2026 Best Film Video And Photographic Arts Schools
Looking for the best Film Video And Photographic Arts programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 691 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Film Video And Photographic Arts Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than Lafayette College this year in the United States. Set in Easton, PA, Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $64,648. Typical Film Video And Photographic Arts student debt is $16,931. Get the full Lafayette College report
The strong Film Video And Photographic Arts programs at Dartmouth College earned it the #2 place in the United States. Set in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Typical Film Video And Photographic Arts student debt is $16,989. More on Dartmouth College
You'll be in good company at Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Dallas, TX, Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,521 in tuition and fees. Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts Film Video And Photographic Arts students take on a median of $17,316 in debt. Get the full Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts report
A rank of #4 makes Emory University one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atlanta, GA. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. The median Film Video And Photographic Arts program debt is $19,431. Get the full Emory University report
Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Typical Film Video And Photographic Arts student debt is $17,921. More on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Florida Institute Of Recording Sound And Technology came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Set in Orlando, FL, Florida Institute Of Recording Sound And Technology is a private for-profit institution. Florida Institute Of Recording Sound And Technology Film Video And Photographic Arts students take on a median of $7,853 in debt. Get the full Florida Institute Of Recording Sound And Technology report
Brandeis University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. Based in Waltham, MA, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brandeis University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,080. Students borrow a median of $25,653 to complete their Film Video And Photographic Arts program here. Read the full report on Brandeis University
Winona State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. Set in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Graduates carry a median of $24,551 in student loans. Get the full Winona State University report
Nashville Film Institute ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. Located in Nashville, TN, Nashville Film Institute is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,058 to complete their Film Video And Photographic Arts program here. More on Nashville Film Institute
Miami Ad School At Portfolio Center landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Based in Atlanta, GA, Miami Ad School At Portfolio Center is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,400. Get the full Miami Ad School At Portfolio Center report
Carnegie Mellon University placed #13 among Film Video And Photographic Arts schools in the United States. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. More on Carnegie Mellon University
Sacred Heart University landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Sacred Heart University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fairfield, CT. About 74% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,404. Graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans. Read more about Sacred Heart University
University Of California Berkeley landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. University Of California Berkeley is a public school based in Berkeley, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Graduates carry a median of $15,693 in student loans. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
American Film Institute Conservatory ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. Set in Los Angeles, CA, American Film Institute Conservatory is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full American Film Institute Conservatory profile
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Based in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical Film Video And Photographic Arts student debt is $17,034. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor did well this year, earning the #18 position. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. The median Film Video And Photographic Arts program debt is $19,760. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile
Northwestern University placed #19 among Film Video And Photographic Arts schools in the United States. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their Film Video And Photographic Arts program here. Read the full report on Northwestern University
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. University Of Wisconsin Madison posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete their Film Video And Photographic Arts program here. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Washington University In St Louis did well this year, earning the #21 position. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Typical Film Video And Photographic Arts student debt is $17,553. See the full Washington University In St Louis profile
University Of Georgia did well this year, earning the #22 position. This public school is set in Athens, GA. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. University Of Georgia Film Video And Photographic Arts students take on a median of $21,792 in debt. Get the full University Of Georgia report
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. University Of Pennsylvania Film Video And Photographic Arts students take on a median of $16,155 in debt. More on University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Southern California landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical Film Video And Photographic Arts student debt is $21,687. Get the full University Of Southern California report
Southern Methodist University came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Dallas, TX. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. The median Film Video And Photographic Arts program debt is $20,712. Read the full report on Southern Methodist University
Boston College came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Set in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,702. The median Film Video And Photographic Arts program debt is $18,101. Read more about Boston College
National University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. National University is a private not-for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. National University posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,284. National University Film Video And Photographic Arts students take on a median of $30,426 in debt. Get the full National University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Film Video And Photographic Arts Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
American University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. American University posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. Typical Film Video And Photographic Arts student debt is $23,250. See the full American University profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #29 in this year's ranking. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public school based in Seattle, WA. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
