2027 Best Photography Schools in New York
Photography is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best photography schools.
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Best Schools for Photography in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall photography education in New York.
Top Schools in Photography
New York University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in photography. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. New York University awarded about 44 photography degrees in the most recent data year. Photography graduates of New York University earn a median of $19,835 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in photography from New York University
Syracuse University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in photography, ranking #2. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 photography students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their photography degree from Syracuse University earn around $26,331 in the first couple years of their career. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the photography program at Syracuse University
Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best photography schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 47 photography degrees were awarded at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $28,858. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full photography details for Rochester Institute Of Technology
The New School is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in photography, ranking #4. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 93 photography students who graduated with this degree at The New School in the most recent data year. Students who receive their photography degree from The New School earn around $21,523 in the first couple years of their career. The New School graduates carry a median of $25,829 in student loans.
See the full photography program report for The New School
Suffolk County Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in photography, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 16 photography students who graduated with this degree at Suffolk County Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Suffolk County Community College graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans.
More information about a degree in photography from Suffolk County Community College
Pratt Institute Main ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best photography schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 74% of students finish within six years. Pratt Institute Main awarded about 44 photography degrees in the most recent data year. Photography graduates of Pratt Institute Main earn a median of $16,710 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full photography program report for Pratt Institute Main
Nassau Community College earned the #7 position for photography this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 12 photography students who graduated with this degree at Nassau Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $38,734. Typical student debt for the program is $11,850.
More information about a degree in photography from Nassau Community College
Suny At Purchase College landed the #8 spot for photography this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Purchase. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 photography students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Purchase College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the photography program make about $18,128 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,949 to complete this degree.
Read more about the photography program at Suny At Purchase College
School Of Visual Arts ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best photography schools. Located in the city of New York, School Of Visual Arts is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 76 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 $26,888. School Of Visual Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full photography program report for School Of Visual Arts
More Photography Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 9 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.
