Best Schools for Photography in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall photography education in California.
Top Schools in Photography
Our analysis ranked California State University Sacramento the best school in the country for a degree in photography. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 photography students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data 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 is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in photography, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Cypress College awarded about 10 photography degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full photography program report for 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. California Institute Of The Arts graduates 67% of students within six years. About 19 photography degrees were awarded at California Institute Of The Arts in the most recent 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.
See the full photography program report for California Institute Of The Arts
Santa Ana College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in photography, ranking #4. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. There were roughly 13 photography students who graduated with this degree at Santa Ana College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the photography program make about $39,633 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete this degree.
See the full photography program report for Santa Ana College
Citrus College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in photography, ranking #5. This large public university is located in the suburb of Glendora. About 17 photography degrees were awarded at Citrus College in the most recent year.
Get the full photography details for Citrus College
Cabrillo College landed the #6 spot for photography this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Aptos. There were roughly 25 photography students who graduated with this degree at Cabrillo College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their photography degree from Cabrillo College earn around $47,750 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete this degree.
Get the full photography details for Cabrillo College
Modesto Junior College came in at #7 for photography this year. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. There were roughly 12 photography students who graduated with this degree at Modesto Junior College in the most recent data year. Photography graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. Modesto Junior College graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans.
Get the full photography details for Modesto Junior College
Art Center College Of Design landed the #8 spot for photography this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. There were roughly 15 photography students who graduated with this degree at Art Center College Of Design in the most recent data year. Graduates of the photography program make about $22,988 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000.
Get the full photography details for Art Center College Of Design
New York Film Academy landed the #9 spot for photography this year. New York Film Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Burbank. About 68% of students finish within six years. New York Film Academy awarded about 20 photography degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from New York Film Academy generally make around $16,793. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full photography details for New York Film Academy
Academy Of Art University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best photography schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. There were roughly 54 photography students who graduated with this degree at Academy Of Art University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the photography program make about $31,814 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $34,571.
See the full photography program report for Academy Of Art University
Victor Valley College landed the #11 spot for photography this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Victorville. Victor Valley College awarded about 14 photography degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their photography degree from Victor Valley College earn around $37,755 in the first couple years of their career. Victor Valley College graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans.
Get the full photography details for Victor Valley College
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 51 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.