University Of California Irvine came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Set in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. University Of California Irvine posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical Film Video And Photographic Arts student debt is $16,300. Get the full University Of California Irvine report
Academy Of Art University did well this year, earning the #31 position. This private for-profit school is set in San Francisco, CA. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,736. The median Film Video And Photographic Arts program debt is $34,571. Read more about Academy Of Art University
Vanderbilt University landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete their Film Video And Photographic Arts program here. More on Vanderbilt University
Florida State University placed #33 among Film Video And Photographic Arts schools in the United States. Located in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Graduates carry a median of $20,476 in student loans. More on Florida State University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Film Video And Photographic Arts students take on a median of $20,778 in debt. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
New York University landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Based in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete their Film Video And Photographic Arts program here. Get the full New York University report
Michigan State University placed #36 among Film Video And Photographic Arts schools in the United States. Based in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete their Film Video And Photographic Arts program here. Get the full Michigan State University report
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #37 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Santa Barbara, CA. University Of California Santa Barbara posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. University Of California Santa Barbara Film Video And Photographic Arts students take on a median of $15,000 in debt. More on University Of California Santa Barbara
Wellesley College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Wellesley, MA. Wellesley College posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. Graduates carry a median of $11,075 in student loans. See the full Wellesley College profile
Mount St Marys College came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Based in Los Angeles, CA, Mount St Marys College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 48% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,564. Typical Film Video And Photographic Arts student debt is $27,000. More on Mount St Marys College
Texas Tech University did well this year, earning the #40 position. Texas Tech University is a public school based in Lubbock, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. The median Film Video And Photographic Arts program debt is $24,271. Read the full report on Texas Tech University
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts did well this year, earning the #41 position. Based in Winston Salem, NC, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,477, while out-of-state students pay about $27,211. The median Film Video And Photographic Arts program debt is $27,000. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts
Arizona State University Skysong placed #42 among Film Video And Photographic Arts schools in the United States. Based in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,534 to complete their Film Video And Photographic Arts program here. Read the full report on Arizona State University Skysong
University Of Tulsa came in at #43 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Tulsa, OK. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $49,546. The median Film Video And Photographic Arts program debt is $23,638. Read the full report on University Of Tulsa
Emerson College placed #44 among Film Video And Photographic Arts schools in the United States. Based in Boston, MA, Emerson College is a private not-for-profit institution. Emerson College graduates 77% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $57,056 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Read the full report on Emerson College
Loyola Marymount University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Based in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,867. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete their Film Video And Photographic Arts program here. More on Loyola Marymount University
Messiah College placed #46 among Film Video And Photographic Arts schools in the United States. Messiah College is a private not-for-profit school based in Mechanicsburg, PA. About 75% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,240. Students borrow a median of $26,195 to complete their Film Video And Photographic Arts program here. More on Messiah College
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit school based in Provo, UT. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their Film Video And Photographic Arts program here. Read more about Brigham Young University Provo
Depauw University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. Depauw University is a private not-for-profit school based in Greencastle, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,070. Graduates carry a median of $26,174 in student loans. Get the full Depauw University report
University Of Iowa ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. Located in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. University Of Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. The median Film Video And Photographic Arts program debt is $25,000. Read the full report on University Of Iowa
Huntington University placed #50 among Film Video And Photographic Arts schools in the United States. Based in Huntington, IN, Huntington University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,870. Typical Film Video And Photographic Arts student debt is $26,996. Get the full Huntington University report
John Tyler Community College placed #51 among Film Video And Photographic Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Chester, VA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete their Film Video And Photographic Arts program here. See the full John Tyler Community College profile
Taylor University ranked #52 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. Located in Upland, IN, Taylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Taylor University posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,490. Students borrow a median of $21,832 to complete their Film Video And Photographic Arts program here. See the full Taylor University profile
Best Film Video And Photographic Arts Schools by Degree Level
Compare rankings by degree level:
- Best Film Video And Photographic Arts Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Film Video And Photographic Arts Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Film Video And Photographic Arts Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Film Video And Photographic Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Film Video And Photographic Arts Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Film Video And Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Film Video And Photographic Arts Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 691 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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