Compare 12 Photography. programs in Pennsylvania. Average earnings: $30,052.
The highest-earning Photography program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $25K earnings gap across 12 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus leads with Photography graduates earning $40,390, well above the state average of $30,052. Drexel University follows at $38,897, while DeSales University rounds out the top three at $35,443. This variation shows program quality matters more than overall school reputation.
High earnings don't guarantee affordability. Penn State Photography graduates face a 19% payment burden despite strong outcomes, placing it in the 'Challenging' category. With student debt averaging $25,000 across top programs, the debt-to-earnings ratios range from 0.62 to 0.73—meaning graduates need strategic financial planning.
Highest program earnings: $40,390
Strong outcomes with 80% acceptance
19.2% payment burden | Challenging
53.2% family burden | High burden
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $40,390 | 59 | $25,000 | Challenging | $38,368 | High | |
| #2 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | $38,897 | 32 | $25,325 | Challenging | $40,932 | High |
| #3 | Desales UniversityPrivate | $35,443 | 14 | $25,788 | High | $33,790 | High |
| #4 | Temple UniversityPublic | $35,213 | 169 | $24,395 | High | $36,495 | High |
| #5 | Point Park UniversityPrivate | $34,594 | 35 | $27,000 | High | $24,041 | High |
| #6 | Lafayette CollegePrivate | $33,993 | 18 | $16,000 | Challenging | $59,000 | High |
| #7 | University Of The ArtsPrivate | $33,100 | 42 | $27,000 | High | $71,040 | High |
| #8 | $28,704 | 35 | $24,250 | High | $35,031 | High | |
| #9 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $24,035 | 25 | $15,715 | High | $33,124 | High |
| #10 | $24,035 | 7 | $26,000 | High | $68,228 | High | |
| #11 | Messiah UniversityPrivate | $16,663 | 9 | $25,621 | High | $37,908 | High |
| #12 | Muhlenberg CollegePrivate | $15,552 | 15 | $25,455 | High | $48,779 | 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 →
