NEW 2026 Best Colleges Rankings!

NEW 2026 Hidden Gem Colleges!

Search for a different college major

Photography

Select Type of Degree:

Select State:


#1 #1 Best College for Photography in the U.S. School of Visual Arts New York, NY Each year, the School of Visual Arts awards about 239 degrees to students majoring in Illustration, the institution’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design, Computer Graphics, and Photography....view more Acceptance Rate 93% Annual Degrees Awarded 42 SAT Score 1,210–1,420 Median Starting Salary $51,847
#2 #2 Best College for Photography in the U.S. Yale University New Haven, CT Yale offers students seventy possible majors, which must be declared by sophomore or junior years, but students are always welcome to change. Some of the top majors currently are Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Computer and Information Sciences, General, Political Science and Government, General, History, General,......view more Acceptance Rate 4% Annual Degrees Awarded 10 SAT Score 1,470–1,570 Median Starting Salary $44,796
#3 #3 Best College for Photography in the U.S. Rhode Island School of Design Providence, RI At Rhode Island School of Design, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Systems Science and Theory, Illustration, and Computer Graphics. In fact, Rhode Island School of Design awards 92 degrees every year to Systems Science and Theory majors....view more Acceptance Rate 19% Annual Degrees Awarded 10 SAT Score 1,400–1,530 Median Starting Salary $55,718
#4 #4 Best College for Photography in the U.S. Atlantic University Guaynabo, PR At Atlantic University, the most popular majors students study are Computer Graphics, Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design, Animation, Interactive Technology, and Video Graphics and Special Effects....view more Acceptance Rate 100% Annual Degrees Awarded 18 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $45,274
#5 #5 Best College for Photography in the U.S. Academy of Art University San Francisco, CA At Academy of Art University, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation, Drafting and Design Technology/Technician, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 100% Annual Degrees Awarded 43 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $51,847
#6 #6 Best College for Photography in the U.S. Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GA At Savannah College of Art and Design, the most popular majors students pursue are Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, Illustration, and Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia....view more Acceptance Rate 84% Annual Degrees Awarded 19 SAT Score 1,080–1,280 Median Starting Salary $53,969
#7 #7 Best College for Photography in the U.S. The New School New York, NY Each year, The New School awards about 230 degrees to those studying Fashion/Apparel Design, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design, Fine and Studio Arts Management, and Illustration....view more Acceptance Rate 83% Annual Degrees Awarded 12 SAT Score 1,170–1,370 Median Starting Salary $49,833
#8 #8 Best College for Photography in the U.S. Maryland Institute College of Art Baltimore, MD Every year, Maryland Institute College of Art grants around 90 degrees to those studying Illustration, which is the school’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 77% Annual Degrees Awarded 8 SAT Score 1,060–1,350 Median Starting Salary $56,250
#9 #9 Best College for Photography in the U.S. California Institute of the Arts Valencia, CA At California Institute of the Arts, the most popular majors students pursue are Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, Acting, Fine/Studio Arts, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 26% Annual Degrees Awarded 8 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $55,032
#10 #10 Best College for Photography in the U.S. University of Hartford West Hartford, CT Annually, the University of Hartford awards around 61 degrees to students studying Psychology, General, the institution’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General, and Mechanical Engineering....view more Acceptance Rate 96% Annual Degrees Awarded 10 SAT Score 1,130–1,320 Median Starting Salary $54,385
#11 #11 Best College for Photography in the U.S. New York Film Academy Burbank, CA At New York Film Academy, the most popular majors students study are Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Acting, and Playwriting and Screenwriting. In fact, New York Film Academy awards 105 degrees every year to graduating Cinematography and Film/Video Production students....view more Acceptance Rate 52% Annual Degrees Awarded 6 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $51,847
#12 #12 Best College for Photography in the U.S. Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY At Rochester Institute of Technology, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Modeling, and Virtual Environments and Simulation. In fact, Rochester Institute of Technology awards 195 degrees per year to Computer Science majors....view more Acceptance Rate 67% Annual Degrees Awarded 6 SAT Score 1,280–1,460 Median Starting Salary $50,983
#13 #13 Best College for Photography in the U.S. Lesley University Cambridge, MA Annually, Lesley University grants about 47 degrees to those majoring in Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other, the school’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Psychology, General, Digital Arts, and Illustration....view more Acceptance Rate 94% Annual Degrees Awarded 6 SAT Score 1,040–1,240 Median Starting Salary $53,463
#14 #14 Best College for Photography in the U.S. Syracuse University Syracuse, NY At Syracuse University, the most popular majors students pursue are Psychology, General, Sport and Fitness Administration/Management, and Information Science/Studies. In fact, Syracuse University awards 233 degrees annually to graduating Psychology, General students....view more Acceptance Rate 46% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,290–1,440 Median Starting Salary $53,877
#15 #15 Best College for Photography in the U.S. Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, OH Each year, Ohio University-Main Campus grants around 1396 degrees to students studying Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, the school’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Psychology, General, Marketing/Marketing Management, General, Finance, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 85% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 1,110–1,310 Median Starting Salary $52,405
#16 #16 Best College for Photography in the U.S. Temple University Philadelphia, PA Each year, Temple University grants around 355 degrees to students majoring in Psychology, General, the school’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Marketing/Marketing Management, General, Finance, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 80% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,130–1,370 Median Starting Salary $54,028
#17 #17 Best College for Photography in the U.S. Columbia College Chicago Chicago, IL Each year, Columbia College Chicago awards about 212 degrees to those majoring in Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, which is the school’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 75% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $53,431
#18 #18 Best College for Photography in the U.S. Mount Saint Mary's University Los Angeles, CA At Mount Saint Mary's University, the three most popular college majors students study are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Psychology, General, and Sociology. In fact, Mount Saint Mary's University awards 172 degrees annually to graduating Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse students....view more Acceptance Rate 73% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 910–1,120 Median Starting Salary $50,605
#19 #19 Best College for Photography in the U.S. University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth North Dartmouth, MA At the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, the most popular majors students pursue are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Other, Psychology, General, and Criminology....view more Acceptance Rate 91% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,070–1,280 Median Starting Salary $50,555
#20 #20 Best College for Photography in the U.S. Cranbrook Academy of Art Bloomfield Hills, MI Acceptance Rate -- Annual Degrees Awarded 6 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $51,847
*The estimated net prices above are College Raptor’s estimate. Please contact the college financial aid office for actual net cost figures.

