Key takeaways
- Some good colleges in New York with a photography degree include Syracuse University, Rochester Institute of Technology, and CUNY Queens College.
- According to BLS, photography will grow by 4% from 2022 to 2032 with around 14,000 job openings.
- The acceptance rate of New York University is 12.5%.
- The Pratt Institute requires a GPA of 3.78 and a mixture of As and Bs for admission.
- Commercial and freelance photographers earn approximately $100,000 yearly. Other successful photography professions include portrait and fashion photographers.
- The State University of New York at New Paltz is among the most affordable photography colleges with a tuition fee of $27,788 before financial aid.
- The St. John’s University has around 180 student organizations for personal and professional growth.
If photography is your passion, you must have thoughts about investing in a bachelor’s degree in photography. A degree in photography helps students grow professionally and personally by providing top-notch facilities, resources, and platforms to practice the art of photography. Hence, if you want to transform your hobby into a thriving career, explore good colleges in New York with a photography degree.
Furthermore, according to BLS, photography will grow by 4% in the next eight years. Additionally, there will be approximately 14,000 job opportunities for professional photographers. Therefore, it is the ideal time to pursue a degree in photography.
So, read this blog post to learn more about an undergraduate degree in photography. We will explore information concerning the advantages of a photography degree, course descriptions, high-paying job options, and good colleges in New York with a photography degree. So, let’s begin!
How do good colleges in New York with a photography degree benefit students?
There are innumerable advantages to pursuing good colleges in New York with a photography degree. For instance, undergraduate students become aware of theoretical and practical knowledge concerning photography, like black and white photography, portfolio enhancement, usage of digital cameras, and other technical skills. Additionally, they acquire interpersonal, communication, and advertising skills.
Read the below factors for a detailed version of the perks:
Informative courses
Colleges in New York with a photography degree provide in-depth knowledge about the different types of photography. Some examples include product, fine art, portrait, landscape, editorial, and architectural photography. Additionally, they explore several technical skills and techniques, like studio lighting and black-and-white photography.
Moreover, professors impart knowledge about advertising photographs for a successful career, especially freelance photography. As per research, freelance photographers earn more than $100,000 yearly.
Professional feedback
Photography professionals in New York colleges possess years of experience. Hence, photography majors receive candid feedback, regarding ways to improve their photography skills. Thus, learning photography online, such as on YouTube, is not an ideal option because there is no professional feedback.
Furthermore, professors, in good colleges in New York with a photography degree, discuss the pros and cons of a photography career. That helps students grow and prepare for their professional lives.
Top-notch facilities and resources
Colleges in New York City offering photography degrees possess exceptional facilities and resources for students. Most colleges have contemporary equipment, software, and studio labs, such as iMac Pros, the latest versions of Adobe Photoshop, Epson printers, and other technologies. Hence, students are provided with ideal platforms to enhance their photography skills.
Which courses are offered in good colleges in New York with a photography degree?
Course descriptions provide students with an idea about the content discussed in classes. Students can check college websites, for photography course catalogs, to learn about the required courses and free electives. That helps prospective students with the shortlisting and selection process.
Below are some generic courses offered in good colleges in New York with a photography degree:
Introduction to photography
This course investigates the domain of photography by creating appealing photographs and learning to utilize software, like Adobe Photoshop. Additionally, professors discuss the relevance of studio labs, and darkrooms, and develop skills, like aesthetics, creativity, and communication.
The introduction to photography course usually, requires an image-making device, such as a digital camera, mobile phone, or DSLR.
History of photography
Photography majors become aware of the theoretical notions of photography in the history of photography. Professors embed knowledge, concerning the cultural background of photography and its connection with media, art, fashion, social sciences, and travel, within students. The topics are relevant to technical and aesthetic photography concepts, through modern and historical lenses.
Examples of topics include photography and modernity, looking at and understanding photographs, a new aesthetic – 19th-century photography, and lens culture and mass media.
