Is photography your passion? Do you have the interest to get a degree in photography? Find out which are the best schools offering photography courses or programs in the United States.
Photography is a highly versatile career that allows individuals to work in any number of different exciting environments, whether that is freelance or a contract with certain businesses or institutions.
The United States is home to hundreds of schools, colleges, and universities offering top degrees in photography. To get you started on the work of your dreams, view our complete list and choose the best for your education. Good Luck!!
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Founded in 1866, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is one of America’s largest schools of art and design. SAIC offers classes in art and technology; arts administration; art history, theory, and criticism; art education and art therapy; photography; printmaking etc. SAIC also offers an interdisciplinary Low-Residency MFA for students wishing to study fine arts and/or writing.
Founded In: 1880
Ranking: 1st
Tuition & Fees: $45,750
Finance and Adm. Office Contact: +1 312-443-3600
Website: http://www.saic.edu/
Rochester Institute of Technology – College Of Imaging Arts & Sciences
Founded in 1829, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a private doctoral university has a College Of Imaging Arts & Sciences. The collection grows every year through the Purchase Prize Program, which enables the Institute to purchase select artworks from students in the School of Art and Design, the School for American Crafts, and the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences.
Founded In: 1829
Ranking: 2nd
Tuition & Fees: $39,506
Finance and Adm. Office Contact: (585) 475-2716
Website: https://cias.rit.edu/
Yale University – School of Art
Founded n 1869, The Yale School of Art is the art school of Yale University. It grants Masters of Fine Arts degrees to students completing a two-year course in graphic design, painting/printmaking, photography, or sculpture. Yale College, the undergraduate division of Yale University, offers a Bachelor of Arts degree program with a major in Art. Undergraduate applicants wishing to major in Art at Yale must apply to Yale College directly.
Founded In: 1869
Ranking: 3rd
Tuition & Fees: $36,359
Finance and Adm. Office Contact: +1 203-432-2600
Website: http://art.yale.edu/
California Institute of the Arts
Founded in 1969, The California Institute of the Arts is a private university. It offers Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees among six schools: Art; Critical Studies; Dance; Film/Video; Music; and Theater. CalArts provides a collaborative environment for a diversity of artists. CalArts offers degree programs in music, art, dance, film and video, animation, theater, puppetry, and writing.
Founded In: 1969
Ranking: 4th
Tuition & Fees: $45,646
Finance and Adm. Office Contact: 661-255-1050
Website: https://calarts.edu/
Rhode Island School of Design
Founded in 1877, Rhode Island School of Design is a fine art and design college. The two institutions share social, academic, and community resources and offer joint courses. It offers 16 undergraduate majors and 17 graduate majors.
Founded In: 1877
Ranking: 5th
Tuition & Fees: $46,800
Finance and Adm. Office Contact: +1 401-454-6100
Website: https://www.risd.edu/
UNM Department of Art & Art History
Founded in 1899, The University of New Mexico is a public research university has a Department of Art & Art History. UNM offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degree programs in a wide variety of fields. The University of New Mexico offers more than 215-degree and certificate programs, including 94 baccalaureates, 71 masters, and 37 doctoral degrees, through 12 colleges and schools.
Founded In: 1899
Ranking: 6th
Tuition & Fees: $46,800
Finance and Adm. Office Contact: +1 505-277-5861
Website: http://art.unm.edu/
UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture
Founded in 1939, The UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture is a professional school at the University of California. Through the four degree-granting departments. It provides a range of course offerings and programs. Additionally, there are eight centers located within the school. Three public arts institutions, including a major performing arts program (UCLA Live), are located within the School of the Arts and Architecture.
Founded In: 1939
Ranking: 7th
Tuition & Fees: $31,920
Finance and Adm. Office Contact: +1 310-825-3281
Website: http://www.arts.ucla.edu/
School of Visual Arts
Founded in 1947, School of Visual Arts (SVA) is a for-profit art and design college. SVA Arts Abroad offers short-term study abroad programs in various creative fields. SVA also owns the buildings located at 132 and 136 West 21st Street, which have offices, classrooms, and studios for art criticism, art education, art therapy, cartooning, computer art, design, illustration, and writing.
Founded In: 1947
Ranking: 8th
Tuition & Fees: $36,500
Finance and Adm. Office Contact: +1 212-592-2000
Website: http://www.sva.edu/
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
Founded in 2009, The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University. It offers more than 45 undergraduate degrees and concentrations and more than 70 graduate degrees and concentrations. The Herberger Institute comprises five schools: the School of Art; the School of Arts, Media and Engineering; The Design School; the School of Film, Dance, and Theatre; and the School of Music. It also houses the ASU Art Museum.
Founded In: 2009
Ranking: 9th
Tuition & Fees: $10,522
Finance and Adm. Office Contact: +1 480-965-6536
Website: https://herbergerinstitute.asu.edu/
Columbia College Chicago
Founded in 1890, Columbia College Chicago is an independent, non-profit liberal arts college. It offers more than 100 undergraduate and 15 graduate degree programs. The School of Fine and Performing Arts is composed of nine departments: Art & Design; Arts, Entertainment & Media Management; Dance; Dance Movement Therapy & Counseling; Music; Photography; Sherwood Conservatory; and Theater.
Founded In: 1890
Ranking: 10th
Tuition & Fees: $13,045
Finance and Adm. Office Contact: +1 312-369-1000
Website: https://www.colum.edu/
