2027 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools to find the best return on investment for film, video & photographic arts students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes 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
Our analysis ranked College Of Dupage the best value for a degree in film, video & photographic arts in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Cuyahoga Community College District one of the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $14,636. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $39,394 early in their careers. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbus State Community College earned it the #3 place for film, video & photographic arts. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in film, video & photographic arts will find it at Oakland Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #6 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $19,760. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $25,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University placed #7 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $27,000. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $22,011 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #8 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $25,306. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $45,767 early in their careers. Set against $25,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $17,034. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,034 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Chicago placed #10 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University placed #11 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,500 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $55,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #12 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $21,322 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $21,813. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Western Michigan University placed #14 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $26,502. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #15 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $23,840 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Cleveland State University came in at #16 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $22,263. Set against $26,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Grand Valley State University placed #18 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,899 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $25,256. That is a strong return on a $25,899 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $26,750. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $24,617. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Michigan State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $54,166. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $24,546. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $49,736. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Calvin College earned the #22 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $39,350. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $20,928. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $15,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $19,803. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Taylor University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,490. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $21,832 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Taylor University earn a median of $45,090 early in their careers. Set against $21,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $23,530. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $58,659. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for film, video & photographic arts this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
