2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong film, video & photographic arts education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 120 schools to find the best return on investment for film, video & photographic arts students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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
For return on investment in film, video & photographic arts, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $7,134 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $24,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $13,622. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $26,786. That is a strong return on a $13,622 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #3 place for film, video & photographic arts. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $26,918. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Suffolk County Community College one of the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $11,246. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $41,847. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny Queensborough Community College landed the #6 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #7 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #8 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $28,474. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry came in at #10 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,763 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $11,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Delaware Technical Community College Terry generally make around $43,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bucks County Community College came in at #11 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $13,068. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $37,711 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,068 median debt.
Suny Westchester Community College landed the #12 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $8,764. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $57,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $13,426. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $84,850. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
Stony Brook University came in at #14 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Suny College At Oswego ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $25,798. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $22,682. That is a strong return on a $25,798 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo came in at #16 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $24,509. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $26,630. Set against $24,509 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #17 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $23,258. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $31,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Suny At Purchase College placed #18 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,016, with out-of-state students paying around $19,266. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $26,949. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $18,128 early in their careers. Set against $26,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #19 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $20,691 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $22,843. Set against $20,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Fashion Institute Of Technology placed #20 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $8,174, compared with $22,696 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $17,912. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $29,250 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,912 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $23,250. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $38,508 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham placed #22 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,468. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham generally make around $22,311. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Five Towns College came in at #23 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the suburb of Dix Hills, Five Towns College is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,250. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Five Towns College generally make around $25,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Point Park University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,570. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $40,759. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Rider University came in at #25 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,120. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $26,241 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $48,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s film, video & photographic arts value ranking:
Narrow Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools by State
More Film, Video & Photographic Arts Rankings
View All Film, Video & Photographic Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 120 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 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.
