Anyone can pick up a camera and start snapping pictures, but if you're serious about a career in photography, you should earn a degree in photography.
These programs teach you skills you may not know otherwise, put you in a position to obtain honest feedback, and can help you reach your career goals.
Best Colleges for Photography
Many colleges and universities across the United States offer photography degrees. We've listed our top choices below in alphabetical order.
1. California Institute of the Arts
The California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) is a private art university in Santa Clarita, CA. It offers both a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in photography.
The BFA program is a four-year program. It includes courses such as:
- Basic Lighting
- Color Darkroom Printing
- Exhibition Production
- Lightroom/Photoshop
The MFA program is two years long. Courses offered include:
- Advanced Digital Color
- Artist as Writer
- Color Lab: Darkroom to Digital
- Film on Photo/Vice Versa
Both programs prepare students to become artists and photographers in a wide range of industries.
2. Columbia College Chicago
Columbia College Chicago is a private college in Chicago focused on art and business. It offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a BFA in photography.
The BFA program requires 72 credits in the major, while the BA program requires 42 core credits. Students in the BA have the option to choose one of four concentrations:
- commercial photography
- fashion photography
- fine art photography
- integrated photography
In the final year of your program, you'll display your work in an exhibition at Columbia's urban arts festival.
3. Parsons School of Design
Parsons School of Design is a private art and design college in New York City's Greenwich Village. While perhaps best known for fashion design, it has many excellent art and design programs.
Students at Parsons can earn both a BFA and MFA in photography. Both are offered full time and on campus.
The BFA program is a research-based, studio-intensive program that takes four years to complete. It includes courses such as:
- History of Photography
- Intro to Visual Culture
- Objects as History
- Photo Topics
The MFA program is a two-year program that focuses on the creative role of photography in contemporary culture. Students participate in independent study and thesis exhibitions.
4. Rhode Island School of Design
The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is a private art and design school with a nearly 150-year history in Providence, RI. It offers a BFA and an MFA in photography.
Students begin the BFA program when they're sophomores. Courses offered in the BFA include:
- Antique and Alternate Processes
- Digital Imaging
- Histories of Photography
- The Image in Space and Time
The MFA program is a two-year program and is made up mainly of seminars, critiques, and thesis projects.
5. Rochester Institute of Technology
The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a private research university in Rochester, NY, dedicated to technology, the arts, and design. It offers multiple photography degrees.
The BFA in photographic and imaging arts provides students with a hands-on immersion in creativity and innovation. It offers four concentration options:
- advertising photography
- fine art photography
- photojournalism
- visual media
The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in photographic sciences is part art, part science major. It trains students how to use photography to capture images and collect scientific data.
Graduate students can earn an MFA in photography and related media. This is a two-year program that offers students an expansive interpretation of photography.
6. Savannah College of Art and Design
The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is a private art institute based in Savannah, GA. It offers two bachelor's degrees in photography and two master's degrees.
Both the BA and BFA programs require 180 quarter credits. The BFA program offers three concentrations:
- commercial photography
- documentary photography
- fine art photography
The Master of Arts in photography degree requires 45 quarter credits and a portfolio, while the MFA requires 90 and a thesis. Both require the completion of an internship.
All photography programs at SCAD are available in person or online.
7. University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a public research university in Tucson, AZ. It offers photography degrees at both the bachelor's and master's levels.
The BFA degree is a degree in studio art with an emphasis in photography, video, and imaging. It offers a progressive approach to photography that expands the boundaries of the photography medium.
The MFA degree has an art major and an emphasis in photography, video, and imaging. It's a three-year program that helps students refine their technical and communication skills.
FAQS About the Best Colleges with a Photography Major
Find the answers to frequently asked questions about earning a photography degree.
Do I Need a Degree to Become a Photographer?
While you do not need a degree to become a photographer, a photography degree gives you the chance to expand your knowledge and gain valuable feedback on your work.
Additionally, some employers may require you to hold a degree in photography before you can be hired.
How Long Is a Photography Degree Program?
While the length of a photography degree program can vary, most bachelor's degrees take four years to complete. Master's programs can range from one to three years.
How Much Does a Photography Degree Program Cost?
The cost of a photography degree program depends on several factors, including the school and what financial aid you qualify for.
Find a College with a Photography Major Today
Many colleges and universities in the U.S. offer photography majors. Check out the programs above to get started today.