Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Photography (Income $30-$48k)

86 Ranked Colleges
1,303 Degrees Awarded
$11,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor's For Those Making $30-$48k

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 Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 2,438 people earned their degree in photography, making the major the 291st most popular in the United States.

At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,303 photography graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,303 and $24,501 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 86 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in photography. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality photography programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the photography program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Photography Schools

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 Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. 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 Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Photography (Income $30-$48k)

#1

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 86 schools in the Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. WUSTL is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 1 bachelors’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

WUSTL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend WUSTL is $6,248 for bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full WUSTL Photography Report

#2

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue is $5,879 for bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Photography at Purdue

#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 3 bachelors’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $7,467 for bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Photography Report

#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s photography degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

UIUC also made our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $8,464 for bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Photography Report

#25 in overall quality

Out of the 86 schools in the Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Central Florida landed the #5 spot on the list. Orlando, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s photography degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

UCF also took the #25 spot in our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $7,847 for bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCF.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Photography at UCF

#9 in overall quality

Brigham Young University - Provo landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Provo, Utah, and it awarded 11 bachelors’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

BYU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend BYU is $10,425 for Bachelor’s Degree Photography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Full Brigham Young University - Provo Photography Report

California State University - Sacramento came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Sacramento is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 31 bachelors’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $7,823 for bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Photography at California State University - Sacramento

#8

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Grand Valley State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. GVSU is a large school located in Allendale, Michigan that handed out 10 bachelors’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

GVSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for GVSU is $12,459 for bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Grand Valley State University Photography Report

Texas A&M University - Commerce did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Texas A&M University - Commerce is a fairly large school located in Commerce, Texas that handed out 6 bachelors’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M Commerce is $10,580 for bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Photography at Texas A&M Commerce

With a ranking of #10, University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras is a public institution located in San Juan, . The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UPR Rio Piedras is $11,928 for bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Photography at UPR Rio Piedras

#11

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Oakland University is a fairly large school located in Rochester Hills, Michigan that handed out 7 bachelors’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Oakland University is $7,751 for bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Oakland Photography Report

#12

University of Southern Maine

Portland, Maine

With a ranking of #12, University of Southern Maine did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Portland, Maine, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $9,295 for bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Southern Maine.

Full University of Southern Maine Photography Report

#13

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. UH is located in Houston, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 bachelors’s photography degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Houston is $9,925 for bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on Photography at University of Houston

#14

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan

Ferris State University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ferris State University is located in Big Rapids, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 bachelors’s photography degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $10,521 for bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ferris.

Read full report on Photography at Ferris State University

#15

George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia
#13 in overall quality

George Washington University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Washington, District of Columbia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

GWU also made our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $17,924 for Bachelor’s Degree Photography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend GWU.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Photography at George Washington University

#16

SUNY New Paltz

New Paltz, New York
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, SUNY New Paltz did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. SUNY New Paltz is a medium-sized public school situated in New Paltz, New York. It awarded 5 bachelors’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SUNY New Paltz, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $14,870 for bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SUNY New Paltz.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Photography at SUNY New Paltz

#17

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

Northern Arizona University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Flagstaff, Arizona, and it awarded 27 bachelors’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for NAU is $9,799 for Bachelor’s Degree Photography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Photography at NAU

#17

SUNY Fredonia

Fredonia, New York

SUNY Fredonia ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Fredonia, New York, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $11,935 for bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SUNY Fredonia.

The low student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Photography at SUNY Fredonia

#19

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Marcos, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s photography degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $12,292 for Bachelor’s Degree Photography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Texas State University.

Full Texas State University Photography Report

#20

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Huntsville, Texas, this large public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified bachelors’s photography students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend SHSU is $11,634 for bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full SHSU Photography Report

#21

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, Ohio

Youngstown State University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Youngstown, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s photography degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $9,784 for bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Youngstown State University.

Full Youngstown State University Photography Report

#22

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Lindenwood University is located in Saint Charles, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 bachelors’s photography degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $13,918 for Bachelor’s Degree Photography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Lindenwood University Photography Report

#23

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon

University of Oregon came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Eugene, Oregon is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s photography degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend University of Oregon is $13,108 for bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UO Photography Report

#24

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, Virginia
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, Virginia Commonwealth University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Richmond, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s photography degrees to 44 students in 2019-2020.

VCU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. It costs about $17,529 for bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Virginia Commonwealth University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Photography at VCU

#25

Syracuse University

Syracuse, New York
#5 in overall quality

Syracuse University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Syracuse is located in Syracuse, New York and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 bachelors’s photography degrees to qualified students.

Syracuse not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Syracuse University is $21,360 for bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Syracuse University 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