Best colleges for Film/Video and Photographic Arts
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Film/Video and Photographic Arts by graduate earnings are Tufts University ($56,418), Utah Valley University ($41,833) and Rutgers University - New Brunswick ($38,508), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Tufts University (Medford, MA): $56,418, 32 graduates a year
- Utah Valley University (Orem, UT): $41,833, 166 graduates a year
- Rutgers University - New Brunswick (New Brunswick, NJ): $38,508, 44 graduates a year
- Fordham University (Bronx, NY): $36,704, 56 graduates a year
- Chapman University (Orange, CA): $35,795, 239 graduates a year
Compare 586 U.S. colleges offering Film/Video and Photographic Arts by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 49 states.
Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $25,014 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 50.06 and the Film and Video Editors occupation (BLS SOC).
About Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs
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 the technical and creative aspects of visual storytelling, whether for artistic, commercial, or recreational purposes.
Students in this program gain core skills in areas such as cinematography, editing, and documentary production. Coursework typically covers essential topics in communications, fine arts, and technology, equipping students with the knowledge needed to succeed in the visual arts industry.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Tufts University Medford, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $56,418 | 32 | 94% | $23,570 | — |
| 2 | Utah Valley University Orem, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,833 | 166 | 45% | — | — |
| 3 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,508 | 44 | 84% | — | $23,250 |
| 4 | Fordham University Bronx, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,704 | 56 | 82% | $38,931 | $25,000 |
| 5 | Chapman University Orange, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,795 | 239 | 82% | $42,965 | $19,123 |
| 6 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,485 | 58 | 84% | $26,589 | $18,500 |
| 7 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $34,187 | 353 | 92% | $26,873 | $21,687 |
| 8 | Texas State University San Marcos, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,610 | 20 | 55% | — | $26,864 |
| 9 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,126 | 23 | 75% | — | $24,000 |
| 10 | Lesley University Cambridge, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,846 | 23 | 58% | $30,837 | $26,974 |
| 11 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,689 | 51 | 86% | — | $20,476 |
| 12 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,148 | 183 | 68% | — | $20,534 |
| 13 | Seattle Film Institute Seattle, WA Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,789 | 27 | 57% | $41,903 | $24,000 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,697 | 82 | 86% | — | $23,250 |
| 15 | Occidental College Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,526 | 26 | 81% | $28,024 | $20,804 |
| 16 | Belmont University Nashville, TN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,188 | 46 | 71% | $29,246 | $20,500 |
| 17 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,958 | 35 | 85% | — | $19,875 |
| 18 | George Fox University Newberg, OR Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,745 | 21 | 72% | $26,564 | $23,625 |
| 19 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,696 | 110 | 93% | — | $19,000 |
| 20 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,634 | 48 | 73% | — | $22,500 |
| 21 | University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,613 | 27 | 75% | — | $19,833 |
| 22 | Montana State University Bozeman, MT Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,608 | 77 | 57% | — | $24,495 |
| 23 | Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,253 | 68 | 76% | $36,137 | $24,864 |
| 24 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,094 | 88 | 43% | $21,535 | $28,625 |
| 25 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,011 | 141 | 93% | — | $15,693 |
Top 2 certificate and associate programs
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, MI Private for-profit · Certificate | $27,870 | 34 | 41% | $24,540 | $9,830 |
| 2 | Metropolitan Community College Area Omaha, NE Public · Associate degree Small program | $39,877 | 15 | 29% | — | — |
Specializations within Film/Video and Photographic Arts
5 of the 5 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 50.06 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Cinematography and Film/CIP 50.0602
Video Production 9,799 graduates / yr287 institutions44 states - Film/CIP 50.0601
Cinema/ Media Studies 5,237 graduates / yr219 institutions42 states - PhotographyCIP 50.06052,071 graduates / yr189 institutions40 states
- Film/CIP 50.0699
Video and Photographic Arts 1,438 graduates / yr38 institutions17 states - Documentary ProductionCIP 50.0607135 graduates / yr13 institutions9 states
Offered across 49 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-4032, Film and Video Editors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Film/Video and Photographic Arts program can pursue careers in various fields, including film production, photography, and media studies. The job outlook for related occupations is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 4% and approximately 3,600 annual openings. The median wage for these careers is around $70,980, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Film/Video and Photographic Arts
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 50.06.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 50.06 (Film/Video and Photographic Arts) maps to 6 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1122 | Communications Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 27-2012 | Producers and Directors |
| 27-4021 | Photographers |
| 27-4031 | Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film |
| 27-4032 | Film and Video Editorsprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers.
- Edit films and videotapes to insert music, dialogue, and sound effects, to arrange films into sequences, and to correct errors, using editing equipment.
- Select and combine the most effective shots of each scene to form a logical and smoothly running story.
- Review footage sequence by sequence to become familiar with it before assembling it into a final product.
- Set up and operate computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce a final product.
- Trim film segments to specified lengths and reassemble segments in sequences that present stories with maximum effect.
Common questions
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
Graduates can work in film production, photography, media studies, and more.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You'll develop skills in editing, cinematography, critical thinking, and communication.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a 4% growth rate.
What level of education do I need?+
A bachelor's degree is typically required for careers in this field.
How much do Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduates earn?+
Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $25,014, College Scorecard (2019); the Film and Video Editors occupation pays about $86,130 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Film/Video and Photographic Arts?+
Film/Video and Photographic Arts maps to CIP 50.06 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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