2027 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in New York
[Film, Video & Photographic Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for film, video & photographic arts students.
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2027 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in New York
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
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for film, video & photographic arts in New York. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $7,134 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. 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.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $13,389. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $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. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #5 spot 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. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $23,674. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #6 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $12,921. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,921 median debt.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #8 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Nassau Community College came in at #9 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $11,850. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $38,734. That is a strong return on a $11,850 median debt.
Suny Westchester Community College earned the #10 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,948, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $8,764 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $57,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mohawk Valley Community College placed #11 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,218, compared with $8,851 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,900 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $38,373. That is a strong return on a $11,900 median debt.
Stony Brook University landed the #12 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $20,537. 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. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Suny College At Oswego landed the #13 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $25,798. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $22,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Fashion Institute Of Technology ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,174 in tuition and fees, 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. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo placed #15 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Suny At Purchase College landed the #16 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,016, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $26,949 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $18,128. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Purchase College admits about 74% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $31,087 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Suny At Binghamton earned the #18 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Students borrow a median of $20,691 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $22,843 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Cortland ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Cortland. Students from in state pay about $8,874 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,784. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $25,369 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Suny College At Cortland generally make around $38,709. That is a strong return on a $25,369 median debt. Suny College At Cortland admits about 60% of applicants.
Five Towns College placed #20 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. 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. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $26,000. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $25,554. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Five Towns College admits about 54% of applicants.
Pace University New York came in at #21 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,510. Students borrow a median of $25,238 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Pace University New York generally make around $20,775. That is a strong return on a $25,238 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Ithaca College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,616. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Ithaca College earn a median of $23,782 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Long Island University C W Post Campus landed the #23 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,432. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $25,211. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $61,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Long Island University C W Post Campus admits about 86% of applicants.
Hofstra University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,660. Students borrow a median of $24,848 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $55,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hofstra University admits about 68% of applicants.
Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #25 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $59,210 in tuition and fees. 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 $28,858. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in film, video & photographic arts:
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), 2027 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 · 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.
