Compare 21 Photography. programs in California. Average earnings: $38,188.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Photography programs tell a different story. Across 21 programs in California, earnings range from $25,031 to $51,451—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Chapman University's Photography program leads with graduates earning $51,451, significantly above the state average of $38,188. University of Southern California follows at $48,046, while UC Santa Barbara delivers $47,214—demonstrating that program excellence emerges across different institutional types.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UC Santa Barbara graduates borrow $13,993 and face just a 7.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Chapman leads in earnings but carries a 9.7% burden, still rated 'Good'—proving smart program choice balances outcomes with affordability.
Highest program earnings: $51,451
Strong outcomes ($51,451) with 56% acceptance
7.8% payment burden | Excellent
24.1% family burden | Challenging
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chapman UniversityPrivate | $51,451 | 158 | $20,500 | Good | $44,954 | High |
| #2 | $48,046 | 224 | $18,000 | Good | $31,803 | High | |
| #3 | $47,214 | 159 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $44,860 | 29 | $14,000 | Good | $26,176 | High | |
| #5 | $44,697 | 60 | $13,000 | Good | $25,733 | High | |
| #6 | $41,945 | 83 | $15,000 | Good | $16,507 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $41,552 | 28 | $25,000 | Challenging | $60,000 | High | |
| #8 | Loyola Marymount UniversityPrivate | $41,149 | 79 | $19,500 | Manageable | $58,361 | High |
| #9 | $41,093 | 185 | $17,500 | Manageable | $18,275 | High | |
| #10 | $40,166 | 125 | $15,000 | Good | $22,665 | High | |
| #11 | Woodbury UniversityPrivate | $39,600 | 25 | $26,960 | Challenging | $39,059 | High |
| #12 | $39,506 | 82 | $13,000 | Good | $28,508 | High | |
| #13 | $39,386 | 218 | $15,371 | Manageable | $19,732 | High | |
| #14 | $35,787 | 60 | $26,968 | High | $48,230 | High | |
| #15 | $34,586 | 211 | $16,666 | Challenging | $28,682 | High | |
| #16 | California College Of AsuPrivate | $33,684 | 114 | $25,000 | High | $47,502 | High |
| #17 | Art Center College Of DesignPrivate | $32,235 | 48 | $31,000 | High | $66,614 | High |
| #18 | Occidental CollegePrivate | $30,526 | 24 | $23,000 | High | $51,450 | High |
| #19 | $30,324 | 14 | $25,949 | High | $23,250 | High | |
| #20 | $25,031 | 19 | $26,063 | High | $31,387 | High | |
| #21 | $19,107 | 28 | $18,000 | High | $18,257 | High |
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 →
