2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Washington

[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for film, video & photographic arts students.
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Featured Film, Video & Photographic Arts Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
AA in Digital Photography
Take the first step toward a career of visual expression and doing what you love with this online associate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
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BA in Digital Photography
Learn to create a striking portfolio and hone the skills you need to succeed in the world of professional photography with this online digital photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
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2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Washington
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Washington Seattle Campus the best value for a degree in film, video & photographic arts in Washington. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $28,561. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Students looking for strong value in film, video & photographic arts will find it at Eastern Washington University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,754 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $25,090 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Central Washington University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $23,126. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seattle University earned it the #4 place for film, video & photographic arts. Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,721. Students borrow a median of $24,583 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Seattle University generally make around $30,256. Set against $24,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Whitman College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Walla Walla. Students from in state pay about $64,050 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $17,518. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Whitman College earn a median of $32,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,518 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Seattle Film Institute ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Film Institute is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $33,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $21,664. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Seattle Film Institute generally make around $24,237.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.