2023 Best Value Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts (Income $30-$48k) in California
28
Ranked Colleges
4,258
Degrees Awarded
$21,000
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
Film, Video & Photographic Arts is the 62nd most popular major in the country with 16,778 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, film, video and photographic arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $24,170 and had an average of $25,804 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 4,258 film, video and photographic arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $25,500 and $27,453 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 28 colleges that offered a degree in film, video and photographic arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent film, video and photographic arts programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the film, video and photographic arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
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 Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” 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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california film students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts (Income $30-$48k) in California
Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #1 spot on the list. University of California - Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 79 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,999 for california film students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Berkeley.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.
Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at University of California - Berkeley
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 127 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,891 for California Film students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at UCLA
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Irvine. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 167 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california film students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,449 for california film students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UC Irvine.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at UC Irvine
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Riverside. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. University of California - Riverside is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 199 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.
UCR also took the #10 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Riverside is $8,193 for california film students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.
Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at University of California - Riverside
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Santa Barbara. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 184 ’s film degrees to qualified students.
UCSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,606 for California Film students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCSB.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UCSB Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report
University of Southern California did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 310 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.
USC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend USC is $17,345 for California Film students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%. 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.
Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at USC
California State University - Long Beach came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s film degrees to 178 students in 2020-2021.
CSULB also took the #17 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSULB is $7,573 for California Film students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at California State University - Long Beach
University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 179 ’s film degrees to qualified students.
UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Cruz is $12,049 for California Film students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at University of California - Santa Cruz
University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. University of California - Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 93 ’s film degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california film students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Davis has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $11,598 for California Film students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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%.
Full University of California - Davis Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report
California State University - Sacramento landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Sacramento is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 73 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california film students whose families make $30-$48k list, Sac State has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,055 for California Film students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Sac State.
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 full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at California State University - Sacramento
San Francisco State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in San Francisco, California, this large public school handed out 247 diplomas to qualified ’s film students in 2020-2021.
SFSU also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco State University is $11,862 for california film students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%.
Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at SFSU
California State University - Dominguez Hills ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Dominguez Hills is located in Carson, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s film degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $3,329 for california film students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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%.
Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at CSUDH
With a ranking of #13, Humboldt State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Arcata, California. It awarded 21 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Humboldt State University is $12,298 for california film students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Humboldt State University Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report
Woodbury University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Woodbury University is located in Burbank, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 ’s film degrees to qualified students.
Woodbury also took the #24 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Woodbury is $25,699 for California Film students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full Woodbury Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report
California Lutheran University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Thousand Oaks, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 8 degrees to qualified ’s film students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California Lutheran University is $20,772 for California Film students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 & Photographic Arts at CLU
Mount Saint Mary’s University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mount Saint Mary’s University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
MSMU also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for MSMU is $28,838 for california film students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Mount Saint Mary’s University
Chapman University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Chapman University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Orange, California. It awarded 190 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california film students whose families make $30-$48k list, Chapman has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Chapman University is $32,071 for california film students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 & Photographic Arts Report
Biola University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Biola is a medium-sized school located in La Mirada, California that handed out 56 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.
Biola also took the #21 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Biola is $26,419 for California Film students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 & Photographic Arts at Biola University
Loyola Marymount University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Loyola Marymount University is a fairly large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 104 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.
Loyola Marymount not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Loyola Marymount is $31,985 for california film students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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%. 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 Loyola Marymount University Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report
Academy of Art University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 172 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.
Academy of Art University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Academy of Art University is $32,975 for California Film students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Academy of Art University Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report
Columbia College Hollywood ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Columbia College Hollywood is a private not-for-profit institution located in Tarzana, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 135 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Columbia College Hollywood did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia College Hollywood is $32,692 for California Film students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Columbia College Hollywood
California Institute of the Arts ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. CalArts is a small school located in Valencia, California that handed out 63 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.
CalArts also took the #14 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $51,512 for California Film students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California Institute of the Arts.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at California Institute of the Arts
California College of the Arts did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. San Francisco, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s film degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.
California College of the Arts did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list. It costs about $24,239 for California Film students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California College of the Arts.
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%. 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.
Full California College of the Arts Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report
Art Center College of Design landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Pasadena, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 60 diplomas to qualified ’s film students in 2020-2021.
Art Center College of Design also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Art Center College of Design is $43,406 for california film students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Full Art Center College of Design Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report
FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s film 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 #23 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles is $41,318 for california film students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at FIDM Los Angeles
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