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2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

13 Ranked Colleges
33 Degrees Awarded
$37,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Film Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 Film Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 17,506 people earned their degree in film, video and photographic arts, making the major the 64th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, film, video and photographic arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $22,714 and had an average of $31,549 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 33 film, video and photographic arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Film Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 13 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in film, video and photographic arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great film, video and photographic arts 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 film, video and photographic arts program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Film Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” 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. 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 Film Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Film Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 13 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts (Income $30-$48k)

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s film students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Northwestern University

#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school handed out 1 degrees to qualified doctorate’s film students in 2019-2020.

U-M also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#3

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value Film Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s film students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree film students whose families make $30-$48k list, UChicago has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at University of Chicago

#4

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value Film Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131.

Full UCLA Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Film Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 2 doctorate’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also took the #8 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at University of California - Berkeley

#6

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at University of California - Santa Barbara

#7

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#1 in overall quality

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. University of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at USC

#8

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at University of California - Santa Cruz

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s film degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

Pitt also took the #6 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus are $40,836.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

#10

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#11 in overall quality

University of Iowa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. University of Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 2 doctorate’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa are $27,613.

Full Iowa Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#11

University at Buffalo

Buffalo, New York
#10 in overall quality

University at Buffalo did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Buffalo, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s film degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

University at Buffalo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University at Buffalo are $26,028, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at University at Buffalo

#12

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. KU is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s film degrees to qualified students.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at KU are $25,007, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at University of Kansas

#13

New York University

New York, New York
#5 in overall quality

New York University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NYU, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at NYU are $36,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at New York University

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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

Footnotes

  • *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.

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