2026 Best Value Photography Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the photography degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Photography Schools
Our analysis ranked College Of The Canyons the best value for a degree in photography in the Far Western Region. 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. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $9,776. Photography 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.
Students looking for strong value in photography will find it at Citrus College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Santa Ana College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in photography, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $11,196. Early-career photography graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Victor Valley College earned it the #4 place for photography. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Photography graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Photography graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Chabot College one of the best values for photography. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete the photography program here. Photography graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College placed #6 among the best values for photography. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Photography graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Photography graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value photography schools. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #8 spot for photography value this year. 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 photography program here. Photography graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cosumnes River College earned the #9 position for value in photography this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the photography program here. Photography graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value photography schools. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. 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 photography program here. Early-career photography graduates make about $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco earned the #11 position for value in photography this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Photography graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Sacramento placed #12 among the best values for photography. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,205 to complete the photography program here. Photography graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $24,618 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,205 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Modesto Junior College placed #13 among the best values for photography. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the photography program here. Photography graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #14 among the best values for photography. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the photography program here. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Eastern Washington University earned the #15 position for value in photography this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $21,754. Photography graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $25,090 early in their careers. Set against $21,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Cabrillo College placed #16 among the best values for photography. Located in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,270, compared with $9,862 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $10,425. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Cabrillo College generally make around $47,750. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mount St Marys College earned the #17 position for value in photography this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,564. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the photography program here. Photography graduates of Mount St Marys College earn a median of $58,110 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mount St Marys College admits about 73% of applicants.
California Baptist University came in at #18 for value in photography this year. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $41,228 in tuition and fees. Photography graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Photography graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $25,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Baptist University admits about 85% of applicants.
Seattle University landed the #19 spot for photography value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $56,721. Students borrow a median of $24,583 to complete the photography program here. Early-career photography graduates make about $30,256. That is a strong return on a $24,583 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Academy Of Art University placed #20 among the best values for photography. Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,736. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $34,571. Early-career photography graduates make about $31,814. That is a strong return on a $34,571 median debt.
California College Of The Arts ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value photography schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, California College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $60,226 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,594 to complete the photography program here. Photography 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. California College Of The Arts admits about 91% of applicants.
New York Film Academy landed the #22 spot for photography value this year. New York Film Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Burbank. Students from in state pay about $37,122 in tuition and fees. Photography graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from New York Film Academy generally make around $16,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California Institute Of The Arts landed the #23 spot for photography value this year. California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valencia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,996. Typical student debt for photography graduates is $27,000. Early-career photography graduates make about $24,545. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 32% of applicants are accepted.
Art Center College Of Design earned the #24 position for value in photography this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $54,170. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the photography program here. Early-career photography graduates make about $22,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Photography Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 56 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
[Photography](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/photography/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong photography education at a price that pays off.
