2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southwest 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 60 schools to find the best return on investment for film, video & photographic arts students.
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2026 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southwest Region
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
For return on investment in film, video & photographic arts, no school beat Pima Community College this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community 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 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Students borrow a median of $9,043 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $21,032. That is a strong return on a $9,043 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest Vista College earned it the #4 place for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $9,189. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $29,349. Set against $9,189 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $15,625. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $25,344 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Houston Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Oklahoma Technology Center came in at #8 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the rural area of Ardmore, Southern Oklahoma Technology Center is a small public institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,012 ten years after entry.
Arizona State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $20,534 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $31,148 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,534 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center landed the #10 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Choctaw, Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center is a small public institution. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,311.
University Of Houston landed the #11 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $21,255. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Scottsdale Community College placed #12 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $13,084. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Scottsdale Community College generally make around $48,039. Set against $13,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arizona earned the #13 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $26,054. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University came in at #14 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $19,000. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $23,418. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #15 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $24,000. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $32,126. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #16 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $26,864. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $33,610. Set against $26,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $15,851 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $49,983. Set against $15,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $28,625. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $29,094. That is a strong return on a $28,625 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts landed the #19 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Dallas, Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,521 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,316 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $22,845. That is a strong return on a $17,316 median debt. Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts admits about 68% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University landed the #20 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $70,632. Set against $20,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University landed the #21 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $23,928. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $49,888. That is a strong return on a $23,928 median debt. The acceptance rate is 51%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
