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2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

73 Ranked Colleges
1,837 Degrees Awarded
$33,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Film Schools for a Master's For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Film, Video & Photographic Arts is the 64th most popular major in the country with 17,506 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,837 film, video and photographic arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 73 colleges that offered a degree 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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 for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to 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 Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree film students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts (Income $30-$48k)

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 73 schools in the Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 5 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also took the #1 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Stanford Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 73 schools in the Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #2 spot on the list. Northwestern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 12 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#3

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington University in St Louis. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. Washington University in St Louis is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 2 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WUSTL, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at WUSTL are $56,562, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#4

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Yale University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 13 diplomas to qualified masters’s film students in 2019-2020.

Yale also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at Yale are $44,500, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Yale Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#5

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#24 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harvard University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Harvard is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s film degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our master’s degree film students whose families make $30-$48k list, Harvard has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Harvard

Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. New York, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s film degrees to 82 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree film students whose families make $30-$48k list, Columbia has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Columbia University in the City of New York

#7

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Johns Hopkins University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Baltimore, Maryland. The school has a large population, and it awarded 11 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Johns Hopkins Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#8

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 74 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree film students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCLA has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#9

The City College of New York

New York, New York

The City College of New York came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 18 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The City College of New York are $20,832, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full The City College of New York Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#10

Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, New York

Brooklyn College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Brooklyn, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s film degrees to 24 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Brooklyn College are $20,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Brooklyn College

#11

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

University of North Carolina School of the Arts came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNCSA is a small public school situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It awarded 20 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are $26,064, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of North Carolina School of the Arts Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#12

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Florida State is located in Tallahassee, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 masters’s film degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Florida State University

University of Washington - Seattle Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#22 in overall quality

Brigham Young University - Provo landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Provo, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s film degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

BYU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brigham Young University - Provo are $7,510, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at BYU

#15

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. San Diego State University is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at SDSU

With a ranking of #16, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s film degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Ohio State Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#17

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#23 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 3 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#18

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #18, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s film degrees to 173 students in 2019-2020.

USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at USC are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Southern California Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#19

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

With a ranking of #19, University of Utah did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Utah is a large public school situated in Salt Lake City, Utah. It awarded 6 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at U of U are $24,695.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at University of Utah

#20

College of Staten Island CUNY

Staten Island, New York

College of Staten Island CUNY did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. CSI is a fairly large school located in Staten Island, New York that handed out 1 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

CSI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSI are $21,080, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at College of Staten Island CUNY

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UIC Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

With a ranking of #22, University of Nevada - Las Vegas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Las Vegas, Nevada is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s film degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNLV are $21,962, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at University of Nevada - Las Vegas

#23

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 14 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full SFSU Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#24

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s film degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#25

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s film degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Central Michigan also took the #0 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan are $19,359.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Central Michigan

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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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