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2023 Best Value Colleges for Film & Video Production (Income $48-$75k) in California

20 Ranked Colleges
1,951 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

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 California, there were 1,951 film and video production graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 20 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the film and video production program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 in California For Those Making $48-$75k”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california cinematography students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 20 Best Value Colleges for Film & Video Production (Income $48-$75k) in California

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Riverside. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school handed out 91 diplomas to qualified ’s cinematography students in 2020-2021.

UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for UCR is $11,126 for california cinematography students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UCR Film & Video Production Report

2
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Southern California. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. USC is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 216 ’s cinematography degrees to qualified students.

USC also took the #1 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $22,826 for California Cinematography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Southern California.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 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 1.3% 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 freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full USC Film & Video Production Report

3

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Sacramento landed the #3 spot on the list. 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.

In addition to being on our california cinematography students whose families make $48-$75k list, Sac State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $12,602 for California Cinematography students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full California State University - Sacramento Film & Video Production Report

4
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Francisco State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. SFSU 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.

SFSU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,065 for California Cinematography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend SFSU.

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

5
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Humboldt State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Arcata, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s cinematography degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

Humboldt State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $16,716 for california cinematography students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at Humboldt State University

6
Woodbury crest
Woodbury University
Burbank, California

With a ranking of #6, Woodbury University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Burbank, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s cinematography degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

Woodbury not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in California” list. It costs about $29,603 for california cinematography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Woodbury University.

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%. 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.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at Woodbury University

7
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Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, California

Mount Saint Mary’s University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. MSMU is a small school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 21 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

MSMU also took the #7 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $33,649 for california cinematography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend MSMU.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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 Mount Saint Mary’s University Film & Video Production Report

8
CLU crest
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, California

California Lutheran University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Thousand Oaks, California, and it awarded 8 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

CLU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend CLU is $24,375 for california cinematography students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at California Lutheran University

9
Loyola Marymount crest
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California

Loyola Marymount University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Loyola Marymount University 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.

Loyola Marymount did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Loyola Marymount is $37,292 for california cinematography students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. 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.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at Loyola Marymount

10
California College of the Arts crest
California College of the Arts
San Francisco, California

California College of the Arts did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. California College of the Arts is a small school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 16 ’s cinematography degrees 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 California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California College of the Arts is $31,474 for california cinematography students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film & Video Production at California College of the Arts

11
Chapman crest
Chapman University
Orange, California

With a ranking of #11, Chapman University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Orange, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s cinematography degrees to 166 students 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 California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Chapman University is $38,525 for california cinematography students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at Chapman University

12
Columbia College Hollywood crest
Columbia College Hollywood
Tarzana, California

With a ranking of #12, Columbia College Hollywood did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Columbia College Hollywood is a small school located in Tarzana, California that handed out 105 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

Columbia College Hollywood did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia College Hollywood is $33,725 for California Cinematography students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Columbia College Hollywood Film & Video Production Report

13
Biola crest
Biola University
La Mirada, California

Biola University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. La Mirada, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s cinematography degrees to 56 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california cinematography students whose families make $48-$75k list, Biola has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $30,789 for California Cinematography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Biola.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film & Video Production at Biola

14
Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California

Academy of Art University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Academy of Art University is a medium-sized school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 79 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

Academy of Art University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Academy of Art University is $34,695 for california cinematography students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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%.

Full Academy of Art University Film & Video Production Report

15
CalArts crest
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, California

California Institute of the Arts came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. California Institute of the Arts is located in Valencia, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 36 ’s cinematography degrees to qualified students.

CalArts not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California Institute of the Arts is $55,675 for California Cinematography students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 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 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film & Video Production at California Institute of the Arts

16
Art Center College of Design crest
Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, California

Art Center College of Design ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Art Center College of Design is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pasadena, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Art Center College of Design also made our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Art Center College of Design is $42,992 for california cinematography students whose families make $48-$75k.

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. 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

17

FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. FIDM Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s cinematography degrees to qualified students.

FIDM Los Angeles not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in California” list. It costs about $40,670 for California Cinematography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend FIDM Los Angeles.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at FIDM Los Angeles

18
LA Film School crest
Los Angeles Film School
Hollywood, California

Los Angeles Film School did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. LA Film School is a medium-sized school located in Hollywood, California that handed out 255 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.

LA Film School did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in California” list. It costs about $35,062 for California Cinematography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend LA Film School.

Read full report on Film & Video Production at LA Film School

19
SFAI crest
San Francisco Art Institute
San Francisco, California

San Francisco Art Institute ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. San Francisco Art Institute is located in San Francisco, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s cinematography degrees to qualified students.

SFAI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in California” list.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full SFAI Film & Video Production Report

20
New York Film Academy crest
New York Film Academy
Burbank, California

New York Film Academy came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Burbank, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s cinematography degrees to 315 students in 2020-2021.

New York Film Academy also took the #19 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend New York Film Academy is $44,182 for california cinematography students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 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 New York Film Academy

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