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#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 290 degrees to students majoring in Illustration, the institution’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

93%

Annual Degrees Awarded

41

SAT Score

1,210–1,420

Median Starting Salary

$51,847

#2

#2 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 Illustration, Systems Science and Theory, and Computer Graphics. In fact, Rhode Island School of Design awards 101 degrees every year to Illustration majors....view more

Acceptance Rate

19%

Annual Degrees Awarded

7

SAT Score

1,400–1,530

Median Starting Salary

$55,718

#3

#3 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,......view more

Acceptance Rate

4%

Annual Degrees Awarded

10

SAT Score

1,470–1,570

Median Starting Salary

$44,796

#4

#4 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

21

SAT Score

1,070–1,300

Median Starting Salary

$53,969

#5

#5 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

7

SAT Score

--

Median Starting Salary

$55,032

#6

#6 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, and Illustration....view more

Acceptance Rate

100%

Annual Degrees Awarded

28

SAT Score

--

Median Starting Salary

$51,847

#7

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

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Each year, Columbia College Chicago awards about 236 degrees to those majoring in Cinematography and Film/Video Production, which is the school’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

75%

Annual Degrees Awarded

8

SAT Score

--

Median Starting Salary

$53,431

#8

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

The New School
New York, NY

Each year, The New School awards about 248 degrees to those studying Fashion/Apparel Design, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

83%

Annual Degrees Awarded

18

SAT Score

1,170–1,370

Median Starting Salary

$49,833

#9

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

University of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

Annually, the University of Hartford awards around 57 degrees to students studying Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, the institution’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

96%

Annual Degrees Awarded

8

SAT Score

1,130–1,320

Median Starting Salary

$54,385

#10

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

Maryland Institute College of Art
Baltimore, MD

Every year, Maryland Institute College of Art grants around 98 degrees to those studying Illustration, which is the school’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

77%

Annual Degrees Awarded

5

SAT Score

1,060–1,290

Median Starting Salary

$56,250

#11

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

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

At Syracuse University, the most popular majors students pursue are Psychology, General, Finance, General, and Information Science/Studies. In fact, Syracuse University awards 220 degrees annually to graduating Psychology, General students....view more

Acceptance Rate

46%

Annual Degrees Awarded

7

SAT Score

1,290–1,440

Median Starting Salary

$53,877

#12

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

Lesley University
Cambridge, MA

Annually, Lesley University grants about 46 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 Digital Arts, Psychology, General, and Art Therapy/Therapist....view more

Acceptance Rate

94%

Annual Degrees Awarded

5

SAT Score

1,040–1,240

Median Starting Salary

$53,463

#13

#13 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 208 degrees per year to Computer Science majors....view more

Acceptance Rate

67%

Annual Degrees Awarded

4

SAT Score

1,280–1,460

Median Starting Salary

$50,983

#14

#14 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, Finance, General, Marketing/Marketing Management, and General....view more

Acceptance Rate

80%

Annual Degrees Awarded

2

SAT Score

1,130–1,370

Median Starting Salary

$54,028

#15

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

Ohio University-Main Campus
Athens, OH

Each year, Ohio University-Main Campus grants around 1212 degrees to students studying Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, the school’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Psychology, General, Marketing/Marketing Management, General, and Speech Communication and Rhetoric....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.

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Every year, Wichita State University grants about 222 degrees to those studying Elementary Education and Teaching, the institution’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

72%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

970–1,220

Median Starting Salary

$50,183

#17

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

Barry University
Miami, FL

At Barry University, the most popular majors students study are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Business Administration and Management, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, and General....view more

Acceptance Rate

77%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

910–1,120

Median Starting Salary

$49,494

#18

#18 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, and Cinematography and Film/Video Production. In fact, Atlantic University awards 157 degrees annually to Computer Graphics majors....view more

Acceptance Rate

100%

Annual Degrees Awarded

4

SAT Score

--

Median Starting Salary

$45,274

#19

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

Cranbrook Academy of Art
Bloomfield Hills, MI

Acceptance Rate

--

Annual Degrees Awarded

5

SAT Score

--

Median Starting Salary

$51,847

#20

#20 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 Photography. In fact, New York Film Academy awards 107 degrees every year to graduating Cinematography and Film/Video Production students....view more

Acceptance Rate

52%

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

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 188 Photography degrees granted each year at the Masters degree level, 41% percent of whom are men and the other 59% 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 70 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.
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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
188
Female Students
110 (58%)
Male Students
78 (41%)

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