Best institutions to study 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.
189 U.S. institutions graduated 2,071 Photography students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0605, a specialization of Film/Video and Photographic Arts (CIP 50.06), and leads most directly to the Photographers occupation (BLS SOC 27-4021).
About Photography programs
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.
See also: 09.0404 - Photojournalism.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Photography program, part of the Film/Video and Photographic Arts field, focuses on the principles and techniques of creating images that communicate information, moods, and feelings. This program is designed for individuals aspiring to become professional photographic artists, providing them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the visual arts industry.
Students in this program learn about camera operation, film and digital image processing, light and composition, and the use of computer applications for image enhancement. Coursework also covers photographic history and various artistic techniques, preparing graduates for a range of creative endeavors.
Credentials awarded
What Photography graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,069 graduates / yr · 97 institutions52%
- Associate's degree375 graduates / yr · 50 institutions18%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years215 graduates / yr · 17 institutions10%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year200 graduates / yr · 44 institutions9.7%
- Master's degree170 graduates / yr · 18 institutions8.2%
- Award of less than 12 weeks35 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.7%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years7 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.3%
Graduates over time
Photography completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3,303 |
| 2013 | 3,630 |
| 2014 | 3,717 |
| 2015 | 3,227 |
| 2016 | 2,935 |
| 2017 | 2,718 |
| 2018 | 2,456 |
| 2019 | 2,323 |
| 2020 | 2,418 |
| 2021 | 2,171 |
| 2022 | 2,163 |
| 2023 | 2,089 |
| 2024 | 2,048 |
| 2025 | 2,071 |
Top 50 institutions for Photography, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 247 | 43% | $34,565 | $33,578 |
| 2 | Florida Institute of Recording Sound and Technology Orlando, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 113 | — | — | $21,610 |
| 3 | Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 104 | 69% | $44,902 | $23,976 |
| 4 | The New School New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 93 | 69% | $54,185 | $21,523 |
| 5 | School of Visual Arts New York, NYPrivate for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 76 | 76% | $58,518 | $20,312 |
| 6 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 51 | 52% | $28,087 | $23,905 |
| 7 | Academy of Art University San Francisco, CAPrivate for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sAssociate's | 50 | 34% | $40,294 | $23,354 |
| 8 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 47 | 70% | $28,133 | $28,858 |
| 9 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicBachelor's | 45 | 63% | — | $23,109 |
| 10 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 44 | 88% | $29,023 | $23,869 |
| 11 | Pratt Institute - Main Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 44 | 74% | $49,088 | $16,710 |
| 12 | Columbus State Community College Columbus, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 37 | 28% | — | — |
| 13 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CAPublicBachelor's | 29 | 56% | — | $24,618 |
| 14 | Colegio de Cinematografía Artes y Television Bayamon, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 25 | 47% | $4,177 | $7,470 |
| 15 | Citrus College Glendora, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 22 | 41% | — | — |
| 16 | Pellissippi State Community College Knoxville, TNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 22 | 31% | — | — |
| 17 | California Institute of the Arts Valencia, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 21 | 67% | $42,045 | $28,247 |
| 18 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, ILPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 25% | — | — |
| 19 | Freed - Hardeman University Henderson, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 21 | 71% | $19,418 | — |
| 20 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicBachelor's | 20 | 61% | — | $23,418 |
| 21 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor's | 20 | 55% | — | $33,610 |
| 22 | University of Houston Houston, TXPublicBachelor's | 19 | 65% | — | — |
| 23 | Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center Choctaw, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 18 | 92% | — | — |
| 24 | Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design Lakewood, COPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 32% | $28,500 | — |
| 25 | SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, NYPublicBachelor's | 17 | 63% | — | $18,128 |
| 26 | Modesto Junior College Modesto, CAPublicAssociate's | 16 | 30% | — | — |
| 27 | Orange Technical College - South Campus Orlando, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 16 | 35% | — | — |
| 28 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 78% | $36,004 | $19,758 |
| 29 | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VAPublicAssociate's | 16 | 33% | — | — |
| 30 | Suffolk County Community College Selden, NYPublicAssociate's | 16 | 29% | — | — |
| 31 | New York Film Academy Burbank, CAPrivate for-profitMaster'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsBachelor's | 16 | 68% | $46,505 | $17,109 |
