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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts in the Far Western US Region

19 Ranked Colleges
819 Degrees Awarded
$33,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Film Schools for a Master's 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 for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Film, Video & Photographic Arts is the 64th most popular major in the country with 17,506 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, film, video and photographic arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $22,714 and had an average of $31,549 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 5,094 film, video and photographic arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $22,973 and $38,643 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 819 film, video and photographic arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $59,319 and $48,880 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region” ranking, we looked at 19 colleges that offer 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the film, video and photographic arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools

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

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region master’s degree film students.

Top 19 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts in the Far Western US Region

#1

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Mount Saint Mary’s University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. MSMU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 8 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

MSMU also took the #12 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Mount Saint Mary’s University are $12,612.

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

#2

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Loyola Marymount University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. Loyola Marymount University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 39 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Marymount also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #5. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Marymount are $19,756.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Loyola Marymount

#3

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#14 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Francisco State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region. San Francisco State University is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 14 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#4

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region. UCLA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 74 masters’s film degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree film students list, UCLA has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UCLA Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#5

National University

La Jolla, California
#17 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend National University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. This fairly large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 14 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

National University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at National University are $15,480.

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

#6

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California

Academy of Art University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #6. This medium-sized school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 87 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

Academy of Art University also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #6. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Academy of Art University are $27,688.

Full Academy of Art University Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#7

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 7 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #16. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at San Diego State University

#8

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#9 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 3 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB also took the #9 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670.

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

#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. UW Seattle is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s film degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294.

Full UW Seattle Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#10

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, California
#18 in overall quality

Sonoma State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. SSU is located in Rohnert Park, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s film degrees to qualified students.

SSU also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at SSU are $18,890, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at SSU

#11

Chapman University

Orange, California

Chapman University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. Chapman University is located in Orange, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 59 masters’s film degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree film students list, Chapman has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Chapman are $35,105.

Full Chapman University Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#12

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#13 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified masters’s film students in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz also made our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#13

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 173 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Southern California Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#14

New York Film Academy

Burbank, California

With a ranking of #14, New York Film Academy did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. This small school is located in Burbank, California, and it awarded 144 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

New York Film Academy also took the #20 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at New York Film Academy are $35,457, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full New York Film Academy Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#15

Art Center College of Design

Pasadena, California
#15 in overall quality

Art Center College of Design came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. Art Center College of Design is a small school located in Pasadena, California that handed out 15 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Art Center College of Design, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Art Center College of Design are $49,090.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Art Center College of Design

#16

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, California
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, California Institute of the Arts did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. CalArts is a small school located in Valencia, California that handed out 33 masters’s film degrees in 2019-2020.

CalArts also took the #8 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CalArts are $53,466, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CalArts Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#17

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

Stanford University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #17. Stanford is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s film degrees to qualified students.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#18

California College of the Arts

San Francisco, California
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, California College of the Arts did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region list. California College of the Arts is located in San Francisco, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s film degrees to qualified students.

California College of the Arts not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California College of the Arts are $53,795, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California College of the Arts Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

#19

American Film Institute Conservatory

Los Angeles, California

American Film Institute Conservatory landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Film Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region ranking. American Film Institute Conservatory is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 102 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at American Film Institute, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at American Film Institute Conservatory are $63,575, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at American Film Institute

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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