $100,031. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
University Of California Irvine ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $16,300. Early-career film studies graduates make about $21,397. That is a strong return on a $16,300 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #10 for value in film studies this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $18,500. Early-career film studies graduates make about $21,491. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
San Francisco State University came in at #11 for value in film studies this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $17,850. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $18,654. That is a strong return on a $17,850 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Barbara City College landed the #12 spot for film studies value this year. Located in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,240 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $21,090. Film Studies graduates of Santa Barbara City College earn a median of $68,184 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,090 median debt.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #13 spot for film studies value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $16,481. Early-career film studies graduates make about $28,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Los Angeles Valley College came in at #14 for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $10,254. Early-career film studies graduates make about $81,600. Set against $10,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Washington University came in at #15 for value in film studies this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,754 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $25,090 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,754 median debt. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Portland State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $25,000. Film Studies graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $27,028 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #17 among the best values for film studies. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $15,000. Film Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $28,608 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%.
University Of California Riverside earned the #18 position for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $24,840. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #19 among the best values for film studies. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $34,825. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $15,693. Film Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $29,011 early in their careers. Set against $15,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Central Washington University landed the #21 spot for film studies value this year. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $23,126. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of California Davis ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $18,000. Film Studies graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $19,258 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Oregon landed the #23 spot for film studies value this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $20,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
California Baptist University earned the #24 position for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,228 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $25,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
George Fox University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value film studies schools. George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Newberg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,320. Students borrow a median of $23,625 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of George Fox University earn a median of $52,898 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Film Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in film studies:
Narrow Film Studies Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
[Film Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/film-studies/) 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.
