by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 190 U.S. colleges awarded 2,082 degrees and certificates in Photography. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 52% of graduates. College Factual ranks 49 schools in its 2027 Best Photography Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $25,545 one year after completing, rising to $44,683 after four years.
A degree in Photography explores 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. 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, photography is a popular field of study, with 2,082 degrees awarded annually. 190 colleges award photography degrees, an average of 11 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 247.
By level, the 2,082 awards include 222 certificates, 375 associate degrees, 1,080 bachelor’s degrees and 370 master’s degrees.
Women earned 66% of photography degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,380 of 2,082). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (975) and Hispanic or Latino (420), and international students earned 176.
College Factual ranks 49 schools in its 2027 Best Photography Schools ranking, including 9 for associate degrees, 26 for bachelor’s degrees and 7 for master’s degrees. It also ranks photography schools within 19 states. In all, 190 colleges offer photography programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Photography Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common photography credential is the bachelor’s degree: 1,080 of the 2,082 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to photography call most for Speaking, Instructing and Learning Strategies, and for knowledge of Fine Arts, Education and Training and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Written Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a photography degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 222 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 375 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,080 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 370 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to photography, at 46.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 46.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 29.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.4% |
| Some college courses | 2.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.7% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Photography, with an average median salary of $61,363; the strongest outlook belongs to Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, at 9.1% projected job growth. Typical job titles include College Faculty Member, Assistant Professor, Adjunct Music Professor and Art Professor.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to photography, at 1,074,154.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
| Photographers | 81,551 | -3.6% |
Photography graduates earn a median $25,545 one year after completing their program, $44,683 after four years and $41,826 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $25,545 |
| 4 years | $44,683 |
| 5 years | $41,826 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to photography is Photographers, with a median salary of $75,743.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Photographers | $75,743 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
Photography has 4 similar majors in the Visual & Performing Arts field, which together award 17,140 degrees a year; the largest are Cinematography and Film/Video Production (9,910), Film/Cinema/Media Studies (5,629) and Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other (1,466). Browse all Visual & Performing Arts majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cinematography and Film/Video Production | 9,910 |
| Film/Cinema/Media Studies | 5,629 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other | 1,466 |
| Documentary Production | 135 |
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