2027 Best Value Film Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for film studies students.
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2027 Best Value Film Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in film studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Film Studies Schools
Leading the list is University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, our #1 best value for film studies in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,760 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $25,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,760 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for film studies. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $17,034 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Wisconsin Whitewater one of the best values for film studies. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Students borrow a median of $25,306 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $45,767 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakland University earned it the #4 place for film studies. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career film studies graduates make about $22,011. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Chicago earned it the #5 place for film studies. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Oakland Community College placed #6 among the best values for film studies. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $43,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne State University placed #7 among the best values for film studies. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $55,469. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #8 among the best values for film studies. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $23,840 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $58,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University earned the #10 position for value in film studies this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $25,899 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $25,256 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,899 median debt. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #11 for value in film studies this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $24,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value film studies schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the film studies program here. Film Studies graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $54,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in film studies this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Calvin College placed #14 among the best values for film studies. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,350 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $20,928. Film Studies graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $15,906 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in film studies this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $26,000. Film Studies graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $19,803 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for film studies. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Film Studies graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Columbia College Chicago earned the #17 position for value in film studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,088. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $29,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Kenyon College landed the #18 spot for film studies value this year. Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Gambier. In-state tuition and fees average $71,520. Students borrow a median of $18,114 to complete the film studies program here. Early-career film studies graduates make about $37,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Oberlin College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value film studies schools. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,366 in tuition and fees. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $23,519. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 34%.
Denison University earned the #20 position for value in film studies this year. Set in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,000. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $25,360. Early-career film studies graduates make about $39,797. Set against $25,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
