Best Schools for Photography in the United States
Below are the best photography schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
Top Schools in Photography
New York University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in photography. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 50 photography degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Photography graduates of New York University earn a median of $15,801 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250.
More information about a degree in photography from New York University
Yale University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best photography schools. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. About 96% of students finish within six years. Yale University awarded about 10 photography degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their photography degree from Yale University earn around $74,578 in the first couple years of their career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans.
Read more about the photography program at Yale University
Students looking for a strong photography program will find one at Savannah College Of Art And Design, which ranked #3. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Savannah. Savannah College Of Art And Design graduates 69% of students within six years. Savannah College Of Art And Design awarded about 21 photography degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their photography degree from Savannah College Of Art And Design earn around $37,493 in the first couple years of their career. Savannah College Of Art And Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in photography from Savannah College Of Art And Design
The New School came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best photography schools. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. The New School awarded about 18 photography degrees in the most recent data year. Photography graduates of The New School earn a median of $21,523 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,829.
See the full photography program report for The New School
School Of Visual Arts is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in photography, landing the #5 spot this year. School Of Visual Arts is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 41 photography students who graduated with this degree at School Of Visual Arts in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from School Of Visual Arts generally make around $33,463. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in photography from School Of Visual Arts
Art Center College Of Design placed #6 among the best photography schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Art Center College Of Design graduates 79% of students within six years. About 15 photography degrees were awarded at Art Center College Of Design in the most recent year. Photography graduates of Art Center College Of Design earn a median of $22,988 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree.
See the full photography program report for Art Center College Of Design
Academy Of Art University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best photography schools. Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. There were roughly 28 photography students who graduated with this degree at Academy Of Art University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their photography degree from Academy Of Art University earn around $41,911 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $34,571.
More information about a degree in photography from Academy Of Art University
Other Photography Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Photography rankings across degree levels:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 258 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.
