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Photojournalism: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Photojournalism is a dynamic field that combines visual storytelling with rigorous journalistic integrity, equipping professionals to capture and convey news through powerful still and moving images. This program emphasizes the technical mastery and ethical responsibility required to document current events across diverse media platforms, preparing graduates for careers in newsrooms, digital outlets, and multimedia agencies.

  • Photography Fundamentals: Core techniques in lighting, exposure, composition, and image capture, focusing on clarity, impact, and narrative strength in visual reporting.
  • Journalistic Principles: Training in news ethics, accuracy, fairness, and the role of visual media in informing the public, grounded in professional standards and accountability.
  • Studio Procedures and Techniques: Hands-on experience with controlled environments, including lighting setups, backdrop use, and post-production workflows essential for editorial and feature work.
  • Camera and Equipment Operation: In-depth instruction on professional-grade cameras, lenses, tripods, and auxiliary gear, with emphasis on reliability, adaptability, and precision in real-world conditions.
  • News Editing and Post-Production: Skills in selecting, sequencing, and refining photographic content using digital editing software for both print and digital distribution.
  • Print and Film Editing: Understanding of traditional and emerging formats, including layout integration, color correction, and timeline management for multimedia news packages.
  • News Scene Composition: Strategies for visual storytelling that prioritize context, emotion, and immediacy, enabling photographers to frame events with clarity and depth.
  • Subject Surveillance and Field Reporting: Techniques for observing and documenting events in real time, with attention to safety, access, and the ability to anticipate pivotal moments.
  • Media Law and Policy: Knowledge of copyright, privacy rights, libel, and censorship issues affecting visual content, ensuring legal and ethical compliance in publication.
  • News Team Field Operations: Collaboration skills for working within fast-paced journalistic environments, including coordination with reporters, editors, and producers during breaking news coverage.
  • Professional Standards and Ethics: A commitment to integrity, transparency, and objectivity in image selection and presentation, reinforcing trust between visual journalists and their audiences.

Photojournalism Graduate Trends (2010-2024)

91
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
11
Universities & Colleges
3
Career Pathways

Photojournalism Career Pathways & Salary Outlook

The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Photojournalism degrees, including Film and Video Editors, News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists 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 121,640 professionals.


National Average Salaries

Occupation Median Salary Salary Range Total Employment Hourly Rate
Film and Video Editors 27-4032 $70,980 $39,170 - $145,900 28,860 $34.12
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists 27-3023 $60,280 $34,590 - $162,430 41,550 $28.98
Photographers 27-4021 $42,520 $29,610 - $94,760 51,230 $20.44

Photojournalism Salary Map by State

Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $37,393 in Kansas to $104,717 in District of Columbia—a 180% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, New York, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 121,640 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 Photojournalism by Graduate Enrollment

Below are the top 11 institutions offering Photojournalism 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 Photojournalism is found at Syracuse University (25 graduates), Ohio University (OHIO), Main Campus (16 graduates), University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) (12 graduates), George Washington University (GW) (8 graduates), and Columbia College Chicago (CCC) (8 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 91 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
Syracuse University
Bachelor's
Master's
25 Syracuse, New York Private syracuse.edu
Ohio University (OHIO)
Bachelor's
16 Athens, Ohio Public ohio.edu
University of Central Oklahoma (UCO)
Bachelor's
12 Edmond, Oklahoma Public uco.edu
George Washington University (GW)
Bachelor's
Master's
8 Washington, District of Columbia Private gwu.edu
Columbia College Chicago (CCC)
Bachelor's
8 Chicago, Illinois Private colum.edu
Central Michigan University (CMU)
Bachelor's
8 Mount Pleasant, Michigan Public cmich.edu
Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD)
Other Award
7 Detroit, Michigan Public wcccd.edu
Western Kentucky University (WKU)
Bachelor's
4 Bowling Green, Kentucky Public wku.edu
Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM)
Bachelor's
1 Moorhead, Minnesota Public mnstate.edu
South Plains College
Associate's
1 Levelland, Texas Public southplainscollege.edu
Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC)
Associate's
1 Spokane, Washington Public sfcc.spokane.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Photojournalism programs

How much can I earn with a Photojournalism degree?

Salaries for Photojournalism graduates vary by role and location. Film and Video Editors earn a median of $70,980 annually, while News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists earn around $60,280. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $104,717 compared to $37,393 in Kansas. Approximately 121,640 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 Photojournalism programs?

Currently 11 accredited institutions offer Photojournalism degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Syracuse University (25 graduates), Ohio University (OHIO), Main Campus (16 graduates), and University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) (12 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 Photojournalism growing or declining?

Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 195 in 2010 to a peak of 116 in 2020, before declining slightly to 91 in 2023-24. This represents a 53% 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 Photojournalism degree?

This degree prepares you for roles such as Film and Video Editors, News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists, and Photographers. Related occupations employ approximately 121,640 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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