Best Colleges for Film/Video and Photographic Arts 2026
20 schools ranked by graduate earnings, real data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Top 20 Film/Video and Photographic Arts Programs by Graduate Earnings
| # | School | Earnings | Tuition | Accept Rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | American University Washington, DC | $58,692 | $56,543 | 47% | 7,593 |
| 2 | Tufts University Medford, MA | $56,4181yr | $67,844 | 10% | 6,804 |
| 3 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA | $51,7721yr | $17,040 | 69% | 39,503 |
| 4 | Chapman University Orange, CA | $51,451 | $62,784 | 56% | 7,629 |
| 5 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FL | $48,058 | $18,786 | 25% | 31,812 |
| 6 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA | $48,046 | $68,237 | 10% | 20,817 |
| 7 | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA | $47,214 | $45,742 | 28% | 23,205 |
| 8 | New York University New York, NY | $46,932 | $60,438 | 9% | 29,430 |
| 9 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI | $46,789 | $58,072 | 18% | 33,488 |
| 10 | Rhode Island School of Design Providence, RI | $45,571 | $59,760 | 14% | 2,090 |
| 11 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ | $45,458 | $41,095 | 86% | 40,769 |
| 12 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | $44,860 | $44,524 | 9% | 33,040 |
| 13 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA | $44,697 | $46,024 | 42% | 31,777 |
| 14 | Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY | $44,230 | $67,805 | 18% | 2,430 |
| 15 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT | $44,182 | $6,496 | 69% | 32,221 |
| 16 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY | $42,962 | $30,572 | 69% | 20,284 |
| 17 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NY | $42,820 | $15,332 | 54% | 16,642 |
| 18 | Ithaca College Ithaca, NY | $42,620 | $50,510 | 70% | 4,350 |
| 19 | Emerson College Boston, MA | $42,467 | $55,392 | 47% | 4,145 |
| 20 | CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NY | $42,028 | $15,402 | 54% | 10,443 |
Film/Video and Photographic Arts is a field of study that develops specialized knowledge and skills applicable across a range of professional settings. Undergraduate programs typically combine foundational coursework with applied projects, laboratory work, or research experiences designed to prepare graduates for entry-level careers or advanced study.
Graduates are well-positioned for careers across multiple industries. Career paths and earning potential vary depending on the specific concentration, graduate degree attainment, and employer. The rankings below are based on actual graduate earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, which tracks median earnings for graduates of each school-major combination.
When evaluating Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs, consider accreditation status, research and internship opportunities, faculty expertise, and the school's alumni network in your target career field. The earnings data on this page provides an objective, evidence-based signal to help you compare programs by real-world financial outcomes.
Earnings shown are median graduate earnings 4 years after graduation (or 1 year if 4-year data is unavailable), sourced from the College Scorecard.See full major data
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See earnings data for all 140 schools offering Film/Video and Photographic Arts, including debt figures and graduate counts.
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What should I look for in a Film/Video and Photographic Arts program?
Look for programs with relevant accreditation, strong research or internship opportunities, experienced faculty with industry connections, and alumni networks in the careers you want to pursue. Hands-on learning experiences and career placement rates are also important indicators of program quality.
What careers can I pursue with a Film/Video and Photographic Arts degree?
A Film/Video and Photographic Arts degree prepares graduates for a range of careers depending on the specific concentration and any graduate study pursued. Review the program's placement data and alumni outcomes to understand where graduates from a specific school tend to land after graduation.
How much do Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduates earn?
Earnings for Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduates vary by school, specialization, and career path. The rankings on this page reflect verified median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, giving you a school-level view of real financial outcomes for this major.