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2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

16 Ranked Colleges
165 Degrees Awarded
$24,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 297 photography graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 165 photography graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,075 and $25,381 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 16 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Photography Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique 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 Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 16 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Photography (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school awarded 1 degrees to qualified bachelors’s photography students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $75-$110k list, Purdue has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue is $18,565 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Photography students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Photography at Purdue

#1 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #2 spot on the list. UIUC is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 11 bachelors’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $21,998 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Photography students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UIUC.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Photography at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#3

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Grand Valley State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Allendale, Michigan, this large public school awarded 10 degrees to qualified bachelors’s photography students in 2019-2020.

GVSU also took the #4 spot in our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,113 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend GVSU.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Photography at GVSU

#4

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan
#10 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Oakland University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. This fairly large school is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $75-$110k list, Oakland has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Oakland is $15,424 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Photography students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Photography at Oakland

#5

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan
#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ferris State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Big Rapids, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s photography degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ferris, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $17,132 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Ferris State University.

Read more about Photography at Ferris State University

#6

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, Ohio
#12 in overall quality

Youngstown State University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Youngstown State University is a public institution located in Youngstown, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Youngstown State University also took the #12 spot in our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Youngstown State University is $15,719 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Photography students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Photography at Youngstown State University

#7

Shawnee State University

Portsmouth, Ohio
#16 in overall quality

Shawnee State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This small school is located in Portsmouth, Ohio, and it awarded 5 bachelors’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Shawnee State University, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $18,966 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Shawnee State University.

Full Shawnee State University Photography Report

#13 in overall quality

University of Akron Main Campus ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Akron Main Campus is a public institution located in Akron, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Akron Main Campus also took the #13 spot in our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,582 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Akron Main Campus.

Read more about Photography at University of Akron Main Campus

#11 in overall quality

Indiana Wesleyan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #9. IWU is a small school located in Marion, Indiana that handed out 9 bachelors’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

IWU also made our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend IWU is $23,010 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Photography at IWU

#10

University of Dayton

Dayton, Ohio
#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of Dayton did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Dayton is located in Dayton, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 bachelors’s photography degrees to qualified students.

UDayton also made our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for University of Dayton is $30,034 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, 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 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Photography at University of Dayton

#11

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

Bradley University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #11. Bradley is located in Peoria, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 bachelors’s photography degrees to qualified students.

Bradley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Bradley University is $28,169 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Photography students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Photography at Bradley

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Columbus College of Art and Design did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s photography degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

CCAD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Columbus College of Art and Design is $30,247 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $75-$110k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Photography at CCAD

#13

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

Columbia College Chicago ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 44 bachelors’s photography degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $75-$110k list, Columbia has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $33,864 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Photography students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Columbia.

Read full report on Photography at Columbia

#14

Art Academy of Cincinnati

Cincinnati, Ohio
#14 in overall quality

Art Academy of Cincinnati did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #14. Art Academy of Cincinnati is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

AAC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend AAC is $29,791 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $75-$110k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Photography at Art Academy of Cincinnati

#15

College for Creative Studies

Detroit, Michigan
#8 in overall quality

College for Creative Studies came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This small school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 15 bachelors’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CCS, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend College for Creative Studies is $39,604 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Photography students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Photography at College for Creative Studies

#16

American Academy of Art

Chicago, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

American Academy of Art landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. American Academy of Art is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The Academy also took the #15 spot in our “Best Photography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $32,536 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree photography students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend The Academy.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full The Academy Photography Report

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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.

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