2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in New York
[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.
College Factual analyzed 50 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools.
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2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in New York
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
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for film, video & photographic arts in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,134 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $24,869 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,134 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in film, video & photographic arts will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. 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. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $13,622 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $26,786 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,622 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $26,918. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Students looking for strong value in film, video & photographic arts will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #4. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $12,157. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Queensborough Community College one of the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College landed the #6 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. 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 Laguardia Community College came in at #7 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. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
Suny Westchester Community College came in at #8 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. That is a strong return on a $8,764 median debt.
Stony Brook University placed #9 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. 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. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $60,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Suny College At Oswego earned the #10 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $25,798 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $22,682. Set against $25,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #11 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $31,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University At Buffalo came in at #12 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $24,509 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $26,630. That is a strong return on a $24,509 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Suny At Purchase College came in at #13 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $26,949. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $18,128. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #14 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $20,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $22,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Fashion Institute Of Technology came in at #15 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $29,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Five Towns College placed #16 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the suburb of Dix Hills, Five Towns College is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,250. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Five Towns College generally make around $25,554. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Five Towns College admits about 54% of applicants.
Colgate University earned the #17 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,306. Students borrow a median of $16,286 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $52,924 early in their careers. Set against $16,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colgate University admits about 14% of applicants.
Rochester Institute Of Technology landed the #18 spot for film, video & photographic arts value 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. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $28,858. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Pace University New York earned the #19 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $53,510. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $25,238 in student loans. 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.
University Of Rochester landed the #20 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $21,517 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Set against $21,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Ithaca College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ithaca. In-state tuition and fees average $52,616. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Ithaca College generally make around $23,782. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Ithaca College admits about 69% of applicants.
New York University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $19,835. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Hofstra University placed #23 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $57,660 in tuition and fees. 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. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Vassar College earned the #24 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. In-state tuition and fees average $71,030. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $17,993 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Vassar College generally make around $28,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Marymount Manhattan College came in at #25 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of New York, Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,870 in tuition and fees. 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 Marymount Manhattan College generally make around $25,014. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Rest of the Top 32 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
The ranking above is published 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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
