Key takeaways
- There is an excellent variety of colleges and universities in Arizona with digital photography programs, catering to various interests and skill levels.
- You can choose public colleges in Phoenix and Flagstaff like Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University.
- Photography programs may include traditional and digital photography, visual storytelling, digital media, and more, allowing students to tailor their education to their interests.
- When selecting a college, it’s essential to consider factors like campus facilities, access to photography studios, and overall campus life.
- Compare tuition fees and additional costs, such as housing, to ensure the program fits within your budget.
- Arizona’s diverse landscapes and climates, like the desert heat of Phoenix or the cooler regions of northern areas, can influence your college experience.
- Arizona State University offers a fully online digital photography degree, providing flexibility for students who need a work-study balance.
If you’re passionate about digital photography and seeking higher education in Arizona, you’re in luck! Arizona boasts a diverse range of colleges and universities offering digital photography programs that cater to various interests and skill levels. From public institutions like Arizona State University to private colleges such as Grand Canyon University, students can find programs that fit their educational needs and career aspirations.
So, to help you get started with your college planning, here is a list of highlighted colleges and universities in Arizona, and everything you need to know about digital photography degree.
Explore highly-ranked colleges in Arizona for digital photography
Without further delay, let’s explore the variety of digital photography colleges and universities in Arizona!
Northern Arizona University — best overall
Northern Arizona University (NAU) offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Studio Art with a focus on Photography. This is one of the most popular colleges in Flagstaff, AZ, and has been around since 1899. Moreover, this public school has a high acceptance rate of 80%, with an average GPA requirement of 3.7.
Besides, the digital photography college degree at NAU is known for its forward approach. The program focuses on teaching photography as an applied art, with more focus on practical experience than theoretical.
Most notably, the program teaches business acumen to complement the creative skills students develop during this program. As a result, finding an edge in the saturated digital photography market is easier for NAU graduates. Lastly, the photography college degree at NAU requires 120 credits, a thesis or capstone project, and a minimum of 2.5 GPA.
| Location:
Flagstaff, AZ |
GPA requirement:
3.7 |
Acceptance rate:
80% |
Tuition fee:
$11,352 for in-state, and $27,600 for out-of-state students. Price excludes housing allowance and other charges |
University of Arizona, Global campus — best digital photography program
The University of Arizona offers a photography program through its School of Art, providing students with a comprehensive education in both traditional and contemporary photographic practices. The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art in Photography, Video & Imaging, is one of the most detailed programs offered to develop essential skills in aspiring photographers.
Firstly, the program requires the completion of 125 credits. Secondly, it uses advanced photography facilities to teach students not only still imaging, but also motion pictures and post-production processes like editing and image enhancement. The facilities at this college are top-notch, including digital studios, photo labs, and conventional and modern dark rooms.
More importantly, we strongly recommend this program to students who are eager to learn photography in line with recent technological advancements such as AI. The college incorporates up-to-date photography trends so that students are prepared enough to face the real job market. Overall, U of A is an excellent college for aspiring photographers, with an acceptance rate of 87% and an average GPA requirement of 3.5.
| Location:
Tucson, AZ |
GPA requirement:
3.5 |
Acceptance rate:
87% |
Tuition fee:
$13,900 for in-state, and $42,300 for out-of-state students. Price excludes housing allowance and other charges |
Grand Canyon University — lowest GPA requirement
Many colleges and universities in Arizona do not offer any standalone degrees or digital photography majors. However, they do offer a mix of other programs that offer emphasis or concentration areas allowing students to pick their desired field and pursue a career in that.
Similarly, Grand Canyon University offers a degree in Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Digital Design with an Emphasis in Digital Film. This is one of the best colleges in Phoenix, AZ. Firstly, the program takes you through many various courses that help develop business acumen. For example, core courses focus on advertising and its connection to digital design and photography.
The BA in Digital Design with an Emphasis in Digital Film covers various aspects of digital media, including photography, film production, graphic design, and multimedia storytelling. Moreover, you will learn the fundamentals of visual storytelling, including composition, lighting, editing, and digital imaging techniques.
Overall, GCU is an excellent choice for students looking for an easily accessible college. In brief, the college has an 83% acceptance rate with a low GPA requirement of just 3.0. It also has a variety of active sports teams, along with incredible housing options, and 49% ethnic diversity in its student body.
| Location:
Phoenix, AZ |
GPA requirement:
3.0 |
Acceptance rate:
83% |
Tuition fee:
$16,500 excluding fees, housing, and other charges |
Arizona State University — best online flexibility
There has been a rampant increase in online education and degrees in the US. Numerous reasons contribute to the increasing popularity of online education, and most of these reasons might encourage you to explore the option of digital photography degree online courses and classes.
