Compare 164 Photography. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $33,954. Top programs: $58,692+.
Photography programs produce graduates earning between $42,962 and $58,692—a $15.7K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 164 ranked programs nationally, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation alone.
American University's Photography program leads with graduates earning $58,692, well above the $33,954 average across all programs. Tufts University follows at $56,418, while Brandeis University rounds out the top three at $55,942. The data shows selective programs can deliver strong outcomes, but earnings variation exists even among highly ranked institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Tufts graduates borrow $16,250 and face just a 6.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, Brigham Young University leads with a 14.1% family burden—manageable payments that won't strain post-graduation budgets.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | American UniversityPrivate | $58,692 | 47 | $22,750 | Good | $39,169 | High |
| #2 | Tufts UniversityPrivate | $56,418 | 37 | $16,250 | Excellent | $38,325 | Challenging |
| #3 | Brandeis UniversityPrivate | $55,942 | 23 | $25,648 | Good | $35,451 | High |
| #4 | Fairfield UniversityPrivate | $55,636 | 6 | $26,000 | Good | $50,500 | High |
| #5 | Chapman UniversityPrivate | $51,451 | 158 | $20,500 | Good | $44,954 | High |
| #6 | Carleton CollegePrivate | $48,388 | 28 | $16,750 | Good | $31,271 | High |
| #7 | Florida State UniversityPublic | $48,058 | 30 | $18,000 | Good | $17,000 | Challenging |
| #8 | $48,046 | 224 | $18,000 | Good | $31,803 | High | |
| #9 | $47,214 | 159 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | Challenging | |
| #10 | New York UniversityPrivate | $46,932 | 465 | $20,500 | Good | $64,795 | High |
| #11 | Taylor UniversityPrivate | $46,804 | 16 | $20,500 | Good | $45,174 | High |
| #12 | $46,789 | 74 | $19,500 | Good | $30,250 | High | |
| #13 | $45,571 | 50 | $27,000 | Manageable | $57,691 | High | |
| #14 | University Of ArizonaPublic | $45,458 | 73 | $19,620 | Good | $30,126 | High |
| #15 | $44,860 | 29 | $14,000 | Good | $26,176 | High | |
| #16 | $44,754 | 17 | $19,500 | Manageable | $40,025 | High | |
| #17 | $44,697 | 60 | $13,000 | Good | $25,733 | High | |
| #18 | Vassar CollegePrivate | $44,230 | 19 | $18,625 | Good | $44,501 | High |
| #19 | Brigham Young UniversityPrivate | $44,182 | 53 | $11,069 | Excellent | $9,699 | Manageable |
| #20 | University At BuffaloPublic | $42,962 | 78 | $19,000 | Manageable | $20,734 | High |
| #21 | Cuny Hunter CollegePublic | $42,820 | 48 | $11,000 | Excellent | $20,252 | Challenging |
| #22 | Ithaca CollegePrivate | $42,620 | 107 | $24,000 | Manageable | $53,476 | High |
| #23 | Emerson CollegePrivate | $42,467 | 422 | $23,000 | Manageable | $69,996 | High |
| #24 | Cuny Brooklyn CollegePublic | $42,028 | 101 | $11,000 | Excellent | $17,273 | Challenging |
| #25 | $41,945 | 83 | $15,000 | Good | $16,507 | Challenging |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