About Photography

A program that focuses on the principles and techniques of communicating information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the creation of images on photographic film, plates, and digital images and that may prepare individuals to be professional photographic artists. Includes instruction in camera and equipment operation and maintenance, film and plate developing, light and composition, films and printing media, color and special effects, photographic art, photographic history, use of computer applications to record or enhance images and applications to the photography of various subjects.

Of the 215 Photography degrees granted each year at the Masters degree level, 47% percent of whom are men and the other 53% percent are women. Did you know that New York has more students being granted a degree in Photography than any other state? In fact, New York granted 62 degrees last year! The average annual income for a graduate with a bachelor's degree in Photography is $38,000.

Popularity of Photography Degrees in the U.S.

This heat map represents the states that have the highest percent of Photography degrees compared to all other degrees awarded in that state.

Less Popular

More Popular

Careers

The highest paying careers for Photography majors include Art, Drama Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Photographers . However, another thing to think about is how much demand there is for certain jobs. Jobs that are in high need that a degree in Photography can prepare you for are Art, Drama Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Photographers .

Top Paying Careers

These are the highest paying careers for Photography majors.

Most In-Demand Careers

These are the careers in highest demand for Photography majors.

Student Demographics

Total Students

215

Female Students

114 (53%)

Male Students

101 (46%)

Resources for:

Articles

Resources for:

Photography

#1 Best College for Photography in the U.S.

93%

42

1,210–1,420

$51,847

#2 Best College for Photography in the U.S.

4%

10

1,470–1,570

$44,796

#3 Best College for Photography in the U.S.

19%

10

1,400–1,530

$55,718

#4 Best College for Photography in the U.S.

100%

18

--

$45,274

#5 Best College for Photography in the U.S.

100%

43

--

$51,847

#6 Best College for Photography in the U.S.

84%

19

1,080–1,280

$53,969

#7 Best College for Photography in the U.S.

83%

12

1,170–1,370

$49,833

#8 Best College for Photography in the U.S.

77%

8

1,060–1,350

$56,250

#9 Best College for Photography in the U.S.

26%

8

--

$55,032

#10 Best College for Photography in the U.S.

96%

10

1,130–1,320

$54,385

#11 Best College for Photography in the U.S.

52%

6

--

$51,847

#12 Best College for Photography in the U.S.

67%

6

1,280–1,460

$50,983

#13 Best College for Photography in the U.S.

94%

6

1,040–1,240

$53,463

#14 Best College for Photography in the U.S.

46%

2

1,290–1,440

$53,877

#15 Best College for Photography in the U.S.

85%

3

1,110–1,310

$52,405

#16 Best College for Photography in the U.S.

80%

1

1,130–1,370