Luckily, if you are looking for the top colleges in Arizona, you can find many options for an online degree. One of the best, Arizona State University rankings shows that it is the best place to kickstart your journey as a successful photographer.
For starters, the college has a 100% online degree in photography that you can attend from anywhere. The degree is specially designed to allow students to enjoy self-paced learning. Moreover, you can conveniently work full-time jobs along with this degree to get further progression in your photography career.
The online degree also reduces your higher education expenses. In fact, if you are looking for photography schools out-of-state, then the online photography program at ASU is your best bet. Lastly, the college has been ranked highly by U.S. News and mother agencies. It has an acceptance rate of 82%.
| Location:
Tempe, AZ |
GPA requirement:
3.5 |
Acceptance rate:
90% |
Tuition fee:
$11,308 for first-year in-state students. $31,450 for first-year out-of-state students. Prices exclude housing allowance and other charges |
How to choose the right digital photography universities in Arizona?
Before you dig into the list of colleges offering a digital photography degree, make sure you have gone through the essential factors and considerations. These will help you pick the right institute.
Program coursework
Program coursework such as core courses, electives, concentration areas, credit hours, and studio hours are essential to consider when looking for a digital photography major.
Campus life
Campus life is very important especially if you are staying on campus. Factors like access to public transport, neighborhood safety, and access to essentials like grocery stores are very critical.
Cost of attendance
College degrees in Arizona can be costly, adding to the living expenses as well. Therefore, you should compare the variety of colleges and universities in Arizona based on how much each costs. Weighing the financial factor will also allow you to look into appropriate financial aid options.
Things you need to know about colleges and universities in Arizona
Arizona is one of the most diverse states in the US. It is home to various types of landscapes, climates, and city infrastructure. Living here as a college student will be an enriching experience, as it offers so much variety in all aspects of life.
As far as the quality of higher education is concerned, Arizona is home to some of the most popular public and private colleges in the USA. The University of Arizona, for example, is the best college that offers hundreds of majors, including digital photography and visual arts.
The best is that the state has an excellent range of job opportunities in various fields. Due to its relatively diverse and strong economy, you can find a good variety of digital photography jobs in Arizona. Other than that, there are great career opportunities for human resources and sociology degree jobs as well.
Here are some notable things you should know about studying in Arizona:
- The climate is rather different from other states. It has hot summers and mild winters, and mostly desert climate in major cities like Phoenix.
- Northern Arizona, such as Flagstaff City, has a cooler climate.
- Many great natural landscapes qualify as great recreational activities. As a student, you will have opportunities to enjoy your days off.
- Housing and overall living costs are moderate in suburbs. However, living on campus is a much more convenient option as popular colleges in Arizona offer a variety of housing options.
- You will find schools and universities in Arizona to be much more culturally diverse.
- After completing your graduation, you can choose between the fast-paced lives in urban areas like Phoenix, or slow life in the suburbs and rural cities.
Considering that there are so many great prospects and potential in Arizona, it might be best to explore all your options. You should look into colleges offering different types of degrees, such as a degree in HR or criminology.
Moreover, nearby states also offer great educational opportunities. Take a look!
- Explore HR colleges in California
- Explore sociology colleges in New York
- Explore sociology colleges in Colorado
Enroll in the right digital photography colleges in Arizona!
We can agree that Arizona is home to many amazing institutes including public and private colleges. However, it can be taxing to select any particular college for the next 4 years of your life. Not only that, but a college degree is most likely to shape your career opportunities and professional life.
Therefore, this is an important decision that requires a lot of consideration. For example, to choose colleges and universities in Arizona for a digital photography degree, you must explore factors like program coursework, campus life, and cost of attendance.
Your individual needs and preferences play an important role here. You may be drawn to the vibrant arts scene in cities like Phoenix, or prefer the cooler climate of Northern Arizona. Luckily, there’s a digital photography bachelor program that fits your needs easily.
Institutions like Northern Arizona University, the University of Arizona, and Grand Canyon University offer diverse programs with unique strengths. As you set up to hop on this educational journey, consider how each college aligns with your career goals and personal preferences.