Photography: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Photography is a dynamic discipline centered on the art and science of capturing visual stories through still and digital imagery. This program equips students with the technical mastery and creative vision needed to convey emotion, narrative, and concept across diverse photographic contexts. Graduates emerge prepared for careers in professional photography, visual storytelling, or further study in related fields.
- Camera and Equipment Operation & Maintenance: Learn to handle a range of photographic tools, from traditional film cameras to advanced digital systems, with emphasis on precision, functionality, and long-term care.
- Image Development Techniques: Explore the processes of developing film and photographic plates, including chemical handling, timing, and quality control in darkroom environments.
- Lighting and Composition: Master the principles of natural and artificial lighting, as well as framing, balance, and visual hierarchy to create compelling and intentional images.
- Print Media and Materials: Study the characteristics and applications of various printing substrates and media, from archival paper to specialty finishes, ensuring accurate color and tonal reproduction.
- Color Theory and Special Effects: Delve into color science, calibration, and post-production techniques to manipulate and enhance visual impact through digital and analog methods.
- Photographic Art and Aesthetics: Engage with the conceptual foundations of visual expression, exploring style, symbolism, and narrative construction in photographic work.
- Photographic History and Context: Examine the evolution of photography as an art form and cultural medium, from early pioneers to contemporary digital practices.
- Digital Imaging and Software Applications: Gain proficiency in industry-standard software for image capture, editing, enhancement, and manipulation, including workflow integration and file management.
- Subject-Specific Photography: Apply core skills to specialized areas such as portrait, landscape, documentary, commercial, fashion, and architectural photography, adapting techniques to context and audience.
Photography Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Photography Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Photography degrees, including Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary and Photographers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 149,120 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1121 | $80,190 | $47,040 - $194,530 | 97,890 | N/A |
| Photographers 27-4021 | $42,520 | $29,610 - $94,760 | 51,230 | $20.44 |
Photography Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $42,540 in Nevada to $96,765 in District of Columbia—a 127% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Hawaii, and Vermont. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 149,120 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Photography by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Photography programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Photography is found at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) (269 graduates), School of Visual Arts (SVA) (102 graduates), Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) (99 graduates), The New School (76 graduates), and Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) (67 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,865 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
269 | Manchester, New Hampshire | Private | snhu.edu |
| School of Visual Arts (SVA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
102 | New York, New York | Private | sva.edu |
| Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
99 | Savannah, Georgia | Private | scad.edu |
| The New School |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
76 | New York, New York | Private | newschool.edu |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
67 | Rochester, New York | Private | rit.edu |
| Columbia College Chicago (CCC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
65 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | colum.edu |
| Academy of Art University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
54 | San Francisco, California | Private | academyart.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
|
51 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Florida Institute of Recording Sound and Technology (F.I.R.S.T.) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
46 | Orlando, Florida | Private | first.edu |
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) |
Bachelor's
|
44 | Richmond, Virginia | Public | vcu.edu |
| Columbus State Community College (CSCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
|
33 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | cscc.edu |
| Pratt Institute |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Brooklyn, New York | Private | pratt.edu |
| Cabrillo College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
25 | Aptos, California | Public | cabrillo.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Sacramento, California | Public | csus.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Boston, Massachusetts | Public | massart.edu |
| Colegio de Cinematografia Artes y Television (CCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
20 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | ccatpuertorico.com |
| New York Film Academy (NYFA) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Master's
|
20 | Burbank, California | Private | nyfa.edu |
| California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
19 | Valencia, California | Private | calarts.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
19 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Pickens Technical College (PTC) |
Other Award
|
18 | Aurora, Colorado | Public | pickenstech.org |
| Stark State College |
Other Award
|
18 | North Canton, Ohio | Public | starkstate.edu |
| Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) |
Associate's
|
18 | Annandale, Virginia | Public | nvcc.edu |
| Citrus College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
17 | Glendora, California | Public | citruscollege.edu |
| Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | risd.edu |
| Suffolk County Community College (SUNY) |
Associate's
|
17 | Selden, New York | Public | sunysuffolk.edu |
| College for Creative Studies (CCS) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Detroit, Michigan | Private | collegeforcreativestudies.edu |
| Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Henderson, Tennessee | Private | fhu.edu |
| Art Center College of Design (ArtCenter) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Pasadena, California | Private | artcenter.edu |
| Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) |
Bachelor's
Residency
|
15 | Lakewood, Colorado | Private | rmcad.edu |
| University of Hartford (UHart) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 | West Hartford, Connecticut | Private | hartford.edu |
| Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | mica.edu |
| Lesley University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | lesley.edu |
| Victor Valley College (VVC) |
Other Award
|
14 | Victorville, California | Public | vvc.edu |
| Drexel University |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center (EOC Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
14 | Choctaw, Oklahoma | Public | eoctech.edu |
