2026 Best Value Film & Video Production Schools in California
[Film & Video Production](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/film-video-production/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 58 schools to find the best return on investment for film & video production students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Film & Video Production Schools in California
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
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #1 spot for value among film & video production schools in California. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the film & video production program here. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #2 place for film & video production. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the film & video production program here. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in film & video production will find it at Santa Monica College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Chabot College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film & video production, landing the #4 spot this year. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $85,175. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Orange Coast College one of the best values for film & video production. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #6 position for value in film & video production this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Film & Video Production graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cosumnes River College landed the #7 spot for film & video production value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the film & video production program here. Soon after graduation, film & video production degree recipients from Cosumnes River College generally make around $19,699. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value film & video production schools. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the film & video production program here. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
City College Of San Francisco landed the #9 spot for film & video production value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the film & video production program here. Film & Video Production graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
California State University Sacramento ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value film & video production schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for film & video production graduates is $16,205. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $24,618. That is a strong return on a $16,205 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
West Los Angeles College came in at #11 for value in film & video production this year. Set in the suburb of Culver City, West Los Angeles College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $65,978.
Los Angeles City College placed #12 among the best values for film & video production. Los Angeles City College is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Students borrow a median of $10,763 to complete the film & video production program here. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $83,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Barbara City College landed the #13 spot for film & video production value this year. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. Students from in state pay about $1,240 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,432. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film & video production degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. That is a strong return on a $21,090 median debt.
Los Angeles Valley College came in at #14 for value in film & video production this year. Located in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film & video production graduates is $10,254. Film & Video Production graduates of Los Angeles Valley College earn a median of $81,600 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Francisco State University landed the #15 spot for film & video production value this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Typical student debt for film & video production graduates is $17,850. Film & Video Production graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $18,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,850 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of California Riverside came in at #16 for value in film & video production this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the film & video production program here. Soon after graduation, film & video production degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $24,840. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
College Of The Desert landed the #17 spot for film & video production value this year. Set in the city of Palm Desert, College Of The Desert is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,326, compared with $10,174 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,826 to complete the film & video production program here. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Humboldt State University earned the #18 position for value in film & video production this year. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,397 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film & video production graduates is $23,162. Film & Video Production graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $19,107 early in their careers. Set against $23,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Mount St Marys College landed the #19 spot for film & video production value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,564 in tuition and fees. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $25,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount St Marys College admits about 73% of applicants.
Biola University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value film & video production schools. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,984. Typical student debt for film & video production graduates is $25,308. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $45,003. Set against $25,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Biola University admits about 74% of applicants.
California Lutheran University came in at #21 for value in film & video production this year. Located in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,560. Students borrow a median of $22,727 to complete the film & video production program here. Early-career film & video production graduates make about $53,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California came in at #22 for value in film & video production this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $21,687 in student loans. Film & Video Production graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $30,515 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,687 median debt. The acceptance rate is 10%.
Academy Of Art University landed the #23 spot for film & video production value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,736. Film & Video Production graduates carry a median of $34,571 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film & video production degree recipients from Academy Of Art University generally make around $31,814. Set against $34,571 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California College Of The Arts earned the #24 position for value in film & video production this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, California College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $60,226 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,594 to complete the film & video production program here. Film & Video Production graduates of California College Of The Arts earn a median of $52,838 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola Marymount University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value film & video production schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,867. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the film & video production program here. Soon after graduation, film & video production degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $26,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola Marymount University admits about 45% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Film & Video Production Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for film & video production this year:
More Film & Video Production Rankings
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 · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
