Best colleges for Film/Video and Photographic Arts in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
DePaul University, Columbia College Chicago and University of Chicago award the most Film/Video and Photographic Arts degrees in Illinois: 330, 312 and 13 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 13 Illinois colleges offer Film/Video and Photographic Arts and award 727 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Film/Video and Photographic Arts program focuses on the art and practice of creating visual content through various mediums, including photography, film, and video production. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DePaul University Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,164 | 330 | 68% | $28,141 | $24,717 |
| 2 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $23,905 | 312 | 52% | $28,087 | $26,000 |
| 3 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $21,322 | 13 | 62% | — | $19,500 |
Colleges awarding the most Film/Video and Photographic Arts degrees in Illinois
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DePaul University Chicago Private not-for-profit | 330 | $26,164 |
| 2 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 312 | $23,905 |
| 3 | University of Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 13 | Not reported |
| 4 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale Public | 13 | $21,322 |
| 5 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
| 6 | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 7 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public | 5 | Not reported |
| 8 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 9 | Millikin University Decatur Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 10 | College of Lake County Grayslake Public | 2 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 3 Illinois colleges offering Film/Video and Photographic Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn | Public | 21 |
| Governors State University | University Park | Public | 3 |
| Judson University | Elgin | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Film and Video Editors (SOC 27-4032).
Top skills
What Film and Video Editors earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Film/Video and Photographic Arts degrees?+
DePaul University (330 graduates a year), Columbia College Chicago (312 graduates a year) and University of Chicago (13 graduates a year) award the most Film/Video and Photographic Arts degrees in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 13 Illinois colleges offer Film/Video and Photographic Arts.
Which Film/Video and Photographic Arts program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, DePaul University tops the list at $26,164. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Film and Video Editors earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Film and Video Editors in Illinois is $77,150 (median $72,460), across about 310 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Film/Video and Photographic Arts program?+
The Film/Video and Photographic Arts program focuses on the art and practice of creating visual content through various mediums, including photography, film, and video production. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop active listening, critical thinking, reading comprehension, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Film and Video Editors?+
The national job outlook is about +4.0% growth with around 3,600 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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