| Santa Ana College (SAC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Santa Ana, California | Public | sac.edu |
| SUNY |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Purchase, New York | Public | purchase.edu |
| Grossmont College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
12 | El Cajon, California | Public | grossmont.edu |
| Modesto Junior College (MJC) |
Associate's
|
12 | Modesto, California | Public | mjc.edu |
| Colorado Mountain College (CMC) |
Associate's
|
12 | Glenwood Springs, Colorado | Public | coloradomtn.edu |
| Daytona State College (DSC) |
Associate's
|
12 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Public | daytonastate.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Public | pikespeak.edu |
| Delaware Technical Community College |
Associate's
|
11 | Dover, Delaware | Public | dtcc.edu |
| Universidad del Sagrado Corazon |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Santurce, Puerto Rico | Private | sagrado.edu |
| Husson University |
Other Award
|
11 | Bangor, Maine | Private | husson.edu |
| Cypress College |
Associate's
|
10 | Cypress, California | Public | cypresscollege.edu |
| Yale University |
Master's
|
10 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| William T McFatter Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
10 | Davie, Florida | Public | mcfattertechnicalcollege.edu |
| Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Portland, Maine | Private | meca.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| California Baptist University (CBU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Riverside, California | Private | calbaptist.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| Miami Dade College (MDC) |
Associate's
|
9 | Miami, Florida | Public | mdc.edu |
| Orange Technical College (OTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
9 | Orlando, Florida | Public | orangetechcollege.net |
| Ringling College of Art and Design |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Sarasota, Florida | Private | ringling.edu |
| Webster University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | webster.edu |
| Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | ccad.edu |
| Temple University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
9 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| Black Hills State University (BHSU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
9 | Spearfish, South Dakota | Public | bhsu.edu |
| College of the Canyons |
Associate's
|
8 | Santa Clarita, California | Public | canyons.edu |
| Hartnell College |
Associate's
|
8 | Salinas, California | Public | hartnell.edu |
| College of Southern Maryland (CSM) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | La Plata, Maryland | Public | csmd.edu |
| Northeastern University (NU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Public | grcc.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Barry University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 | Miami, Florida | Private | barry.edu |
| Delgado Community College |
Other Award
|
7 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Public | dcc.edu |
| Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
7 | Rosemount, Minnesota | Public | dctc.edu |
| Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | mcad.edu |
| Pellissippi State Community College (PSTCC) |
Other Award
|
7 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | pstcc.edu |
| Seattle University (Seattle U) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Seattle, Washington | Private | seattleu.edu |
| John Brown University (JBU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Siloam Springs, Arkansas | Private | jbu.edu |
| Butte College |
Other Award
|
6 | Oroville, California | Public | butte.edu |
| University of La Verne |
Bachelor's
|
6 | La Verne, California | Private | laverne.edu |
| Oakland University (OU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Public | oakland.edu |
| County College of Morris (CCM) |
Associate's
|
6 | Randolph, New Jersey | Public | ccm.edu |
| Nassau Community College (NCC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Garden City, New York | Public | ncc.edu |
| Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | cia.edu |
| Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Nanticoke, Pennsylvania | Public | luzerne.edu |
| Tri-County Technical College (TCTC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Pendleton, South Carolina | Public | tctc.edu |
| Carson-Newman University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
6 | Jefferson City, Tennessee | Private | cn.edu |
| Nashville State Community College (NSCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Nashville, Tennessee | Public | nscc.edu |
| Saint Edward's University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Austin, Texas | Private | stedwards.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Other Award
|
6 | Kingsville, Texas | Public | tamuk.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Associate's
|
6 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | bayamon.inter.edu |
| Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Chandler, Arizona | Public | cgc.maricopa.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Glendale, Arizona | Public | gccaz.edu |
| California College of the Arts (CCA) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | San Francisco, California | Private | cca.edu |
| American University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | american.edu |
| Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Melbourne, Florida | Public | easternflorida.edu |
| Cranbrook Academy of Art |
Master's
|
5 | Bloomfield Hills, Michigan | Private | cranbrookart.edu |
| Grand Valley State University (GVSU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Allendale, Michigan | Public | gvsu.edu |
| Montcalm Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Sidney, Michigan | Public | montcalm.edu |
| Maryville University of Saint Louis |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | maryville.edu |
| Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (PCAD) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | Private | pcad.edu |
| Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | ccp.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Commerce, Texas | Public | tamuc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Photography programs
How much can I earn with a Photography degree?
Salaries for Photography graduates vary by role and location. Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $80,190 annually, while Photographers earn around $42,520. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $96,765 compared to $42,540 in Nevada. Approximately 149,120 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Photography programs?
Currently 193 accredited institutions offer Photography degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) (269 graduates), School of Visual Arts (SVA) (102 graduates), and Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) (99 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Photography growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 3,290 in 2010 to a peak of 2,440 in 2020, before declining slightly to 2,066 in 2023-24. This represents a 37% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Photography degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Photographers, . Related occupations employ approximately 149,120 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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