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2026 Best Photography Associate’s Degree Schools

10 Colleges in the United States
246 Photography Degrees Awarded
$36,811 Avg Early-Career Salary

Photography degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their photography programs.

College Factual analyzed 258 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best photography schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Photography in the United States

These are the top schools for a associate’s degree in photography, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Photography

1

Suffolk County Community College tops our 2026 ranking of the best photography schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Selden. There were roughly 17 photography students who graduated with this degree at Suffolk County Community College in the most recent data year. Photography graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Suffolk County Community College graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Read more about the photography program at Suffolk County Community College

2

A rank of #2 makes Northern Virginia Community College one of the top schools for photography. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Northern Virginia Community College awarded about 18 photography degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete this degree. Read more about the photography program at Northern Virginia Community College

3

Students looking for a strong photography program will find one at Southern New Hampshire University, which ranked #3. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Manchester. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 119 photography degrees were awarded at Southern New Hampshire University in the most recent year. Students who receive their photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University earn around $27,990 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,875. See the full photography program report for Southern New Hampshire University

4
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Students looking for a strong photography program will find one at Cypress College, which ranked #4. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. There were roughly 10 photography students who graduated with this degree at Cypress College in the most recent data year. Read more about the photography program at Cypress College

5
Colorado Mountain College crest
Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO

Colorado Mountain College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in photography, landing the #5 spot this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Glenwood Springs. Colorado Mountain College graduates 14% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 photography students who graduated with this degree at Colorado Mountain College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College generally make around $48,694. Colorado Mountain College graduates carry a median of $12,953 in student loans. More information about a degree in photography from Colorado Mountain College

6

Cabrillo College earned the #6 position for photography this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Aptos. There were roughly 15 photography students who graduated with this degree at Cabrillo College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the photography program make about $47,750 in their early career. Cabrillo College graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. See the full photography program report for Cabrillo College

7

Delaware Technical Community College Terry placed #7 among the best photography schools. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. There were roughly 11 photography students who graduated with this degree at Delaware Technical Community College Terry in the most recent data year. Graduates of the photography program make about $43,322 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,154. Read more about the photography program at Delaware Technical Community College Terry

8

Modesto Junior College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best photography schools. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. Modesto Junior College awarded about 12 photography degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their photography degree from Modesto Junior College earn around $36,525 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in photography from Modesto Junior College

9
Daytona State College crest
Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona State College placed #9 among the best photography schools. This large public university is located in the city of Daytona Beach. Daytona State College awarded about 12 photography degrees in the most recent data year. Photography graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $43,320 early in their careers. Daytona State College graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Get the full photography details for Daytona State College

10

Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television landed the #10 spot for photography this year. Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Bayamon. About 20 photography degrees were awarded at Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television in the most recent year. Photography graduates of Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television earn a median of $7,907 early in their careers. See the full photography program report for Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television

Other Photography Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Photography rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Photography
Bachelor's Degrees in Photography
Master's Degrees in Photography
View All Photography Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 258 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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