2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k
23
Ranked Colleges
2,038
Degrees Awarded
$27,400
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 7,768 people earned their degree in film and video production, making the major the 117th most popular in the United States.
Across the Far Western US region, there were 2,038 film and video production graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 23 colleges that offer a degree 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Film & Video Production Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 23 Best Value Colleges for Film & Video Production (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region
Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Riverside landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 91 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.
UCR also took the #5 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCR is $8,193 for Far Western US Region Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Full UCR Film & Video Production Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Southern California. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s cinematography degrees to 216 students in 2020-2021.
USC also made our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern California is $17,345 for far western us region cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.
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. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Read more about Film & Video Production at University of Southern California
Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Sacramento landed the #3 spot on the list. California State University - Sacramento is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 53 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $9,055 for Far Western US Region Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Sac State
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central Washington University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Ellensburg, Washington, and it awarded 22 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k list, CWU has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Central Washington University is $12,706 for Far Western US Region Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Film & Video Production at Central Washington University
Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, San Francisco State University landed the #5 spot on the list. San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s cinematography degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SFSU is $11,862 for far western us region cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Film & Video Production at San Francisco State University
Humboldt State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Arcata, California. It awarded 21 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.
Humboldt State University also took the #20 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $12,298 for far western us region cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Humboldt State University.
Full Humboldt State University Film & Video Production Report
With a ranking of #7, Woodbury University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Burbank, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 17 diplomas to qualified ’s cinematography students in 2020-2021.
Woodbury did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Woodbury University is $25,699 for Far Western US Region Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full Woodbury Film & Video Production Report
California Lutheran University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Thousand Oaks, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k list, CLU has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CLU is $20,772 for Far Western US Region Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full CLU Film & Video Production Report
George Fox University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. GFU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Newberg, Oregon. It awarded 14 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.
GFU also made our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $22,556 for Far Western US Region Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend George Fox University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Film & Video Production at GFU
Mount Saint Mary’s University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Mount Saint Mary’s University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 21 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.
MSMU also made our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend MSMU is $28,838 for Far Western US Region Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read full report on Film & Video Production at MSMU
Chapman University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Chapman University is a medium-sized school located in Orange, California that handed out 166 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chapman, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Chapman is $32,071 for Far Western US Region Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Full Chapman Film & Video Production Report
Biola University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Biola University is located in La Mirada, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 56 ’s cinematography degrees to qualified students.
Biola also took the #15 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Biola is $26,419 for far western us region cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 full report on Film & Video Production at Biola
Loyola Marymount University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Loyola Marymount is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 99 ’s cinematography degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our far western us region cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k list, Loyola Marymount has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Loyola Marymount University is $31,985 for far western us region cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 Loyola Marymount University
Academy of Art University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in San Francisco, California, this medium-sized private for-profit school handed out 79 degrees to qualified ’s cinematography students in 2020-2021.
Academy of Art University also took the #4 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Academy of Art University is $32,975 for far western us region cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Film & Video Production at Academy of Art University
With a ranking of #15, Columbia College Hollywood did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Tarzana, California, and it awarded 105 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.
Columbia College Hollywood not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia College Hollywood is $32,692 for far western us region cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Columbia College Hollywood Film & Video Production Report
California Institute of the Arts landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Valencia, California, and it awarded 36 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.
CalArts did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $51,512 for far western us region cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California Institute of the Arts.
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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read more about Film & Video Production at CalArts
California College of the Arts ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s cinematography degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.
California College of the Arts did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for California College of the Arts is $24,239 for Far Western US Region Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read more about Film & Video Production at California College of the Arts
Art Center College of Design came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Art Center College of Design is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Pasadena, California. It awarded 41 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k list, Art Center College of Design has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Art Center College of Design is $43,406 for far western us region cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Art Center College of Design Film & Video Production Report
FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this small private for-profit school awarded 10 degrees to qualified ’s cinematography students in 2020-2021.
FIDM Los Angeles not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $41,318 for far western us region cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles.
Read more about Film & Video Production at FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles
Cornish College of the Arts ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cornish College of the Arts is a private not-for-profit institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Cornish College of the Arts also made our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend Cornish College of the Arts is $32,908 for Far Western US Region Cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read more about Film & Video Production at Cornish College of the Arts
San Francisco Art Institute landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SFAI is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
SFAI also made our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend SFAI is $34,969 for far western us region cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read more about Film & Video Production at San Francisco Art Institute
Los Angeles Film School did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. LA Film School is a medium-sized private for-profit school situated in Hollywood, California. It awarded 255 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.
LA Film School did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend LA Film School is $33,225 for far western us region cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Film & Video Production at LA Film School
New York Film Academy landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. New York Film Academy is a small private for-profit school situated in Burbank, California. It awarded 315 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k list, New York Film Academy has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for New York Film Academy is $43,683 for far western us region cinematography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Film & Video Production at New York Film Academy
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
