Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Film, Video & Photographic Arts

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts (Income $30-$48k) in California

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

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in California 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.

Across California, there were 4,639 film, video and photographic arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $22,855 and $40,424 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 806 film, video and photographic arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 17 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in film, video and photographic arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality film, video and photographic arts programs that also have a lower cost than 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

The film school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 17 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts (Income $30-$48k) in California

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s film degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stanford, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Stanford

#2

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. UCLA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 74 masters’s film degrees to qualified students.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131.

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

#3

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#13 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Diego State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Diego State University is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 7 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full San Diego State University Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#4

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Santa Barbara. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s film degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree film students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCSB has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at UCSB

#5

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Southern California landed the #5 spot on the list. USC is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 173 masters’s film degrees to qualified students.

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 Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at USC are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full USC Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#6

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#11 in overall quality

San Francisco State University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in San Francisco, California, this large public school awarded 14 degrees to qualified masters’s film students in 2019-2020.

SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944.

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

#7

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#10 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. UC Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UC Santa Cruz Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#8

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, California
#15 in overall quality

Sonoma State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Sonoma State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Rohnert Park, California. It awarded 6 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

SSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SSU are $18,890.

Full SSU Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#9

California College of the Arts

San Francisco, California
#8 in overall quality

California College of the Arts ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California College of the Arts is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

California College of the Arts not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California College of the Arts are $53,795, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California College of the Arts Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#10

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, California

Mount Saint Mary’s University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified masters’s film students in 2019-2020.

MSMU also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Mount Saint Mary’s University are $12,612.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Mount Saint Mary’s University

#11

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California

Loyola Marymount University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Loyola Marymount University is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 39 masters’s film degrees to qualified students.

Loyola Marymount also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Marymount are $19,756, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#12

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California

Academy of Art University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Francisco, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out masters’s film degrees to 87 students in 2019-2020.

Academy of Art University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Academy of Art University are $27,688, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#13

Chapman University

Orange, California

Chapman University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Orange, California, and it awarded 59 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

Chapman also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chapman University are $35,105, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Chapman Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

With a ranking of #14, John Paul the Great Catholic University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Escondido, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s film degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree film students whose families make $30-$48k list, JPCatholic has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking.

Full JPCatholic Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#15

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, California
#7 in overall quality

California Institute of the Arts ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Valencia, California, and it awarded 33 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

CalArts also took the #7 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CalArts are $53,466, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CalArts Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#16

Art Center College of Design

Pasadena, California
#12 in overall quality

Art Center College of Design did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Pasadena, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s film degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

Art Center College of Design also took the #12 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Art Center College of Design are $49,090.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Art Center College of Design

#17

New York Film Academy

Burbank, California

With a ranking of #17, New York Film Academy did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. New York Film Academy is located in Burbank, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 144 masters’s film degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at New York Film Academy, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at New York Film Academy are $35,457.

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

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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.

Featured Photography / Film Studies Schools

Find Schools Near You