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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Photography

209 Ranked Colleges
2,184 Degrees Awarded
$40,800 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 2,184 people earned their degree in photography, making the major the 310th most popular in the United States.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major” ranking looked at 209 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in photography. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in photography.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Photography

1
SFAI crest
San Francisco Art Institute
San Francisco, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Francisco Art Institute. The school came in at #1 for the Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major. San Francisco Art Institute is located in San Francisco, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s photography degrees to qualified students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Photography at San Francisco Art Institute

2
SVA crest
School of Visual Arts
New York, New York

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend School of Visual Arts. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major. This small school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 113 ’s photography degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Photography at School of Visual Arts

3

Out of the 209 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbus College of Art and Design landed the #3 spot on the list. Columbus College of Art and Design is a small school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 21 ’s photography degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Columbus College of Art and Design Photography Report

4
Moore College crest
Moore College of Art and Design
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Out of the 209 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Moore College of Art and Design landed the #4 spot on the list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s photography degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

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

Read more about Photography at Moore College of Art and Design

5

Out of the 209 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Delaware College of Art and Design landed the #5 spot on the list. This small school is located in Wilmington, Delaware, and it awarded 3 ’s photography degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Full Delaware College of Art and Design Photography Report

6
CalArts crest
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, California

California Institute of the Arts came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major ranking. CalArts is located in Valencia, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 25 ’s photography degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California Institute of the Arts Photography Report

7
Living Arts College crest
Living Arts College
Raleigh, North Carolina

Living Arts College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major ranking. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s photography degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Photography at Living Arts College

8
AAC crest
Art Academy of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio

Art Academy of Cincinnati landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major ranking. AAC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate 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 more about Photography at AAC

9
Carnbrook Academy crest
Cranbrook Academy of Art
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Cranbrook Academy of Art did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major ranking, coming in at #9. This small school is located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 4 ’s photography degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Cranbrook Academy of Art Photography Report

10
Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California

Academy of Art University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major ranking, coming in at #10. San Francisco, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s photography degrees to 93 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Academy of Art University Photography Report

11

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major ranking. Lancaster, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s photography degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Photography at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

12

With a ranking of #12, Massachusetts College of Art and Design did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major list. Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a small school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 26 ’s photography degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Massachusetts College of Art and Design Photography Report

13

Pacific Northwest College of Art did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major ranking, coming in at #13. Pacific Northwest College of Art is located in Portland, Oregon and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s photography degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Photography at Pacific Northwest College of Art

14
UArts crest
The University of the Arts
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The University of the Arts ranked #14 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major list. UArts is a small school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 20 ’s photography degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Photography at The University of the Arts

15

Maryland Institute College of Art did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major ranking, coming in at #15. Maryland Institute College of Art is a private not-for-profit institution located in Baltimore, Maryland. The school has a small population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Photography at Maryland Institute College of Art

16
Kansas City Art Institute crest
Kansas City Art Institute
Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City Art Institute did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 7 degrees to qualified ’s photography students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Photography at Kansas City Art Institute

17

College for Creative Studies came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major ranking. Detroit, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s photography degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

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

Read full report on Photography at CCS

18

With a ranking of #18, Savannah College of Art and Design did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major list. Savannah College of Art and Design is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Savannah, Georgia. It awarded 114 ’s photography degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad 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 full report on Photography at SCAD

19

Minneapolis College of Art and Design did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major ranking, coming in at #19. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s photography degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Photography at Minneapolis College of Art and Design

20
Art Center College of Design crest
Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, California

Art Center College of Design landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major ranking. Art Center College of Design is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pasadena, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Art Center College of Design Photography Report

21
Columbia crest
Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Columbia College Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major ranking, coming in at #21. Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 44 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Photography at Columbia

22
The Academy crest
American Academy of Art
Chicago, Illinois

American Academy of Art came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major ranking. The Academy is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 ’s photography degrees to qualified students.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full American Academy of Art Photography Report

23
Villa crest
Villa Maria College
Buffalo, New York

Villa Maria College ranked #23 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major list. Villa is a private not-for-profit institution located in Buffalo, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Villa Maria College Photography Report

24

With a ranking of #24, Cleveland Institute of Art did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major list. Cleveland Institute of Art is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Photography at Cleveland Institute of Art

25
New York Film Academy crest
New York Film Academy
Burbank, California

New York Film Academy landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major ranking. Burbank, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s photography degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate 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. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% 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 New York Film Academy Photography Report

Rest of the Best 32 in Schools Highly Focused on Photography Major

Not only did these schools make the top 32 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
Purchase College crest
Purchase College
Purchase, New York
27
28
New School University crest
The New School
New York, New York
29
California College of the Arts crest
California College of the Arts
San Francisco, California
30
FHU crest
Freed-Hardeman University
Henderson, Tennessee
31
MSU-Bottineau crest
Dakota College at Bottineau
Bottineau, North Dakota
32
Harcum College crest
Harcum College
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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