Cheapest Film/Video and Photographic Arts Colleges in New York

Brooklyn College graduates in Film/Video and Photographic Arts earn $31,236 annually, nearly double the $17,652 starting salary at Five Towns College despite similar net costs around $20,000. The CUNY system dominates New York's most affordable film programs, with Hunter College offering the lowest net price at just $2,446 for students pursuing careers in an industry where the state employs over 45,000 media professionals. Public institutions claim 13 of the 15 cheapest spots, creating a stark divide between CUNY schools under $6,000 and private alternatives exceeding $13,000. Purchase College stands out among SUNY schools with specialized film facilities and industry connections, though its $19,067 net cost reflects premium positioning. Graduation rates vary dramatically from Staten Island's 32.8% to Cortland's 68.2%, suggesting program structure significantly impacts student success beyond mere affordability.

Programs

$2,446 – $58,628

Net Price Range

$26,693

Avg. Program Earnings

66.8%

Avg. Graduation Rate

38 Film/Video and Photographic Arts Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	CUNY Hunter College New York, New York	$2,446	$7,382	61.0%	47.9%
2	CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, New York	$2,943	$7,452	56.6%	54.5%
3	CUNY Lehman College Bronx, New York	$3,482	$7,410	49.3%	55.3%
4	CUNY City College New York, New York	$3,486	$7,340	54.7%	66.6%
5	CUNY Queens College Queens, New York	$3,830	$7,538	60.2%	69.5%
6	College of Staten Island CUNY Staten Island, New York	$5,115	$7,490	32.8%
7	Villa Maria College Buffalo, New York	$13,980	$28,670	31.0%	78.2%
8	SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, New York	$14,229	$8,486	36.0%	86.0%
9	SUNY at Fredonia Fredonia, New York	$15,644	$8,771	53.5%	84.6%
10	State University of New York at Oswego Oswego, New York	$17,231	$8,769	60.4%	82.6%
11	State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, New York	$18,481	$8,524	68.9%	58.3%
12	SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, New York	$19,067	$8,953	61.6%	74.7%
13	State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, New York	$19,951	$8,815	68.2%	59.8%
14	University at Buffalo Buffalo, New York	$20,470	$10,782	73.4%	67.7%
15	Five Towns College Dix Hills, New York	$20,799	$29,950	49.0%	58.3%
16	Binghamton University Vestal, New York	$21,364	$10,363	83.6%	41.8%
17	Fashion Institute of Technology New York, New York	$22,024	$6,170	83.3%	52.8%
18	Wells College Aurora, New York	$22,921	$35,166	40.9%	87.7%
19	Long Island University Brookville, New York	$23,901	$41,642	55.4%	92.7%
20	Manhattanville College Purchase, New York	$25,842	$42,950	53.7%	84.1%
21	St. John's University-New York Queens, New York	$26,985	$50,110	68.5%	84.7%
22	Wagner College Staten Island, New York	$27,733	$52,000	68.1%	68.5%
23	Hamilton College Clinton, New York	$28,314	$65,740	91.3%	11.8%
24	Colgate University Hamilton, New York	$29,107	$67,024	90.5%	12.4%
25	Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, New York	$29,694	$57,016	70.8%	67.2%
26	University of Rochester Rochester, New York	$30,248	$64,348	84.5%	38.9%
27	Pace University New York, New York	$31,046	$51,424	61.4%	82.9%
28	Cornell University Ithaca, New York	$32,337	$66,014	95.1%	7.5%
29	Ithaca College Ithaca, New York	$32,965	$50,510	74.1%	75.2%
30	New York University New York, New York	$35,035	$60,438	88.5%	12.5%
31	Marymount Manhattan College New York, New York	$37,037	$40,260	49.8%	72.1%
32	Vassar College Poughkeepsie, New York	$38,182	$67,805	89.1%	18.7%
33	Barnard College New York, New York	$39,253	$66,246	92.9%	8.8%
34	Syracuse University Syracuse, New York	$41,026	$63,061	81.4%	51.8%
35	Fordham University Bronx, New York	$42,581	$61,992	80.3%	54.1%
36	Pratt Institute-Main Brooklyn, New York	$50,647	$59,683	72.7%	50.5%
37	The New School New York, New York	$55,359	$56,386	71.2%	57.2%
38	School of Visual Arts New York, New York	$58,628	$49,140	74.9%	87.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY schools so affordable for film students?

CUNY institutions like Hunter College and Brooklyn College offer net prices between $2,446 and $3,830, primarily due to state funding and TAP grant eligibility for New York residents. These schools maintain low in-state tuition around $7,400 while providing access to NYC's media industry. The CUNY system serves over 270,000 students across five boroughs, creating economies of scale that keep costs manageable.

How do graduation rates compare between affordable film programs?

Graduation rates span from Staten Island's 32.8% to University at Buffalo's 73.4%, showing significant variation even among public schools. CUNY institutions typically graduate between 49% and 61% of film students, while SUNY schools like Cortland achieve 68.2% completion rates. These differences often reflect admission selectivity, with more competitive programs like New Paltz (58.27% acceptance) maintaining higher graduation standards than open-access institutions.

Does location within New York affect film program value?

NYC-based programs like Hunter College provide direct access to major studios, production companies, and media outlets concentrated in Manhattan and Brooklyn. However, upstate schools like Purchase College offer specialized facilities at $19,067 net cost while maintaining industry connections. Buffalo and Rochester regions support growing film industries with lower living costs, making SUNY Buffalo State's $14,229 net price particularly attractive for budget-conscious students.

What earnings can graduates expect from affordable New York film programs?

Brooklyn College graduates earn the highest starting salaries at $31,236, followed by New Paltz at $26,353 and Buffalo at $26,489. These figures reflect New York's media job market, where entry-level positions in film and photography often start above national averages. However, Five Towns College graduates begin at just $17,652 despite higher program costs, highlighting the importance of institutional reputation and industry connections over tuition price alone.

How does student debt vary among New York's cheapest film programs?

Students at Purchase College typically graduate with $25,695 in debt, the highest among affordable options, while Brooklyn College graduates carry just $13,500 in loans. SUNY schools generally produce moderate debt levels around $18,000 to $23,000, reflecting their balance of reasonable tuition and living expenses. CUNY institutions often result in minimal borrowing due to extremely low net costs and urban students living at home.

More Film/Video and Photographic Arts Rankings

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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.