2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California
[Film, Video & Photographic Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 105 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for film, video & photographic arts students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California
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
For return on investment in film, video & photographic arts, no school beat California State University Dominguez Hills this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. 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. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $9,776. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. 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. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Citrus College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Santa Ana College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College landed the #6 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $37,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chabot College landed the #7 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College landed the #8 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Diablo Valley College placed #11 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $9,205. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $27,813. 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. Set in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Cosumnes River College generally make around $19,699. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Long Beach came in at #13 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
City College Of San Francisco came in at #14 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. Students from in state pay about $1,696 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $10,332. 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.
California State University Sacramento came in at #15 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,205 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $24,618. That is a strong return on a $16,205 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
West Los Angeles College came in at #16 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the suburb of Culver City, West Los Angeles College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from West Los Angeles College generally make around $65,978.
Los Angeles City College earned the #17 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Los Angeles City College is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $10,763 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Los Angeles City College generally make around $83,699. That is a strong return on a $10,763 median debt.
Santa Barbara City College earned the #18 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,240, while out-of-state students pay about $10,432. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $68,184. Set against $21,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Modesto Junior College landed the #19 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $8,575. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $36,525. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California Irvine came in at #20 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,300 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $21,397. Set against $16,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Los Angeles Valley College came in at #21 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,254 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Los Angeles Valley College earn a median of $81,600 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Francisco State University earned the #22 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $17,850 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $18,654. That is a strong return on a $17,850 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #23 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $28,608. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
College Of The Desert ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Palm Desert, College Of The Desert is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,326, with out-of-state students paying around $10,174. Students borrow a median of $7,826 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of College Of The Desert earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California Riverside earned the #25 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $24,840. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s film, video & photographic arts value ranking:
More Film, Video & Photographic Arts Rankings
View All Film, Video & Photographic Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 105 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
