2027 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Massachusetts

[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.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Massachusetts
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 Greenfield Community College, our #1 best value for film, video & photographic arts in Massachusetts. Located in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,810, while out-of-state students pay about $11,930. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $12,269. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Greenfield Community College earn a median of $58,356 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fitchburg State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,346 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Students borrow a median of $25,840 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $48,965. That is a strong return on a $25,840 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $25,195 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $53,666. That is a strong return on a $25,195 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Massachusetts College Of Art And Design earned it the #4 place for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,400, with out-of-state students paying around $43,400. Students borrow a median of $25,965 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $22,764. That is a strong return on a $25,965 median debt. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design admits about 76% of applicants.
Hampshire College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the rural area of Amherst, Hampshire College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,896. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Hampshire College earn a median of $21,113 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hampshire College admits about 75% of applicants.
Smith College placed #6 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $18,941 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $40,436. That is a strong return on a $18,941 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Wheaton College Massachusetts landed the #7 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Norton, Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $63,960 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Wheaton College Massachusetts generally make around $28,498. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Lesley University came in at #8 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,256 in tuition and fees. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $26,974 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $31,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Brandeis University landed the #9 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,080 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $25,653. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $47,783. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.
Tufts University landed the #10 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $17,074. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $56,418. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Emerson College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,056. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $27,032. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.