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Film/Video and Photographic Arts Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

Film and video production programs across the country show remarkable cost variation, with the most affordable options clustering around major media markets. CUNY Hunter College leads at just $2,446 net cost while maintaining a 61% graduation rate, demonstrating that quality film education doesn't require premium pricing. The City University of New York system dominates affordable film training, placing five campuses in the top six spots with net costs under $4,000. Brooklyn College graduates earn $31,236 annually, the highest among these budget-friendly programs, reflecting New York's position as the second-largest film production center after Los Angeles. Regional schools like Ohio University's satellite campuses offer even lower tuition but face graduation rate challenges, with some locations seeing fewer than 20% of students complete their programs. Community colleges provide entry-level training for under $6,000, with Miami Dade College serving a market where film and digital media employment has grown 15% over the past five years.
50
Programs
$2,446 – $12,840
Net Price Range
$24,862
Avg. Program Earnings
47.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Film/Video and Photographic Arts Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
2 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
3 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
4 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
5 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
6 $3,830 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
7 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
8 $5,115 $7,490 32.8%
9 $5,231 $4,902 44.9% 100.0%
10 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
11 $5,920 $4,706 38.1%
12 $5,929 $2,838 44.7%
13 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
14 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
15 $6,199 $6,863 39.8% 27.6%
16 $6,305 $8,280 35.7%
17 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
18 $6,507 $5,324 52.5% 51.6%
19 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
20 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
21 $7,755 $4,197 34.0%
22 $8,327 $8,942 48.7% 96.9%
23 $8,463 $6,270 40.7%
24 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
25 $9,034 $5,580 42.7% 40.1%
26 $9,634 $8,640 36.7%
27 $10,011 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
28 $10,145 $5,068 35.4% 56.3%
29 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
30 $10,650 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
31 $10,722 $6,391 43.0%
32 $10,916 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
33 $10,988 $10,986 46.2% 87.5%
34 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
35 $11,154 $2,563 52.1%
36 $11,268 $10,026 45.9% 86.5%
37 $11,696 $4,458 19.8% 93.6%
38 $11,729 $10,920 46.3% 85.4%
39 $11,877 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
40 $12,136 $62,484 92.8% 3.7%
41 $12,168 $13,426 43.4% 82.6%
42 $12,202 $13,630 47.9% 87.9%
43 $12,209 $10,125 57.6% 62.4%
44 $12,322 $5,801 24.5% 100.0%
45 $12,372 $9,477 79.2% 31.8%
46 $12,599 $9,506 54.0% 72.5%
47 $12,638 $9,800 39.8%
48 $12,820 $27,150 70.0% 55.7%
49 $12,837 $11,988 55.9% 69.5%
50 $12,840 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY Brooklyn College stand out among affordable film programs?

Brooklyn College combines a low $2,943 net cost with the highest graduate earnings at $31,236 annually. The school maintains a 56.6% graduation rate while accepting 55% of applicants. Students graduate with an average debt load of just $13,500, well below national averages for film programs.

How do Ohio University satellite campuses compare for film studies?

Ohio University operates four regional campuses with identical $6,178 in-state tuition but vastly different outcomes. The Eastern campus sees 20% graduation rates while Lancaster struggles at 13.7%. These regional locations serve rural markets but face retention challenges common to satellite programs.

Does attending school in New York provide career advantages for film students?

New York hosts six of the most affordable film programs nationally, with CUNY schools offering net costs between $2,446 and $5,115. The city's media industry employs over 200,000 workers across television, film, and digital content production. Hunter College and Brooklyn College graduates enter this market with minimal debt and strong networking opportunities.

Is community college a viable path for film and video training?

Several community colleges offer film programs under $6,000, including Miami Dade College at $5,929 net cost and Bluegrass Community and Technical College at $5,920. Miami Dade maintains a 44.7% graduation rate in a market with growing digital media demand. These programs typically focus on technical skills and equipment training rather than theory-heavy curricula.

Where can students find the lowest total costs for film education?

CUNY Hunter College offers the absolute lowest net price at $2,446 while maintaining above-average outcomes. California State University-Dominguez Hills provides West Coast access for $3,659, though with lower graduation rates at 46.9%. The Escuela de Artes Plasticas in Puerto Rico charges just $4,902 in-state tuition with guaranteed admission.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.