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2023 Best Value Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts in the Far Western US Region

39 Ranked Colleges
4,641 Degrees Awarded
$19,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 the Far Western US region, there were 4,641 film, video and photographic arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $25,418 and $26,897 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking analyzed 39 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the film, video and photographic arts program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. 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 the Far Western US Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts in the Far Western US Region

1
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, San Francisco State University landed the #1 spot on the list. San Francisco State University is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 247 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco State University is $14,459 for far western us region film students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at San Francisco State University

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region. CSULB is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 178 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region film students list, CSULB has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSULB is $10,054 for Far Western US Region Film students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at California State University - Long Beach

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Nevada - Las Vegas. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region. Las Vegas, Nevada is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s film degrees to 74 students in 2020-2021.

UNLV did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UNLV is $10,993 for far western us region film students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.9% 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 UNLV

4
National University crest
National University
La Jolla, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend National University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region list. La Jolla, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s film degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend National University is $20,722 for Far Western US Region Film students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 National University

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Sacramento. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s film degrees to 73 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $11,178 for far western us region film students per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Sacramento Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

6

University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #6. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 127 ’s film degrees to qualified students.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $15,023 for far western us region film students per year to attend UCLA.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at UCLA

7
Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #7, Academy of Art University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Academy of Art University is a private for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 172 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region film students list, Academy of Art University has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $36,143 for far western us region film students per year to attend Academy of Art University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

8
CWU crest
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, Washington

With a ranking of #8, Central Washington University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Ellensburg, Washington is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s film degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region film students list, CWU has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CWU is $16,514 for far western us region film students.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at CWU

9
Columbia College Hollywood crest
Columbia College Hollywood
Tarzana, California

Columbia College Hollywood ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Columbia College Hollywood is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Tarzana, California. It awarded 135 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Columbia College Hollywood, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $32,909 for Far Western US Region Film students per year to attend Columbia College Hollywood.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Columbia College Hollywood

10
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Humboldt State University is located in Arcata, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s film degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $14,956 for Far Western US Region Film students per year to attend Humboldt State University.

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

11
MSMU crest
Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, California

Mount Saint Mary’s University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s film degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

MSMU also took the #18 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $30,938 for far western us region film students per year to attend MSMU.

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. 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%.

Full Mount Saint Mary’s University Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

12

With a ranking of #12, Portland State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Portland, Oregon is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s film degrees to 56 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,498 for far western us region film students per year to attend Portland State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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%.

Full Portland State University Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

13

University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #13. UW Seattle is a large public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 38 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

UW Seattle also took the #5 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Washington - Seattle Campus is $12,017 for Far Western US Region Film students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

14

California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #14. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a public institution located in Carson, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,026 for far western us region film students per year to attend CSUDH.

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 full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at CSUDH

15
UO crest
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

University of Oregon ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Eugene, Oregon is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s film degrees to 74 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region film students list, UO has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Oregon is $18,047 for Far Western US Region Film students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at UO

16

FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This small school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 10 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for FIDM Los Angeles is $40,793 for Far Western US Region Film students.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at FIDM Los Angeles

17

Eastern Washington University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #17. This fairly large school is located in Cheney, Washington, and it awarded 19 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Washington University is $12,335 for far western us region film students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Eastern Washington University Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

18
GFU crest
George Fox University
Newberg, Oregon

With a ranking of #18, George Fox University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region list. GFU is located in Newberg, Oregon and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s film degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for George Fox University is $30,839 for far western us region film students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 GFU

19
Loyola Marymount crest
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California

Loyola Marymount University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Loyola Marymount is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 104 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

Loyola Marymount did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Loyola Marymount University is $44,467 for far western us region film students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Loyola Marymount Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

20

With a ranking of #20, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region list. University of California - Santa Barbara is a large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 184 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $16,252 for far western us region film students per year to attend UCSB.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

21

University of California - Irvine ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s film degrees to 167 students in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $12,209 for far western us region film students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

22
Biola crest
Biola University
La Mirada, California

Biola University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in La Mirada, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 56 degrees to qualified ’s film students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $33,269 for Far Western US Region Film students per year to attend Biola.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Biola Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

23

University of California - Riverside ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region list. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 199 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Riverside is $11,822 for Far Western US Region Film students.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

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

24

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #24. UC Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 179 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region film students list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Cruz is $17,930 for far western us region film students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at UC Santa Cruz

25

University of California - Berkeley ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school awarded 79 diplomas to qualified ’s film students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region film students list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $16,032 for Far Western US Region Film students per year to attend University of California - Berkeley.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

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