2026 Best Commercial Photography Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Commercial Photography degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their commercial photography programs.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best commercial photography schools.
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Best Schools for Commercial Photography in the Great Lakes Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the commercial photography degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Commercial Photography
Our analysis ranked Madison Area Technical College the best school in the country for a degree in commercial photography. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. There were roughly 12 commercial photography students who graduated with this degree at Madison Area Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their commercial photography degree from Madison Area Technical College earn around $30,710 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,750.
More information about a degree in commercial photography from Madison Area Technical College
Kent State University At Kent came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best commercial photography schools. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Kent State University At Kent graduates 64% of students within six years. About 15 commercial photography degrees were awarded at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent year. Students who receive their commercial photography degree from Kent State University At Kent earn around $36,351 in the first couple years of their career. Kent State University At Kent graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Get the full commercial photography details for Kent State University At Kent
Students looking for a strong commercial photography program will find one at Columbus State Community College, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. About 115 commercial photography degrees were awarded at Columbus State Community College in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete this degree.
See the full commercial photography program report for Columbus State Community College
Students looking for a strong commercial photography program will find one at Mchenry County College, which ranked #4. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. There were roughly 10 commercial photography students who graduated with this degree at Mchenry County College in the most recent data year. Commercial Photography graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,440.
More information about a degree in commercial photography from Mchenry County College
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in commercial photography, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. There were roughly 20 commercial photography students who graduated with this degree at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the commercial photography program make about $42,016 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in commercial photography from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 18 schools evaluated.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
