2026 Best Value Film Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Film Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/film-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong film studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value film studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Film Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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
University Of Utah earned the #1 spot for value among film studies schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $24,063 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $28,138. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Idaho earned it the #2 place for film studies. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Students borrow a median of $23,844 to complete the film studies program here. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $43,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Brigham Young University Provo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $12,000. Film Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $25,506 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Boise State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Film Studies graduates carry a median of $24,311 in student loans. Early-career film studies graduates make about $49,059. That is a strong return on a $24,311 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in film studies will find it at University Of Colorado Boulder, which ranked #5. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $20,000. Early-career film studies graduates make about $22,601. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado College placed #6 among the best values for film studies. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,734. Typical student debt for film studies graduates is $17,921. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Colorado College generally make around $37,342. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. Colorado College admits about 18% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
