by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, commercial photography was the 576th most popular major nationwide with 928 degrees awarded. This represents a 18.6% reduction in commercial photography degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 1,101.
Our 2023 Best Commercial Photography Schools ranking analyzes 32 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for commercial photography students. Explore this or one of our many other custom commercial photography rankings further below.
A major in commercial photography prepares you for careers in which talking to others to convey information effectively is crucial. Required skills include giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and teaching others how to do something.
commercial photography degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific commercial photography careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different commercial photography degree levels. You can spend many years getting as high as a in commercial photography to something that takes less time like a . Commercial Photography programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to commercial photography, with approximately 25.3% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for commercial photography workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 33.6% |
| Doctoral Degree | 21.0% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 14.6% |
| High School Diploma | 9.5% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 7.7% |
Most workers in commercial photography have at least a bachelor's degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in commercial photography have received.
This of course varies depending on which commercial photography career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your commercial photography degree? Commercial Photography careers are expected to grow 2.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to commercial photography.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Photographers | 139,000 | -5.6% |
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | 137,200 | 12.0% |
Learn to create a striking portfolio and hone the skills you need to succeed in the world of professional photography with this online digital photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
As you might expect, salaries for commercial photography graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for commercial photography graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers commercial photography grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | $82,560 |
| Photographers | $42,770 |
With over 149 different commercial photography degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased commercial photography school rankings to help you with this.
Learn about other programs related to Commercial Photography that might interest you.
Learn to create a striking portfolio and hone the skills you need to succeed in the world of professional photography with this online digital photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts
Translate your creative ideas through concept, design and digital media with a bachelor's in graphic design online from Southern New Hampshire University.
Commercial Photography is one of 9 different types of Design & Applied Arts programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Graphic Design | 8,710 |
| Interior Design | 5,840 |
| Visual Communications | 5,765 |
| Commercial & Advertising Art | 3,597 |
| Fashion Design | 3,103 |
