2026 Best Film Video And Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Film Video And Photographic Arts master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 691 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is American University, our #1 Film Video And Photographic Arts school in the United States. American University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. Typical Film Video And Photographic Arts student debt is $23,250. Read the full report on American University
Sacred Heart University came in at #2 on this year's Film Video And Photographic Arts ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fairfield, CT. Sacred Heart University graduates 74% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $50,404. Typical Film Video And Photographic Arts student debt is $25,831. More on Sacred Heart University
You'll be in good company at American Film Institute Conservatory, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Los Angeles, CA, American Film Institute Conservatory is a private not-for-profit institution. More on American Film Institute Conservatory
You'll be in good company at National University, which ranked #4 this year. Located in San Diego, CA, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. National University posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,284. Graduates carry a median of $30,426 in student loans. More on National University
The strong Film Video And Photographic Arts programs at Northwestern University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Set 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. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read the full report on Northwestern University
Mount St Marys College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Mount St Marys College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 48% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $49,564. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Film Video And Photographic Arts program here. See the full Mount St Marys College profile
Academy Of Art University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Located in San Francisco, CA, Academy Of Art University is a private for-profit institution. About 34% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $30,736 in tuition and fees. Typical Film Video And Photographic Arts student debt is $34,571. More on Academy Of Art University
Florida State University placed #8 among Film Video And Photographic Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Tallahassee, FL. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,476 in student loans. See the full Florida State University profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #9 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. The median Film Video And Photographic Arts program debt is $23,258. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Southern California placed #10 among Film Video And Photographic Arts schools in the United States. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Students borrow a median of $21,687 to complete their Film Video And Photographic Arts program here. See the full University Of Southern California profile
Syracuse University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. Located in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Film Video And Photographic Arts program here. More on Syracuse University
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. The median Film Video And Photographic Arts program debt is $19,000. Read the full report on University Of California Los Angeles
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Provo, UT. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Typical Film Video And Photographic Arts student debt is $12,000. More on Brigham Young University Provo
Loyola Marymount University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. About 79% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,867. Graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read the full report on Loyola Marymount University
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Set in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Typical Film Video And Photographic Arts student debt is $15,000. See the full University Of California Santa Barbara profile
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts did well this year, earning the #16 position. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a public school based in Winston Salem, NC. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts graduates 78% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,477, compared with $27,211 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts
New York University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. Based in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete their Film Video And Photographic Arts program here. See the full New York University profile
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Based in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. The median Film Video And Photographic Arts program debt is $22,500. Get the full Ohio State University Main Campus report
University Of Iowa landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Iowa City, IA. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. University Of Iowa Film Video And Photographic Arts students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. See the full University Of Iowa profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #20 among Film Video And Photographic Arts schools in the United States. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. University Of Washington Seattle Campus Film Video And Photographic Arts students take on a median of $16,481 in debt. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Rochester Institute Of Technology ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Rochester, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. Typical Film Video And Photographic Arts student debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Rochester Institute Of Technology
Regent University landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Set in Virginia Beach, VA, Regent University is a private not-for-profit institution. Regent University graduates 58% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Typical Film Video And Photographic Arts student debt is $29,451. See the full Regent University profile
University Of Central Florida landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. University Of Central Florida is a public school based in Orlando, FL. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. University Of Central Florida Film Video And Photographic Arts students take on a median of $21,375 in debt. More on University Of Central Florida
Sonoma State University landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Based in Rohnert Park, CA, Sonoma State University is a public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Graduates carry a median of $18,031 in student loans. More on Sonoma State University
University Of Kansas did well this year, earning the #25 position. This public school is set in Lawrence, KS. About 69% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete their Film Video And Photographic Arts program here. See the full University Of Kansas profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Film Video And Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Yale University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Located in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Read more about Yale University
Chapman University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Orange, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,984. Chapman University Film Video And Photographic Arts students take on a median of $19,123 in debt. Read more about Chapman University
