2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Far Western Region
[Film, Video & Photographic Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong film, video & photographic arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 129 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for film, video & photographic arts students.
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2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the film, video & photographic arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #1 spot for value among film, video & photographic arts schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. 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.
A rank of #4 makes Citrus College one of the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in film, video & photographic arts will find it at Santa Ana College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $11,196. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chabot College earned the #6 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College came in at #7 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $7,995. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #9 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College placed #10 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Diablo Valley College landed the #11 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $9,205. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cosumnes River College came in at #12 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
California State University Long Beach ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $15,671. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,982 early in their careers. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
City College Of San Francisco earned the #14 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Sacramento placed #15 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $16,205. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $24,618. That is a strong return on a $16,205 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Los Angeles City College placed #16 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $10,763. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Los Angeles City College earn a median of $83,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,763 median debt.
West Los Angeles College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the suburb of Culver City, West Los Angeles College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $65,978.
Portland Community College earned the #18 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, compared with $10,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $20,648. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Portland Community College earn a median of $49,580 early in their careers. Set against $20,648 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #19 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $21,491. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
Santa Barbara City College landed the #20 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,240 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,432. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Santa Barbara City College earn a median of $68,184 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,090 median debt.
University Of California Irvine came in at #21 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $16,300. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $21,397 early in their careers. Set against $16,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
San Francisco State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $17,850. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $18,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Modesto Junior College came in at #23 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Los Angeles Valley College landed the #24 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $10,254 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Los Angeles Valley College earn a median of $81,600 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,254 median debt.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #25 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $16,481. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $28,561. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
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:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 129 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
