by our College Data Analytics Team
[Film Video And Photographic Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their film video and photographic arts graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 100 schools on the early-career earnings of their film video and photographic arts graduates.
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If you want to know which schools send film video and photographic arts graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Fairfield University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying film video and photographic arts schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Fairfield University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career film video and photographic arts graduates from Fairfield University make a median of around $58,235 per year.
A rank of #2 makes Tufts University one of the highest-paying schools for film video and photographic arts. Tufts University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Early-career film video and photographic arts graduates from Tufts University make a median of around $56,418 per year.
Carleton College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying film video and photographic arts schools. Set in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career film video and photographic arts graduates from Carleton College make a median of around $55,953 per year.
Brandeis University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in film video and photographic arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career film video and photographic arts graduates from Brandeis University make a median of around $50,720 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in film video and photographic arts will find them at Taylor University, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career film video and photographic arts graduates from Taylor University make a median of around $48,581 per year.
Chapman University earned the #6 position for film video and photographic arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Film Video And Photographic Arts graduates of Chapman University earn a median of about $65,834 a year early in their careers.
Southern Methodist University landed the #7 spot for film video and photographic arts salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, film video and photographic arts degree recipients from Southern Methodist University typically earn about $46,722 annually.
Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #8 spot for film video and photographic arts salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public institution. Students who complete the film video and photographic arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,680.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #9 spot for film video and photographic arts salaries this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students who complete the film video and photographic arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,565.
American University landed the #10 spot for film video and photographic arts salaries this year. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the film video and photographic arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,028.
Vassar College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying film video and photographic arts schools. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, film video and photographic arts degree recipients from Vassar College typically earn about $64,947 annually.
Wayne State University earned the #12 position for film video and photographic arts graduate earnings this year. Wayne State University is a public school located in the city of Detroit. Film Video And Photographic Arts graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of about $42,599 a year early in their careers.
Florida State University landed the #13 spot for film video and photographic arts salaries this year. Florida State University is a public school located in the city of Tallahassee. After graduating, film video and photographic arts degree recipients from Florida State University typically earn about $58,465 annually.
University Of Southern California placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for film video and photographic arts. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career film video and photographic arts graduates from University Of Southern California make a median of around $53,923 per year.
Utah Valley University landed the #15 spot for film video and photographic arts salaries this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a public institution. After graduating, film video and photographic arts degree recipients from Utah Valley University typically earn about $41,833 annually.
Woodbury University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying film video and photographic arts schools. Set in the city of Burbank, Woodbury University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, film video and photographic arts degree recipients from Woodbury University typically earn about $51,579 annually.
American Intercontinental University Atlanta came in at #17 for film video and photographic arts graduate earnings this year. American Intercontinental University Atlanta is a private for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. After graduating, film video and photographic arts degree recipients from American Intercontinental University Atlanta typically earn about $39,863 annually.
Point Park University placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for film video and photographic arts. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career film video and photographic arts graduates from Point Park University make a median of around $39,856 per year.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for film video and photographic arts. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Students who complete the film video and photographic arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,508.
Rutgers University Newark placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for film video and photographic arts. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a public institution. After graduating, film video and photographic arts degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark typically earn about $38,508 annually.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #21 for film video and photographic arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Film Video And Photographic Arts graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of about $38,464 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #22 spot for film video and photographic arts salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. Students who complete the film video and photographic arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,687.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying film video and photographic arts schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. Students who complete the film video and photographic arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,971.
Arizona State University placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for film video and photographic arts. Arizona State University is a public school located in the city of Tempe. Early-career film video and photographic arts graduates from Arizona State University make a median of around $48,485 per year.
Arizona State University Skysong placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for film video and photographic arts. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Film Video And Photographic Arts graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of about $48,485 a year early in their careers.
These schools also send film video and photographic arts graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
Explore the highest-paying film video and photographic arts schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries film video and photographic arts graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.