2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Associate’s Degree Schools
[Film, Video & Photographic Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong film, video & photographic arts education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 691 schools to find the best return on investment for film, video & photographic arts students.
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2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in film, video & photographic arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools
Metropolitan Community College Area tops our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools in the United States. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $39,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for film, video & photographic arts. 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, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in film, video & photographic arts will find it at Santa Monica College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Orange Coast College earned it the #5 place for film, video & photographic arts. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $8,978. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College earned the #6 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Pima Community College earned the #7 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #8 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College earned the #9 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Miami Dade College came in at #10 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $6,500. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $22,587. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College landed the #11 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $9,043. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $21,032. That is a strong return on a $9,043 median debt.
Cypress College placed #12 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #13 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Rhode Island landed the #14 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $14,834. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $13,940 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Community College Of Rhode Island earn a median of $39,680 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #15 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #16 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $31,437. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
Cosumnes River College earned the #17 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $5,500. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah Valley University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $41,833. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland Community College came in at #19 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado Mountain College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $12,953 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $48,694 early in their careers. Set against $12,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Vista College came in at #21 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $9,189 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $29,349. Set against $9,189 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #22 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Aurora landed the #23 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Located in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Community College Of Aurora earn a median of $20,533 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt.
City College Of San Francisco placed #24 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,696, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Valencia College earned the #25 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $9,576. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $13,549. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Valencia College earn a median of $16,635 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in film, video & photographic arts:
Other Film, Video & Photographic Arts Degree Levels
Explore the best-value film, video & photographic arts schools at other degree levels:
View All Film, Video & Photographic Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 691 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
