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2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

137 Ranked Colleges
7,768 Degrees Awarded
$7,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

Film & Video Production is the 117th most popular major in the country with 7,768 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

This year’s “Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 137 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in film and video production. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great film and video production programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the film and video production program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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The cinematography school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Film & Video Production (Income $30-$48k)

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Columbia University in the City of New York. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in New York, New York, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 48 diplomas to qualified ’s cinematography students in 2020-2021.

Columbia also made our “Best Film & Video Production Schools” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $4,699 for cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Columbia University in the City of New York.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at Columbia

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington University in St Louis. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. Washington University in St Louis is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s cinematography degrees to qualified students.

WUSTL also made our “Best Film & Video Production Schools” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for WUSTL is $2,446 for cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full WUSTL Film & Video Production Report

3
Brooklyn College crest
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, New York

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brooklyn College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Brooklyn College is a fairly large school located in Brooklyn, New York that handed out 113 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Brooklyn College is $3,105 for Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film & Video Production at Brooklyn College

4
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Out of the 137 schools in the Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s cinematography degrees to 52 students in 2020-2021.

Florida State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools” list. It costs about $7,349 for cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Florida State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at Florida State

5
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Valencia College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Valencia College is a large school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 102 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Valencia College is $5,637 for Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at Valencia College

6

University of California - Riverside landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s cinematography degrees to 91 students in 2020-2021.

UCR also made our “Best Film & Video Production Schools” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Riverside is $8,193 for Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at UCR

7

With a ranking of #7, The City College of New York did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. CCNY is a public institution located in New York, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,035 for Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CCNY.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film & Video Production at CCNY

8

University of Central Florida landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UCF is a large school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 139 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UCF is $6,256 for cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Film & Video Production at UCF

9

University of North Carolina School of the Arts came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNCSA is a public institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 88 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, UNCSA also did well on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNCSA is $6,948 for Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at UNCSA

10
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #10, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 216 diplomas to qualified ’s cinematography students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USC is $17,345 for cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Full USC Film & Video Production Report

11

Fashion Institute of Technology came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in New York, New York, this medium-sized public school awarded 19 diplomas to qualified ’s cinematography students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FIT SUNY, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Fashion Institute of Technology is $9,838 for Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Film & Video Production at Fashion Institute of Technology

12
MDC crest
Miami Dade College
Miami, Florida

Miami Dade College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Miami Dade College is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 147 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend MDC is $5,370 for cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Film & Video Production at Miami Dade College

13

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. California State University - Sacramento is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 53 ’s cinematography degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $9,055 for cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Sac State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Sacramento Film & Video Production Report

14
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Oakland University is a fairly large school located in Rochester Hills, Michigan that handed out 13 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Oakland is $8,839 for Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at Oakland

15
University of Arizona crest
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Arizona is located in Tucson, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2 ’s cinematography degrees to qualified students.

University of Arizona also took the #23 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Arizona is $10,160 for cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full University of Arizona Film & Video Production Report

16
Scottsdale Community College crest
Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Scottsdale Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Scottsdale, Arizona. It awarded 72 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Scottsdale Community College is $15,681 for Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Film & Video Production at Scottsdale Community College

17
Pima County Community College District crest
Pima Community College
Tucson, Arizona

Pima Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Pima Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Tucson, Arizona. It awarded 21 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Pima County Community College District is $3,852 for Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at Pima County Community College District

18

Central New Mexico Community College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Albuquerque, New Mexico is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s cinematography degrees to 50 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CNM is $3,059 for Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at Central New Mexico Community College

19
OCCC crest
Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, this fairly large public school awarded 23 diplomas to qualified ’s cinematography students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Oklahoma City Community College is $5,228 for Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Film & Video Production at Oklahoma City Community College

20
CWU crest
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, Washington

Central Washington University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. CWU is a fairly large school located in Ellensburg, Washington that handed out 22 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,706 for cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CWU.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at CWU

21

Cuyahoga Community College District did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. Cuyahoga Community College District is a fairly large public school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 14 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cuyahoga Community College District is $4,171 for Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at Cuyahoga Community College District

22

Community College of Aurora ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Community College of Aurora is a medium-sized school located in Aurora, Colorado that handed out 53 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,207 for Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Community College of Aurora.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at CCA

23

Utah Valley University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Orem, Utah, this large public school handed out 57 diplomas to qualified ’s cinematography students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,992 for Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UVU.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film & Video Production at Utah Valley University

24
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Century College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. White Bear Lake, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s cinematography degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Century College is $8,628 for cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at Century College

25

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2 ’s cinematography degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $11,351 for Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Film & Video Production at University of Illinois at Chicago

Notes and References

References

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