Best colleges for Film/Video and Photographic Arts in Michigan
Ranked by graduate earnings
Western Michigan University, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and Grand Valley State University are the top bachelor's Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs in Michigan by graduate earnings. Western Michigan University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $26,502, College Scorecard. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Grand Valley State University and Motion Picture Institute award the most Film/Video and Photographic Arts degrees in Michigan: 92, 64 and 50 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 25 Michigan colleges offer Film/Video and Photographic Arts and award 444 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 7 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 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,502 | 22 | 58% | — | $27,000 |
| 2 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,565 | 92 | 93% | — | $19,760 |
| 3 | Grand Valley State University Allendale Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,256 | 64 | 67% | — | $25,899 |
| 4 | College for Creative Studies Detroit Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $24,350 | 23 | 71% | $32,153 | $27,000 |
| 5 | Oakland University Rochester Hills Public · Bachelor's degree | $22,011 | 24 | 58% | — | $27,000 |
| 6 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $27,348 | 2 | 46% | — | $27,000 |
| 7 | Calvin University Grand Rapids Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $15,906 | 15 | 74% | $22,391 | $20,928 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DSDT Detroit Private for-profit · Certificate | $27,870 | 34 | 41% | $24,540 | $9,830 |
Colleges awarding the most Film/Video and Photographic Arts degrees in Michigan
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 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Public | 92 | $25,565 |
| 2 | Grand Valley State University Allendale Public | 64 | $25,256 |
| 3 | Motion Picture Institute Troy Private for-profit | 50 | Not reported |
| 4 | Oakland University Rochester Hills Public | 24 | $22,011 |
| 5 | College for Creative Studies Detroit Private not-for-profit | 23 | $24,350 |
| 6 | Wayne State University Detroit Public | 22 | Not reported |
| 7 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo Public | 22 | $26,502 |
| 8 | Calvin University Grand Rapids Private not-for-profit | 15 | $15,906 |
| 9 | Michigan State University East Lansing Public | 14 | Not reported |
| 10 | Mott Community College Flint Public | 12 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 15 Michigan colleges offering Film/Video and Photographic Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| DSDT | Detroit | Private for-profit | 34 |
| Oakland Community College | Auburn Hills | Public | 17 |
| Madonna University | Livonia | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Delta College | University Center | Public | 8 |
| Cranbrook Academy of Art (Graduate only) | Bloomfield Hills | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Montcalm Community College | Sidney | Public | 6 |
| Northern Michigan University | Marquette | Public | 6 |
| Adrian College | Adrian | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Central Michigan University | Mount Pleasant | Public | 3 |
| Ferris State University | Big Rapids | Public | 3 |
| Grand Rapids Community College | Grand Rapids | Public | 3 |
| Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti | Public | 2 |
| Spring Arbor University | Spring Arbor | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Andrews University | Berrien Springs | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Cornerstone University | Grand Rapids | 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 Michigan
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs in Michigan.
Which Michigan colleges award the most Film/Video and Photographic Arts degrees?+
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (92 graduates a year), Grand Valley State University (64 graduates a year) and Motion Picture Institute (50 graduates a year) award the most Film/Video and Photographic Arts degrees in Michigan, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 25 Michigan colleges offer Film/Video and Photographic Arts.
What is the best college for Film/Video and Photographic Arts in Michigan?+
By graduate earnings, Western Michigan University leads among bachelor's Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs in Michigan, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $26,502, College Scorecard. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and Grand Valley State University follow. By degrees awarded, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is the largest, with 92 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Film/Video and Photographic Arts program in Michigan has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Western Michigan University tops the list at $26,502. 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 Michigan?+
The average annual wage for Film and Video Editors in Michigan is $72,270 (median $59,100), across about 360 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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