2023 Best Value Colleges for Photography (Income $0-$30k)
98
Ranked Colleges
2,184
Degrees Awarded
$8,600
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 2,184 people earned their degree in photography, making the major the 310th most popular in the United States.
This year’s “Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 98 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in photography. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great photography 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 photography program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Photography Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
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. 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 Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for photography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Photography (Income $0-$30k)
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Yale University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified ’s photography students in 2020-2021.
Yale also made our “Best Photography Schools” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Yale is $961 for photography students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Photography at Yale
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Provo. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. Provo, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s photography degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at BYU, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Photography Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for BYU is $9,445 for photography students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Brigham Young University - Provo Photography Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s photography degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Photography Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $4,858 for Photography students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Photography at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Central Florida. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s photography degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCF, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Photography Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCF is $4,468 for photography students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Photography at UCF
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified ’s photography students in 2020-2021.
UW Seattle also made our “Best Photography Schools” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for University of Washington - Seattle Campus is $5,194 for Photography students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.
Read full report on Photography at UW Seattle
Miami Dade College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Miami, Florida, this large public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified ’s photography students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $4,482 for photography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Miami Dade College.
Read more about Photography at Miami Dade College
California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Sac State is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $8,163 for photography students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 more about Photography at Sac State
Oakland University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 3 ’s photography degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Oakland University is $8,949 for photography students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 more about Photography at Oakland
Grand Valley State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Allendale, Michigan, and it awarded 14 ’s photography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at GVSU, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Photography Schools” ranking. It costs about $10,259 for Photography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Grand Valley State University.
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%.
Full Grand Valley State University Photography Report
With a ranking of #10, Nassau Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Garden City, New York, this fairly large public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified ’s photography students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Nassau Community College is $2,197 for photography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Photography at Nassau Community College
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Annandale, Virginia, and it awarded 13 ’s photography degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Northern Virginia Community College is $7,515 for Photography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Photography at Northern Virginia Community College
With a ranking of #12, Syracuse University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Syracuse, New York, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 16 diplomas to qualified ’s photography students in 2020-2021.
Syracuse not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Photography Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Syracuse is $17,250 for Photography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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 Photography at Syracuse University
Purchase College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Purchase College is located in Purchase, New York and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s photography degrees to qualified students.
Purchase College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Photography Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Purchase College is $13,899 for Photography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Photography at Purchase College
Central Washington University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Central Washington University is a public institution located in Ellensburg, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $10,796 for Photography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CWU.
Full CWU Photography Report
Northeastern University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northeastern University is a large school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 2 ’s photography degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $10,240 for Photography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northeastern.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Photography at Northeastern
University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified ’s photography students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $10,549 for Photography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Illinois at Chicago.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 Photography at University of Illinois at Chicago
Northern Arizona University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Northern Arizona University is a large school located in Flagstaff, Arizona that handed out 21 ’s photography degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend NAU is $10,520 for Photography students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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%.
Full Northern Arizona University Photography Report
Suffolk County Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Selden, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s photography degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Suffolk County Community College is $2,585 for Photography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Photography at Suffolk County Community College
Temple University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Temple is a large school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 17 ’s photography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Temple, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Photography Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Temple University is $18,173 for photography students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 87%.
Read full report on Photography at Temple
University of Houston did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. UH is located in Houston, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s photography degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $10,533 for Photography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UH.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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%.
Read more about Photography at University of Houston
Texas State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Texas State is located in San Marcos, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s photography degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Texas State University is $10,971 for Photography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Photography at Texas State University
Ferris State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Big Rapids, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 7 degrees to qualified ’s photography students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,577 for photography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ferris State University.
Read more about Photography at Ferris State University
SUNY New Paltz came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SUNY New Paltz is a public institution located in New Paltz, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for SUNY New Paltz is $10,840 for photography students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 Photography at SUNY New Paltz
County College of Morris did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Randolph, New Jersey, this medium-sized public school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified ’s photography students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,707 for photography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend County College of Morris.
Full County College of Morris Photography Report
SUNY Fredonia came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Photography Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SUNY Fredonia is a public institution located in Fredonia, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for SUNY Fredonia is $10,026 for photography students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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 Photography at SUNY Fredonia
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