2026 Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in District of Columbia
Film, Video & Photographic Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools to find the best for film, video & photographic arts students.
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Featured Film, Video & Photographic Arts Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
AA in Digital Photography
Take the first step toward a career of visual expression and doing what you love with this online associate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
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BA in Digital Photography
Learn to create a striking portfolio and hone the skills you need to succeed in the world of professional photography with this online digital photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
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Best Schools for Film, Video & Photographic Arts in District of Columbia
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the film, video & photographic arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Film, Video & Photographic Arts
Our analysis ranked American University the best school in the country for a degree in film, video & photographic arts. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 75 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at American University in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of American University earn a median of $39,108 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at American University
Howard University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Howard University awarded about 10 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Howard University earn around $58,495 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Howard University
More Film, Video & Photographic Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 4 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.