| 32 | Rhode Island School of Design Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 15 | 89% | $41,764 | $17,701 |
| 33 | Pickens Technical College Aurora, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 76% | — | — |
| 34 | Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Dover, DEPublicAssociate's | 14 | 22% | — | — |
| 35 | Daytona State College Daytona Beach, FLPublicAssociate's | 14 | 43% | — | — |
| 36 | Husson University Bangor, MEPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 59% | $18,839 | — |
| 37 | Art Center College of Design Pasadena, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 13 | 79% | $48,578 | $22,988 |
| 38 | Universidad del Sagrado Corazon Santurce, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 13 | 52% | $15,525 | — |
| 39 | Grossmont College El Cajon, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 37% | — | — |
| 40 | Massachusetts College of Art and Design Boston, MAPublicBachelor's | 12 | 69% | — | $22,764 |
| 41 | Nassau Community College Garden City, NYPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 12 | 23% | — | — |
| 42 | University of Hartford West Hartford, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 11 | 54% | $28,311 | $17,521 |
| 43 | Pensacola State College Pensacola, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 11 | 36% | — | — |
| 44 | Black Hills State University Spearfish, SDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 11 | 43% | — | — |
| 45 | Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 49% | — | — |
| 46 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 47 | Delgado Community College New Orleans, LAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 24% | — | — |
| 48 | Maryland Institute College of Art Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 10 | 72% | $37,659 | $17,500 |
| 49 | College for Creative Studies Detroit, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 71% | $32,153 | $24,350 |
| 50 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 10 | 84% | $28,851 | $26,331 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Film/Video and Photographic Arts field (CIP 50.06) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 40 states & territories
Where Photography graduates come from. Each state links to all Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-4021, Photographers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Photography program can pursue careers as photographers or art, drama, and music teachers at the postsecondary level. The job outlook for photographers shows little or no change, with an annual growth rate of 1.8% and approximately 12,700 annual openings. The median wage for photographers is $42,520, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.0605
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Photographersprimary SOC 27-4021 | $44,660 | +1.8% Little or no change | ~12,700 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1121 | $78,620 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~9,000 | Master's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Photography programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus according to a combination of factors, such as lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed.
- Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.
- Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects.
- Transfer photographs to computers for editing, archiving, and electronic transmission.
- Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment, such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments.
- Manipulate and enhance scanned or digital images to create desired effects, using computers and specialized software.
Tools and technology used
Other Film/Video and Photographic Arts specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Film/Video and Photographic Arts (CIP 50.06).
- Cinematography and Film/CIP 50.0602
Video Production 9,799 graduates / yr287 institutions - Film/CIP 50.0601
Cinema/ Media Studies 5,237 graduates / yr219 institutions - Film/CIP 50.0699
Video and Photographic Arts 1,438 graduates / yr38 institutions - Documentary ProductionCIP 50.0607135 graduates / yr13 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, or various awards ranging from 12 weeks to less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, critical thinking, active listening, and writing, among others.
What types of careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can become a photographer or a postsecondary art, drama, and music teacher.
What is the job outlook for photographers?+
The job outlook for photographers shows little or no change, with a median wage of $42,520 and about 12,700 openings annually.
What is the CIP code for Photography?+
Photography is CIP 50.0605 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Film/Video and Photographic Arts (CIP 50.06). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Photography programs?+
189 U.S. institutions reported Photography graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 40 states & territories, awarding 2,071 credentials in the year. That is 11.1% of all Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduates.
How much do Photography graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Photographers occupation, which Photography most directly leads to, pays a median of $44,660 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Film/Video and Photographic Arts field report median earnings of $23,905 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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