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #28 among Film Video And Photographic Arts schools in the United States. Set in Brooklyn, NY, Cuny Brooklyn College is a public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Graduates carry a median of $13,622 in student loans. Get the full Cuny Brooklyn College report
Maryland Institute College Of Art placed #29 among Film Video And Photographic Arts schools in the United States. Located in Baltimore, MD, Maryland Institute College Of Art is a private not-for-profit institution. Maryland Institute College Of Art graduates 72% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,800. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about Maryland Institute College Of Art
Johns Hopkins University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Read the full report on Johns Hopkins University
Temple University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. This public school is set in Philadelphia, PA. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Film Video And Photographic Arts program here. More on Temple University
The University Of Montana placed #32 among Film Video And Photographic Arts schools in the United States. Located in Missoula, MT, The University Of Montana is a public institution. The University Of Montana posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Graduates carry a median of $26,400 in student loans. Read the full report on The University Of Montana
University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. This public school is set in Columbia, SC. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates 79% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. See the full University Of South Carolina Columbia profile
Lipscomb University landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Located in Nashville, TN, Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lipscomb University graduates 72% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,572. Lipscomb University Film Video And Photographic Arts students take on a median of $23,529 in debt. More on Lipscomb University
Central Michigan University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Located in Mount Pleasant, MI, Central Michigan University is a public institution. Central Michigan University graduates 59% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. Read the full report on Central Michigan University
Savannah College Of Art And Design did well this year, earning the #36 position. Set in Savannah, GA, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Students from in state pay about $41,630 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Savannah College Of Art And Design report
Montana State University landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Montana State University is a public school based in Bozeman, MT. About 57% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Typical Film Video And Photographic Arts student debt is $24,495. Read the full report on Montana State University
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public school based in Chicago, IL. University Of Illinois At Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. University Of Illinois At Chicago Film Video And Photographic Arts students take on a median of $20,115 in debt. More on University Of Illinois At Chicago
Central Washington University came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Set in Ellensburg, WA, Central Washington University is a public institution. Central Washington University graduates 54% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,417 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. The median Film Video And Photographic Arts program debt is $23,000. Read more about Central Washington University
California College Of The Arts placed #40 among Film Video And Photographic Arts schools in the United States. California College Of The Arts is a private not-for-profit school based in San Francisco, CA. California College Of The Arts graduates 61% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,226. Typical Film Video And Photographic Arts student debt is $27,594. Read more about California College Of The Arts
University Of Nevada Las Vegas did well this year, earning the #41 position. This public school is set in Las Vegas, NV. About 50% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. See the full University Of Nevada Las Vegas profile
San Diego State University came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Located in San Diego, CA, San Diego State University is a public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical Film Video And Photographic Arts student debt is $16,417. Read more about San Diego State University
University Of Central Arkansas ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. Set in Conway, AR, University Of Central Arkansas is a public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Typical Film Video And Photographic Arts student debt is $22,983. See the full University Of Central Arkansas profile
New Jersey City University came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Located in Jersey City, NJ, New Jersey City University is a public institution. New Jersey City University graduates 34% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Graduates carry a median of $22,107 in student loans. More on New Jersey City University
University Of Utah did well this year, earning the #45 position. This public school is set in Salt Lake City, UT. University Of Utah posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. The median Film Video And Photographic Arts program debt is $24,063. Read the full report on University Of Utah
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a public school based in Boston, MA. About 69% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,400, with out-of-state students paying around $43,400. The median Film Video And Photographic Arts program debt is $25,965. Read more about Massachusetts College Of Art And Design
School Of Visual Arts did well this year, earning the #47 position. School Of Visual Arts is a private for-profit school based in New York, NY. About 76% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $51,400. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read the full report on School Of Visual Arts
Rhode Island School Of Design ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. Located in Providence, RI, Rhode Island School Of Design is a private not-for-profit institution. Rhode Island School Of Design graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,688. The median Film Video And Photographic Arts program debt is $27,000. See the full Rhode Island School Of Design profile
University Of Rochester ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Film Video And Photographic Arts schools. Based in Rochester, NY, University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,080. Typical Film Video And Photographic Arts student debt is $21,517. More on University Of Rochester
San Francisco State University did well this year, earning the #50 position. Set in San Francisco, CA, San Francisco State University is a public institution. San Francisco State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. San Francisco State University Film Video And Photographic Arts students take on a median of $17,850 in debt. Read more about San Francisco State University
Related Film Video And Photographic Arts Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Film Video And Photographic Arts Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced 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).