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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Photography (With Aid)

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

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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.

This year’s “Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 23 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in photography. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great photography programs and 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.

More Ways to Rank Photography Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree photography students with aid.

Top 23 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Photography (With Aid)

#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. UW Seattle is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Photography at UW Seattle

#2

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Yale University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution located in New Haven, Connecticut. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Yale not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Yale University are $44,500, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Yale Photography Report

#18 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Chicago. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school handed out 1 degrees to qualified masters’s photography students 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036.

Full UIC Photography Report

#4

Marywood University

Scranton, Pennsylvania
#16 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Marywood University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid. Marywood is a small school located in Scranton, Pennsylvania that handed out 3 masters’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

Marywood also made our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at Marywood University are $11,438, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Marywood University Photography Report

#5

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#12 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Temple University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large public school awarded 1 degrees to qualified masters’s photography 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 are $24,236, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Temple University Photography Report

#17 in overall quality

Ohio University - Athens Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. OHIO Athens is a large school located in Athens, Ohio that handed out 1 masters’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

OHIO Athens also made our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio University - Athens Campus are $17,712, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Ohio University - Athens Campus Photography Report

#6

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, California
#14 in overall quality

Mount Saint Mary’s University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. MSMU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

MSMU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mount Saint Mary’s University are $12,612, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Photography at Mount Saint Mary’s University

#8

Barry University

Miami, Florida
#23 in overall quality

Barry University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Barry University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Barry University also took the #23 spot 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

#9

University of Hartford

West Hartford, Connecticut
#15 in overall quality

University of Hartford landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. UHart is a medium-sized school located in West Hartford, Connecticut that handed out 9 masters’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

UHart also made our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at UHart are $14,847, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Photography at University of Hartford

#10

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Columbia College Chicago landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 5 masters’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Columbia, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia College Chicago are $2,350, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Photography at Columbia College Chicago

#11

Atlantic University College

Guaynabo, <nil>
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Atlantic University College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Guaynabo, , this small private not-for-profit school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified masters’s photography students in 2019-2020.

Atlantic University College also took the #24 spot in our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Atlantic University College are $13,280, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Photography at Atlantic University College

#12

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, New York
#6 in overall quality

Rochester Institute of Technology ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Rochester Institute of Technology is a fairly large school located in Rochester, New York that handed out 2 masters’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

RIT did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at RIT are $50,442, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Rochester Institute of Technology Photography Report

#13

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Academy of Art University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 56 masters’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Read more about Photography at Academy of Art University

#14

Lesley University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#19 in overall quality

Lesley University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Lesley is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It awarded 2 masters’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

Lesley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lesley are $19,050, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Lesley Photography Report

#15

Rhode Island School of Design

Providence, Rhode Island
#9 in overall quality

Rhode Island School of Design ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Providence, Rhode Island is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s photography degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

RISD also took the #9 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 RISD are $54,890.

Full RISD Photography Report

#16

New England College

Henniker, New Hampshire
#20 in overall quality

New England College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. This small school is located in Henniker, New Hampshire, and it awarded 2 masters’s photography degrees 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full NEC Photography Report

#17

Syracuse University

Syracuse, New York
#2 in overall quality

Syracuse University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Syracuse is a private not-for-profit institution located in Syracuse, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Syracuse did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Syracuse University are $41,714, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Photography at Syracuse University

#18

School of Visual Arts

New York, New York
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, School of Visual Arts did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. SVA is located in New York, New York and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 56 masters’s photography degrees to qualified students.

SVA also took 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 full report on Photography at School of Visual Arts

#19

Maryland Institute College of Art

Baltimore, Maryland
#5 in overall quality

Maryland Institute College of Art ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. 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.

MICA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Maryland Institute College of Art are $49,190, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Photography at MICA

#3 in overall quality

Savannah College of Art and Design did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. SCAD is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Savannah, Georgia. It awarded 25 masters’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

SCAD also took the #3 spot in our “Best Photography Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Savannah College of Art and Design are $38,975, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full SCAD Photography Report

#21

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, California
#8 in overall quality

California Institute of the Arts ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Valencia, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s photography degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

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

Read more about Photography at CalArts

#22

The New School

New York, New York
#11 in overall quality

The New School came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. The New School is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 15 masters’s photography degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Read full report on Photography at The New School

#23

New York Film Academy

Burbank, California
#22 in overall quality

New York Film Academy did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Photography Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. New York Film Academy is a small school located in Burbank, California that handed out 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at New York Film Academy are $35,457, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Photography at New York Film Academy

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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