2026 Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

Leading the list is University Of Wisconsin Madison, our #1 school for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 53 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $59,877 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

2

Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Marquette University awarded about 24 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $60,443 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,122. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for Marquette University

3

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

Students looking for a strong film, video & photographic arts program will find one at University Of Chicago, which ranked #3. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Chicago awarded about 16 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $81,002 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from University Of Chicago

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 77 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $25,565 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,760. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

5

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in film, video & photographic arts, ranking #5. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $17,034 in student loans. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for Purdue University Main Campus

6

Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University landed the #6 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 12 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Xavier University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $55,045. Students borrow a median of $26,614 to complete this degree. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Xavier University

7

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates 63% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater awarded about 14 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. Students borrow a median of $25,306 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

8

Denison University
Granville, OH

Denison University placed #8 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Granville. About 79% of students finish within six years. Denison University awarded about 10 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Denison University earn a median of $39,797 early in their careers. Denison University graduates carry a median of $25,360 in student loans. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for Denison University

9

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 55 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Ohio State University Main Campus

10

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Depaul University awarded about 304 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $25,028 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,717. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Depaul University

11

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #11 for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. About 10 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $54,166 early in their careers. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Michigan State University

12

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 25 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $49,736 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,546. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Ohio University Main Campus

13

Taylor University
Upland, IN

Taylor University landed the #13 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Taylor University awarded about 16 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Taylor University earn around $45,090 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,832 to complete this degree. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Taylor University

14

Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College placed #14 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oberlin. Oberlin College graduates 81% of students within six years. Oberlin College awarded about 25 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Oberlin College earn around $23,519 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Oberlin College

15

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. This large public university is located in the town of Bowling Green. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 28 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $19,803 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Bowling Green State University Main Campus

16

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Western Michigan University awarded about 23 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $26,502 in their early career. Western Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Western Michigan University

17

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University earned the #17 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 62 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Grand Valley State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $25,256 in their early career. Grand Valley State University graduates carry a median of $25,899 in student loans. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Grand Valley State University

18

Huntington University
Huntington, IN

Huntington University placed #18 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the town of Huntington, Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit university. Huntington University graduates 64% of students within six years. About 29 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Huntington University in the most recent year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Huntington University earn a median of $27,455 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,996. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Huntington University

19

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Columbia College Chicago ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Columbia College Chicago graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 323 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $29,694 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Columbia College Chicago

20

Northcentral Technical College
Wausau, WI

Northcentral Technical College came in at #20 for film, video & photographic arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Wausau. There were roughly 13 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Northcentral Technical College in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $41,696 early in their careers. Northcentral Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Northcentral Technical College

21

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University landed the #21 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 25 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Wayne State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $55,469 in their early career. Wayne State University graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Wayne State University

22

Columbus State Community College
Columbus, OH

Columbus State Community College earned the #22 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Columbus State Community College awarded about 33 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Columbus State Community College graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for Columbus State Community College

23

Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College landed the #23 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Calvin College in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $15,906 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,928 to complete this degree. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Calvin College

24

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #24 for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 115 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $23,840 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

25

College For Creative Studies
Detroit, MI

College For Creative Studies placed #25 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. College For Creative Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. About 29 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at College For Creative Studies in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from College For Creative Studies generally make around $24,350. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for College For Creative Studies