Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

23 Ranked Colleges
242 Degrees Awarded
$30,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Photography Schools for a Master's For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

Photography is the 291st most popular major in the country with 2,438 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 242 photography graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 23 colleges that offer a degree in photography. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent photography programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the photography program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The photography school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 23 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Photography (Income $0-$30k)

#1

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Yale University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in New Haven, Connecticut, and it awarded 10 masters’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Yale, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Yale University are $44,500.

Read full report on Photography at Yale

#10 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. UW Seattle is a large public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 3 masters’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle also made our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Photography at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#18 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Chicago. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Photography at UIC

#4

Syracuse University

Syracuse, New York
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Syracuse University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Syracuse, New York, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s photography students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Syracuse, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Syracuse are $41,714, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Photography at Syracuse University

#5

Marywood University

Scranton, Pennsylvania
#16 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Marywood University landed the #5 spot on the list. Scranton, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s photography degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Marywood, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Marywood are $11,438, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Marywood Photography Report

#6

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#12 in overall quality

Temple University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s photography degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Temple did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Temple University are $24,236, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Photography at Temple University

#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Athens, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s photography degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

OHIO Athens also took the #17 spot in our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio University - Athens Campus are $17,712.

Full OHIO Athens Photography Report

#8

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Columbia College Chicago ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s photography degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

Columbia also made our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia College Chicago are $2,350, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Columbia Photography Report

#9

Barry University

Miami, Florida
#23 in overall quality

Barry University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Miami, Florida, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified masters’s photography students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree photography students whose families make $0-$30k list, Barry University has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Barry University are $17,910, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Barry University Photography Report

#10

Atlantic University College

Guaynabo, <nil>
#24 in overall quality

Atlantic University College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Guaynabo, is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s photography degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree photography students whose families make $0-$30k list, Atlantic University College has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Atlantic University College are $13,280, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Photography at Atlantic University College

#11

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, New York
#6 in overall quality

Rochester Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Rochester, New York, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 2 degrees to qualified masters’s photography students in 2019-2020.

RIT not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at RIT are $50,442.

Read more about Photography at Rochester Institute of Technology

#12

University of Hartford

West Hartford, Connecticut
#15 in overall quality

University of Hartford ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in West Hartford, Connecticut, and it awarded 9 masters’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

UHart also took the #15 spot in our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Hartford are $14,847.

Full University of Hartford Photography Report

#13

Maryland Institute College of Art

Baltimore, Maryland
#5 in overall quality

Maryland Institute College of Art landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Baltimore, Maryland is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s photography degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MICA, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Maryland Institute College of Art are $49,190, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full MICA Photography Report

#14

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, California
#14 in overall quality

Mount Saint Mary’s University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. MSMU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 2 masters’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MSMU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Mount Saint Mary’s University are $12,612.

Full Mount Saint Mary’s University Photography Report

#15

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California
#7 in overall quality

Academy of Art University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. San Francisco, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out masters’s photography degrees to 56 students in 2019-2020.

Academy of Art University also took the #7 spot in our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Academy of Art University are $27,688.

Read more about Photography at Academy of Art University

#16

Lesley University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#19 in overall quality

Lesley University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lesley is a small school located in Cambridge, Massachusetts that handed out 2 masters’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

Lesley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lesley University are $19,050, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Photography at Lesley

#17

School of Visual Arts

New York, New York
#4 in overall quality

School of Visual Arts did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. School of Visual Arts is a small school located in New York, New York that handed out 56 masters’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SVA, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at School of Visual Arts are $48,600.

Read more about Photography at SVA

#18

Rhode Island School of Design

Providence, Rhode Island
#9 in overall quality

Rhode Island School of Design landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Rhode Island School of Design is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Providence, Rhode Island. It awarded 6 masters’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree photography students whose families make $0-$30k list, RISD has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at RISD are $54,890, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Photography at Rhode Island School of Design

#3 in overall quality

Savannah College of Art and Design came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SCAD is located in Savannah, Georgia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 25 masters’s photography degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our master’s degree photography students whose families make $0-$30k list, SCAD has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SCAD are $38,975, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Savannah College of Art and Design Photography Report

#20

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, California
#8 in overall quality

California Institute of the Arts did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. California Institute of the Arts is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Valencia, California. It awarded 8 masters’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

CalArts also made our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of the Arts are $53,466, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full CalArts Photography Report

#21

The New School

New York, New York
#11 in overall quality

The New School ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. New York, New York is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s photography degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

New School University also took the #11 spot in our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at New School University are $47,642, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full The New School Photography Report

#22

New England College

Henniker, New Hampshire
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, New England College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Henniker, New Hampshire is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s photography degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

NEC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at New England College are $15,764, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full New England College Photography Report

#23

New York Film Academy

Burbank, California
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, New York Film Academy did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Burbank, California, and it awarded 7 masters’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

New York Film Academy not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at New York Film Academy are $35,457.

Full New York Film Academy Photography Report

Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Featured Photography / Film Studies Schools

Find Schools Near You