Best Schools for Photography in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall photography education in the Far Western Region.
Top Schools in Photography
Our analysis ranked California State University Sacramento the best school in the country for a degree in photography. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 photography degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Photography graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $24,618 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,205.
Read more about the photography program at California State University Sacramento
Cypress College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best photography schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Cypress. About 10 photography degrees were awarded at Cypress College in the most recent year.
More information about a degree in photography from Cypress College
California Institute Of The Arts is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in photography, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Valencia, California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 19 photography students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of The Arts in the most recent data year. Graduates of the photography program make about $24,545 in their early career. California Institute Of The Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full photography details for California Institute Of The Arts
Students looking for a strong photography program will find one at Santa Ana College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. About 13 photography degrees were awarded at Santa Ana College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete this degree.
See the full photography program report for Santa Ana College
Citrus College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in photography, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Citrus College awarded about 17 photography degrees in the most recent data year.
Get the full photography details for Citrus College
Cabrillo College landed the #6 spot for photography this year. Located in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a large public university. About 25 photography degrees were awarded at Cabrillo College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Cabrillo College generally make around $47,750. Cabrillo College graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans.
Read more about the photography program at Cabrillo College
Modesto Junior College placed #7 among 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.
Get the full photography details for Modesto Junior College
Art Center College Of Design placed #8 among the best photography schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. Art Center College Of Design graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 photography students who graduated with this degree at Art Center College Of Design in the most recent data year. Photography graduates of Art Center College Of Design earn a median of $22,988 early in their careers. Art Center College Of Design graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans.
See the full photography program report for Art Center College Of Design
New York Film Academy landed the #9 spot for photography this year. Set in the city of Burbank, New York Film Academy is a small private for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 photography students who graduated with this degree at New York Film Academy in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from New York Film Academy generally make around $16,793. Typical student debt for the program is $20,250.
More information about a degree in photography from New York Film Academy
Academy Of Art University earned the #10 position for photography this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 54 photography degrees were awarded at Academy Of Art University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Academy Of Art University generally make around $31,814. Academy Of Art University graduates carry a median of $34,571 in student loans.
More information about a degree in photography from Academy Of Art University
Victor Valley College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best photography schools. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 14 photography students who graduated with this degree at Victor Valley College in the most recent data year. Photography graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in photography from Victor Valley College
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 56 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.
