Virginia · Film/Video and Photographic Arts

Best colleges for Film/Video and Photographic Arts in Virginia

Ranked by graduate earnings

George Mason University, Virginia Commonwealth University and Liberty University are the top bachelor's Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs in Virginia by graduate earnings. George Mason University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $23,989, College Scorecard. Virginia Commonwealth University, Liberty University and George Mason University award the most Film/Video and Photographic Arts degrees in Virginia: 92, 60 and 50 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 12 Virginia colleges offer Film/Video and Photographic Arts and award 301 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…

Institutions
12
offering CIP 50.06
States offered
49
with a program page
Degrees / yr
301
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$23,109
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
3
College Scorecard
Median net price
$24,049
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
54%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Film and Video Editors
$80,660
BLS OEWS May 2025

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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1George Mason University
Fairfax Public · Bachelor's degree
$23,9895068%—$25,000
2Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond Public · Bachelor's degree
$23,1099263%—$26,000
3Liberty University
Lynchburg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$20,5126065%$28,911$22,500

Colleges awarding the most Film/Video and Photographic Arts degrees in Virginia

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.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond Public
92$23,109
2Liberty University
Lynchburg Private not-for-profit
60$20,512
3George Mason University
Fairfax Public
50$23,989
4Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale Public
45Not reported
5Regent University
Virginia Beach Private not-for-profit
18Not reported
6Hollins University
Roanoke Private not-for-profit
11Not reported
7Shenandoah University
Winchester Private not-for-profit
9Not reported
8Brightpoint Community College
Chester Public
8Not reported
9Tidewater Community College
Norfolk Public
3Not reported
10University of Richmond
University of Richmond Private not-for-profit
2Not reported
Show the other 2 Virginia colleges offering Film/Video and Photographic Arts
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeHamptonPublic2
Danville Community CollegeDanvillePublic1

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Film and Video Editors (SOC 27-4032).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+4.0%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~3,600
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$70,980
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Active ListeningCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionSpeakingActive LearningWriting

What Film and Video Editors earn in Virginia

Jobs in Virginia
—
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$80,660
median $78,740
Best-paying metro
$79,890
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

Related careers

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
$81,160 avg · 2,840 jobs
Producers and Directors
$74,770 avg · 2,820 jobs
Photographers
$52,640 avg · 1,580 jobs
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary
$82,480 avg · 790 jobs
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
$66,460 avg · 420 jobs
Film and Video Editors
$80,660

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs in Virginia.

Which Virginia colleges award the most Film/Video and Photographic Arts degrees?+

Virginia Commonwealth University (92 graduates a year), Liberty University (60 graduates a year) and George Mason University (50 graduates a year) award the most Film/Video and Photographic Arts degrees in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 12 Virginia colleges offer Film/Video and Photographic Arts.

What is the best college for Film/Video and Photographic Arts in Virginia?+

By graduate earnings, George Mason University leads among bachelor's Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs in Virginia, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $23,989, College Scorecard. Virginia Commonwealth University and Liberty University follow. By degrees awarded, Virginia Commonwealth University is the largest, with 92 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which Film/Video and Photographic Arts program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, George Mason University tops the list at $23,989. 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 Virginia?+

The average annual wage for Film and Video Editors in Virginia is $80,660 (median $78,740). 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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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