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

Acceptance Rate

91%

Annual Degrees Awarded

36

SAT Score

1,130–1,430

Est. Net Price *

$59,211

Median Starting Salary

$51,847

#2

#2 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

36

SAT Score

1,070–1,300

Est. Net Price *

$46,524

Median Starting Salary

$53,969

#3

#3 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, Music Theory and Composition, Fine/Studio Arts, and General....view more

Acceptance Rate

26%

Annual Degrees Awarded

9

SAT Score

--

Est. Net Price *

$57,288

Median Starting Salary

$55,032

#4

#4 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, Political Science and Government, General, Computer and Information Sciences, General, Cell/Cellular and......view more

Acceptance Rate

5%

Annual Degrees Awarded

10

SAT Score

1,490–1,570

Est. Net Price *

$26,044

Median Starting Salary

$44,796

#5

#5 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 89 degrees every year to Illustration majors....view more

Acceptance Rate

14%

Annual Degrees Awarded

6

SAT Score

1,370–1,530

Est. Net Price *

$42,106

Median Starting Salary

$55,718

#6

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

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Each year, Columbia College Chicago awards about 209 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

91%

Annual Degrees Awarded

9

SAT Score

--

Est. Net Price *

$29,790

Median Starting Salary

$53,431

#7

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

Maryland Institute College of Art
Baltimore, MD

Every year, Maryland Institute College of Art grants around 93 degrees to those studying Illustration, which is the school’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

78%

Annual Degrees Awarded

7

SAT Score

1,050–1,280

Est. Net Price *

$43,066

Median Starting Salary

$56,250

#8

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

University of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

Annually, the University of Hartford awards around 45 degrees to students studying Business Administration and Management, General, the institution’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Psychology, General, Mechanical Engineering, and Physical Therapy/Therapist....view more

Acceptance Rate

83%

Annual Degrees Awarded

10

SAT Score

1,110–1,290

Est. Net Price *

$30,553

Median Starting Salary

$54,385

#9

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

The New School
New York, NY

Each year, The New School awards about 240 degrees to those studying Fashion/Apparel Design, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

63%

Annual Degrees Awarded

11

SAT Score

1,170–1,370

Est. Net Price *

$62,226

Median Starting Salary

$49,833

#10

#10 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, Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation, and Mechanical Engineering. In fact, Rochester Institute of Technology awards 183 degrees per year to Computer Science majors....view more

Acceptance Rate

72%

Annual Degrees Awarded

8

SAT Score

1,300–1,460

Est. Net Price *

$39,753

Median Starting Salary

$50,983

#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, Information Science/Studies, Finance, and General. In fact, Syracuse University awards 233 degrees annually to graduating Psychology, General students....view more

Acceptance Rate

42%

Annual Degrees Awarded

5

SAT Score

1,280–1,430

Est. Net Price *

$51,520

Median Starting Salary

$53,877

#12

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

Lesley University
Cambridge, MA

Annually, Lesley University grants about 81 degrees to those majoring in Psychology, General, the school’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other, Illustration, and Digital Arts....view more

Acceptance Rate

94%

Annual Degrees Awarded

7

SAT Score

1,010–1,220

Est. Net Price *

$33,111

Median Starting Salary

$53,463

#13

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

Ohio University-Main Campus
Athens, OH

Each year, Ohio University-Main Campus grants around 1714 degrees to students studying Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, the school’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Psychology, General, Speech Communication and Rhetoric, Marketing/Marketing Management, and General....view more

Acceptance Rate

85%

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

SAT Score

1,110–1,310

Est. Net Price *

$20,550

Median Starting Salary

$52,405

#14

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

Atlantic University College
Guaynabo, PR

At Atlantic University College, the most popular majors students study are Computer Graphics, Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, Web Page, and Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design....view more

Acceptance Rate

--

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

--

Est. Net Price *

$6,305

Median Starting Salary

$45,274

#15

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

Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Each year, Temple University grants around 334 degrees to students majoring in Psychology, General, the school’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Finance, General, Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, and General....view more

Acceptance Rate

83%

Annual Degrees Awarded

2

SAT Score

1,030–1,240

Est. Net Price *

$29,641

Median Starting Salary

$54,028

#16

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

University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, IL

Every year, the University of Illinois Chicago awards about 426 degrees to those studying Biology/Biological Sciences, General, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Psychology, General, Computer Science, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse....view more

Acceptance Rate

79%

Annual Degrees Awarded

2

SAT Score

1,140–1,360

Est. Net Price *

$11,499

Median Starting Salary

$48,408

#17

#17 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, Business Administration and Management, and General....view more

Acceptance Rate

69%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

910–1,120

Est. Net Price *

$27,434

Median Starting Salary

$50,605

#18

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

Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA

At Central Washington University, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Elementary Education and Teaching, Psychology, General, and Criminal Justice/Safety Studies....view more

Acceptance Rate

90%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

930–1,160

Est. Net Price *

$15,558

Median Starting Salary

$51,420

#19

#19 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

59%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

930–1,080

Est. Net Price *

$23,930

Median Starting Salary

$49,494

#20

#20 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 Cinematography and Film/Video Production....view more

Acceptance Rate

--

Annual Degrees Awarded

34

SAT Score

--

Est. Net Price *

$36,591

Median Starting Salary

$51,847

#21

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

Cranbrook Academy of Art
Bloomfield Hills, MI

Acceptance Rate

--

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

SAT Score

--

Est. Net Price *

$0

Median Starting Salary

$51,847

#22

#22 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, Animation, Interactive Technology, and Video Graphics and Special Effects....view more

Acceptance Rate

--

Annual Degrees Awarded

7

SAT Score

--

Est. Net Price *

$50,504

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 209 Photography degrees granted each year at the Masters degree level, 38% percent of whom are men and the other 62% 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 60 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
209
Female Students
130 (62%)
Male Students
79 (37%)

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