2026 Best Value Film & Video Production Associate’s Degree Schools
[Film & Video Production](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/film-video-production/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 343 schools to find the best return on investment for film & video production students.
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2026 Best Value Film & Video Production Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the film & video production degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Film & Video Production Schools
For return on investment in film & video production, no school beat College Of The Canyons this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Film & Video Production graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Santa Monica College one of the best values for film & video production. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Pima Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value film & video production schools. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $40,977. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film & video production, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the film & video production program here. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $23,674. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Orange Coast College earned it the #5 place for film & video production. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film & video production degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value film & video production schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the film & video production program here. Soon after graduation, film & video production degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Oklahoma City Community College landed the #7 spot for film & video production value this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,043 to complete the film & video production program here. Film & Video Production graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $21,032 early in their careers. Set against $9,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #8 spot for film & video production value this year. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the film & video production program here. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $44,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College placed #9 among the best values for film & video production. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the film & video production program here. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $22,587. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value film & video production schools. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film & video production degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Community College Of Rhode Island placed #11 among the best values for film & video production. Located in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $14,834. Students borrow a median of $13,940 to complete the film & video production program here. Soon after graduation, film & video production degree recipients from Community College Of Rhode Island generally make around $39,680. Set against $13,940 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cosumnes River College came in at #12 for value in film & video production this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for film & video production graduates is $5,500. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $19,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #13 for value in film & video production this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Film & Video Production graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Vista College placed #14 among the best values for film & video production. Northwest Vista College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $9,189 to complete the film & video production program here. Soon after graduation, film & video production degree recipients from Northwest Vista College generally make around $29,349. Set against $9,189 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value film & video production schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for film & video production graduates is $16,478. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $41,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cape Fear Community College earned the #16 position for value in film & video production this year. Cape Fear Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Students from in state pay about $2,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,892 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film & video production graduates is $12,388. Soon after graduation, film & video production degree recipients from Cape Fear Community College generally make around $42,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Aurora placed #17 among the best values for film & video production. Located in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Film & Video Production graduates of Community College Of Aurora earn a median of $20,533 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City College Of San Francisco came in at #18 for value in film & video production this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,696, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Typical student debt for film & video production graduates is $10,332. Film & Video Production graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Valencia College landed the #19 spot for film & video production value this year. Valencia College is a very large public school located in the city of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, compared with $9,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film & video production graduates is $13,549. Soon after graduation, film & video production degree recipients from Valencia College generally make around $16,635. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Daytona State College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value film & video production schools. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Students from in state pay about $3,106 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,994 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the film & video production program here. Film & Video Production graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $43,320 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bucks County Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value film & video production schools. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $13,068 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film & video production degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. That is a strong return on a $13,068 median debt.
Palm Beach State College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value film & video production schools. Palm Beach State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lake Worth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,050, compared with $10,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film & video production graduates is $12,518. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $21,002. That is a strong return on a $12,518 median debt.
Century College came in at #23 for value in film & video production this year. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,332 to complete the film & video production program here. Film & Video Production graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,332 median debt.
Los Angeles City College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value film & video production schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Typical student debt for film & video production graduates is $10,763. Film & Video Production graduates of Los Angeles City College earn a median of $83,699 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Barbara City College landed the #25 spot for film & video production value this year. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. In-state tuition and fees average $1,240, compared with $10,432 for out-of-state students. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $68,184. Set against $21,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Film & Video Production Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in film & video production:
Other Film & Video Production Degree Levels
Explore the best-value film & video production schools at other degree levels:
View All Film & Video Production Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 343 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
