2027 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/) 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for film, video & photographic arts students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southwest 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 Pima Community College, our #1 best value for film, video & photographic arts in the Southwest Region. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $40,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oklahoma City Community College earned it the #2 place for film, video & photographic arts. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,043 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $21,032 early in their careers. Set against $9,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Vista College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $9,189 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $29,349. Set against $9,189 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in film, video & photographic arts will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $10,112. 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.
Houston Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, 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. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $25,344 early in their careers. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned the #7 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $15,996. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center landed the #8 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Choctaw. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,311.
Scottsdale Community College landed the #9 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $13,084. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,084 median debt.
Northern Arizona University placed #10 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $23,418 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the rural area of Santa Fe, Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,920 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture generally make around $29,835. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #12 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $20,534 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $31,148. Set against $20,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $32,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #15 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $15,851 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $49,983. That is a strong return on a $15,851 median debt. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Arizona came in at #16 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $26,054 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Southern Oklahoma Technology Center placed #17 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the rural area of Ardmore, Southern Oklahoma Technology Center is a small public institution. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $29,012.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,864 to complete the film, video & photographic arts program here. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $33,610. That is a strong return on a $26,864 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Houston Baptist University came in at #19 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,430. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $25,601 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Houston Baptist University earn a median of $57,088 early in their careers. Set against $25,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the suburb of Waxahachie, Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,064. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $28,248. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Southwestern Assemblies Of God University earn a median of $37,774 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,248 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Canyon University placed #21 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $28,625 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $29,094 early in their careers. Set against $28,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
Oral Roberts University earned the #22 position for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,470 in tuition and fees. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $28,022 in student loans. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $25,696. That is a strong return on a $28,022 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Saint Edwards University landed the #23 spot for film, video & photographic arts value this year. Set in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,384. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $25,059 in student loans. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Saint Edwards University earn a median of $44,054 early in their careers. Set against $25,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts placed #24 among the best values for film, video & photographic arts. 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. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates carry a median of $17,316 in student loans. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts generally make around $22,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Southern Methodist University came in at #25 for value in film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Typical student debt for film, video & photographic arts graduates is $20,712. Early-career film, video & photographic arts graduates make about $70,632. That is a strong return on a $20,712 median debt. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s film, video & photographic arts value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
