Best Value Film/Video and Photographic Arts Colleges in Washington

Washington's film programs show striking cost differences, with Olympic College charging just $7,755 annually while Seattle Film Institute reaches $41,429. University of Washington-Seattle graduates earn $33,993, the highest in the state, benefiting from the region's tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft that increasingly need video content creators. The state's nine programs range from affordable community college options to specialized arts institutions, with graduation rates spanning from 34% to nearly 89%.

Programs

$7,755 – $41,429

Net Price Range

$27,925

Avg. Program Earnings

63.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

9 Film/Video and Photographic Arts Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$33,993	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
2	Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington	$14,715	$28,960	$9,192	49.9%	93.5%
3	Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington	$13,091	$23,807	$8,353	47.2%	96.1%
4	Seattle University Seattle, Washington	$34,802	$27,669	$54,285	73.3%	85.2%
5	Whitman College Walla Walla, Washington	$35,506	$25,194	$61,492	81.0%	47.7%
6	Cornish College of the Arts Seattle, Washington	$39,060		$39,913	52.0%	71.1%
7	Olympic College Bremerton, Washington	$7,755		$4,197	34.0%
8	Seattle Pacific University Seattle, Washington	$24,820		$38,814	62.1%	90.7%
9	Seattle Film Institute Seattle, Washington	$41,429		$33,000	88.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge earnings gap between Washington film programs?

University of Washington-Seattle graduates earn $33,993 compared to Eastern Washington's $23,807, a $10,000+ difference. The Seattle location provides access to major employers and higher-paying creative industries, while smaller markets typically offer fewer high-salary opportunities.

How do public and private film programs compare in Washington?

Public universities offer significantly better value, with UW-Seattle costing $13,485 net while producing the highest earnings at $33,993. Private options like Whitman College charge $35,506 but graduates earn just $25,194, creating a poor return on investment.

Does Seattle Film Institute justify its $41,429 cost?

Despite being the most expensive program in Washington, Seattle Film Institute lacks published earnings data, making it impossible to assess value. The 88.9% graduation rate is encouraging, but students should research job placement outcomes before committing to this investment.

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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.