Compare 19 Photography. programs in New York. Average earnings: $35,754.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Photography tells a different story. Across 19 programs in New York, earnings range from $23,382 to $46,932—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
New York University's Photography program leads with graduates earning $46,932, well above the state average of $35,754. But the surprise is University at Buffalo, a public institution producing graduates earning $42,962—just $4K behind NYU while maintaining a 69% acceptance rate compared to NYU's highly selective 9%.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. CUNY Hunter College graduates borrow $11,000 and face just a 7.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their $42,820 median salary, proving top value doesn't require prestige.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | New York UniversityPrivate | $46,932 | 465 | $20,500 | Good | $64,795 | High |
| #2 | Vassar CollegePrivate | $44,230 | 19 | $18,625 | Good | $44,501 | High |
| #3 | University At BuffaloPublic | $42,962 | 78 | $19,000 | Manageable | $20,734 | High |
| #4 | Cuny Hunter CollegePublic | $42,820 | 48 | $11,000 | Excellent | $20,252 | Challenging |
| #5 | Ithaca CollegePrivate | $42,620 | 107 | $24,000 | Manageable | $53,476 | High |
| #6 | Cuny Brooklyn CollegePublic | $42,028 | 101 | $11,000 | Excellent | $17,273 | Challenging |
| #7 | $41,750 | 137 | $26,778 | Challenging | $35,625 | High | |
| #8 | Cuny City CollegePublic | $40,554 | 26 | $11,990 | Good | $17,460 | Challenging |
| #9 | Binghamton UniversityPublic | $39,864 | 30 | $18,500 | Manageable | $27,270 | High |
| #10 | Pace UniversityPrivate | $38,627 | 51 | $23,250 | Challenging | $46,275 | High |
| #11 | Fordham UniversityPrivate | $36,704 | 60 | $24,300 | Challenging | $37,095 | High |
| #12 | Pratt Institute-MainPrivate | $36,110 | 69 | $26,000 | High | $88,930 | High |
| #13 | Suny At Purchase CollegePublic | $30,237 | 63 | $21,067 | High | $30,798 | High |
| #14 | $28,004 | 36 | $20,880 | High | $19,416 | High | |
| #15 | The New SchoolPrivate | $26,739 | 72 | $22,266 | High | $57,040 | High |
| #16 | $26,353 | 5 | $18,750 | High | $23,871 | High | |
| #17 | Marymount Manhattan CollegePrivate | $25,014 | 29 | $25,750 | High | $84,946 | High |
| #18 | Long Island UniversityPrivate | $24,399 | 16 | $23,577 | High | $36,515 | High |
| #19 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $23,382 | 63 | $26,000 | High | $39,841 | 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 →
