2027 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 58 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for film, video & photographic arts students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast 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
Leading the list is Chattahoochee Technical College, our #1 best value for film, video & photographic arts in the Southeast Region. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $44,673. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $21,599. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pellissippi State Community College earned it the #3 place for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,786, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,951 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $43,816. Set against $8,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Southern Crescent Technical College one of the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,516, compared with $6,084 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Savannah Technical College earned it the #5 place for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,330 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,898 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,843 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Savannah Technical College earn a median of $37,386 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,843 median debt.
Florida State University earned the #6 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $20,476 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $32,420 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Daytona State College earned the #7 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,106, compared with $11,994 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $10,000. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $43,320 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
University Of Central Florida came in at #8 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $21,375. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $23,676. That is a strong return on a $21,375 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Nashville State Community College came in at #9 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,730, compared with $17,714 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $16,745 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Nashville State Community College generally make around $41,456. Set against $16,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College landed the #10 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Lexington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,808, with out-of-state students paying around $6,512. Students borrow a median of $13,366 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $44,431. That is a strong return on a $13,366 median debt.
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #11 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $14,413. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Valencia College earned the #12 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Valencia College is a very large public school located in the city of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $9,576. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $13,549 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $16,635. Set against $13,549 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Georgia earned the #13 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $21,792. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #14 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $19,270 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $28,202. Set against $19,270 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University placed #15 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $24,499. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cape Fear Community College landed the #16 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Cape Fear Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. In-state tuition and fees average $2,748, while out-of-state students pay about $8,892. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $12,388 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Cape Fear Community College generally make around $42,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Baton Rouge Community College earned the #17 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Baton Rouge Community College is a large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,321. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $17,624 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Baton Rouge Community College generally make around $43,394. That is a strong return on a $17,624 median debt.
Vanderbilt University placed #18 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $13,975. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State University earned the #19 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,898, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Students borrow a median of $28,493 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $51,154. That is a strong return on a $28,493 median debt. Columbus State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Delgado Community College landed the #20 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Delgado Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,279. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $25,283 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Delgado Community College generally make around $36,073. Set against $25,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of West Georgia earned the #21 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Students borrow a median of $26,789 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $46,432 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts landed the #22 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Winston Salem, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,477, while out-of-state students pay about $27,211. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $27,000. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earn a median of $23,477 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 30%.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette earned the #23 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,418 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,146. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $24,373. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Lafayette generally make around $42,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.
Broward College placed #24 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,830, with out-of-state students paying around $8,952. Students borrow a median of $13,110 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Broward College earn a median of $51,328 early in their careers. Set against $13,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clayton State University came in at #25 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,532. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $27,896 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Clayton State University generally make around $15,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clayton State University admits about 68% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for film, video & photographic arts this year:
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), 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 · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 58 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.
