2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region
22
Ranked Colleges
2,038
Degrees Awarded
$32,400
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.
Film & Video Production is the 117th most popular major in the country with 7,768 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
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” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer a degree in film and video production. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent film and video production programs, but they also 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Film & Video Production Schools
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region” list to help you make the college decision.
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. 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 the Far Western US Region
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region.
Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Film & Video Production in the Far Western US Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Francisco State University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s cinematography degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.
SFSU also took the #12 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Francisco State University is $14,459 for Far Western US Region Cinematography students.
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%.
Full San Francisco State University Film & Video Production Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Sacramento. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 53 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.
Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $11,178 for Far Western US Region Cinematography students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Sac State Film & Video Production Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Academy of Art University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Academy of Art University is located in San Francisco, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 79 ’s cinematography degrees to qualified students.
Academy of Art University also made our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for Academy of Art University is $36,143 for Far Western US Region Cinematography students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Academy of Art University Film & Video Production Report
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 list. Central Washington University is a fairly large public school situated in Ellensburg, Washington. It awarded 22 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region cinematography students list, CWU has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CWU is $16,514 for Far Western US Region Cinematography students.
Read more about Film & Video Production at Central Washington University
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia College Hollywood landed the #5 spot on the 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 the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Columbia College Hollywood is $32,909 for far western us region cinematography students.
Full Columbia College Hollywood Film & Video Production Report
With a ranking of #6, Humboldt State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Humboldt State University is a public institution located in Arcata, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region cinematography students list, Humboldt State University has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $14,956 for far western us region cinematography students.
Full Humboldt State University Film & Video Production Report
Mount Saint Mary’s University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #7. 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 estimated yearly cost for Mount Saint Mary’s University is $30,938 for far western us region cinematography students.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 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 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Film & Video Production at MSMU
FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s cinematography degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at FIDM Los Angeles, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for FIDM Los Angeles is $40,793 for Far Western US Region Cinematography students.
Read full report on Film & Video Production at FIDM Los Angeles
Loyola Marymount University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Loyola Marymount is a fairly large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 99 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Loyola Marymount, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Loyola Marymount University is $44,467 for far western us region cinematography students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 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 Loyola Marymount
George Fox University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region list. This small school is located in Newberg, Oregon, and it awarded 14 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.
GFU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for GFU is $30,839 for Far Western US Region Cinematography students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 George Fox University
With a ranking of #11, Cornish College of the Arts did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Cornish College of the Arts is a small school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 5 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cornish College of the Arts, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $38,851 for far western us region cinematography students per year to attend Cornish College of the Arts.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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%.
Read more about Film & Video Production at Cornish College of the Arts
Biola University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Biola is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in La Mirada, California. It awarded 56 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.
Biola not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Biola University is $33,269 for far western us region cinematography students.
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
With a ranking of #13, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region list. University of California - Riverside is located in Riverside, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 91 ’s cinematography degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our far western us region cinematography students list, UCR has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $11,822 for far western us region cinematography students per year to attend UCR.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.
Full UCR Film & Video Production Report
With a ranking of #14, Woodbury University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Woodbury University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Burbank, California. It awarded 17 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.
Woodbury also took the #17 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Woodbury University is $29,715 for far western us region cinematography students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, 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 Woodbury Film & Video Production Report
San Francisco Art Institute came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. SFAI 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFAI, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $40,793 for far western us region cinematography students per year to attend SFAI.
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
With a ranking of #16, New York Film Academy did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region list. New York Film Academy is located in Burbank, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 315 ’s cinematography degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our far western us region cinematography students 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 yearly cost to attend New York Film Academy is $44,350 for far western us region cinematography students.
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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% 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 full report on Film & Video Production at New York Film Academy
With a ranking of #17, Art Center College of Design did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Art Center College of Design is located in Pasadena, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 ’s cinematography degrees to qualified students.
Art Center College of Design did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $46,054 for Far Western US Region Cinematography students per year to attend Art Center College of Design.
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. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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%.
Read more about Film & Video Production at Art Center College of Design
Chapman University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #18. This medium-sized school is located in Orange, California, and it awarded 166 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.
Chapman did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Chapman is $44,198 for far western us region cinematography students.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Full Chapman University Film & Video Production Report
California Institute of the Arts did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #19. CalArts is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Valencia, California. It awarded 36 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region cinematography students list, CalArts has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California Institute of the Arts is $56,876 for Far Western US Region Cinematography students.
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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Film & Video Production at California Institute of the Arts
California Lutheran University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. California Lutheran University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Thousand Oaks, California. It awarded 8 ’s cinematography degrees in 2020-2021.
CLU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $27,410 for far western us region cinematography students per year to attend CLU.
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 more about Film & Video Production at California Lutheran University
California College of the Arts ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in San Francisco, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 16 diplomas to qualified ’s cinematography students in 2020-2021.
California College of the Arts not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $33,122 for Far Western US Region Cinematography students per year to attend California College of the Arts.
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. 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
University of Southern California came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Cinematography Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. 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.
In addition to being on our far western us region cinematography students list, USC has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Film & Video Production Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Southern California is $32,569 for far western us region cinematography students.
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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Film & Video Production at University of Southern California
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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.