Photographer’s portfolio
Portfolios play a crucial role in determining a photographer’s career. Good colleges in New York with a photography degree help students create and enhance portfolios. Experienced professors discuss the modern technological aspects, problems with the old techniques, and critical analysis of images.
By the end of this course, students will have a portfolio book/website and print portfolio portraying their vision, craft, and interests. Most colleges provide resources and equipment like lighting systems and cameras for effective results.
What are high-paying job opportunities in New York after getting a photography degree?
Pursuing good colleges in New York with a photography degree provides photography majors with lucrative job opportunities, like portrait photographers and graphic designers. Additionally, freelance and commercial photographers earn approximately $100,000 yearly.
The table below highlights profitable career opportunities for photography graduates:
| Professions | Average yearly salaries |
| Stylist | $20,000-$30,000 |
| Commercial photography | $100,000 |
| Fashion photography | $45,000-$70,000 |
| Photo Editor | $46,000 |
| Wedding photography | $50,000 |
| Photojournalist | $42,000 |
| Photographer’s assistant | 42,000 |
| Portrait photography | $50,000-$82,000 |
| Freelance photographer | $56,000 |
| Photography instructor | $40,000-$60,000 |
| Food photographer | $40,270-$92,000 |
| Landscape & nature photography | $40,000 |
| Medical photography | $41000-$59000 |
| Film set photographer | $50,000 |
| Model | $52,000 |
| Sports photography | $70,000 |
| Real estate photography | $44,000-$66,000 |
What are the good colleges in New York offering a photography degree?
Colleges in New York for photography assist students with technical and interpersonal skills. The universities provide students with exceptional facilities and resources like darkrooms, the latest software, studio labs, iMac Pros, and Epson printers.
Check the details below of seven good colleges in New York with a photography degree:
New York University – Bachelors in photography and imaging
Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in photography and imaging from NYU benefits students in several ways. They learn critical analysis of images through different perspectives. Additionally, students become aware of 3D simulation technologies, digital photo-based image-making, and multimedia info.
Through informative courses, students can explore careers in fashion, journalism, filmmaking, design, and cinematography. Furthermore, New York University offers federal/state aid, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and loans based on merit and need. They encourage inclusion and diversity by imposing relevant policies and spreading awareness among staff, faculty members, and students.
Furthermore, students require a 3.8 GPA, 35 ACT, or a 1560 SAT score for admission. The acceptance rate is 12.5%.
State University of New York at New Paltz – Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography
The SUNY at New Paltz assists students with historical and modern photography practices, photography’s relation to culture, aesthetics, and history, and self-expression through images. Additionally, the renowned professors discuss global and local art through courses, like History of Decorative Arts, Ceramic Design & Product Laboratory, and Art of the Western World.
Moreover, photography majors at SUNY, learn about black-and-white darkroom processes, digital printing and imaging, studio lighting, and large-format view camera photography. The college possesses an athletic center, museum, health center, and several student organizations. To get admission, students require an SAT score of 1160-1340; the acceptance rate is 58.3%.
Syracuse University – Bachelor in art photography
The bachelor’s in art photography, at Syracuse University, develops students’ technical and critical skills for self-expression through photographs. They become acquainted with modern photography techniques, regarding documentary, ecology, fashion, and cinema. Additionally, students learn to create high-quality images by utilizing top-notch black and white, color, and digital facilities.
Furthermore, some prominent photography courses include Lighting for Photography, Conversations in Film and Media Arts, and Film and Media Arts Advanced Studio. Such courses enlighten students about lighting techniques, animation, and photography’s connection with cinema and fashion. To join Syracuse University, students need a GPA of 3.75 and a mixture of A’s and B’s. The acceptance rate is 51.8%.
CUNY Queens College – Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography and imaging
CUNY Queens College’s photography and imaging program delves into digital imaging, applied, and fine art photography. Students have access to modern 3D and 2D technologies for good-quality photographs. Additionally, the reputable professors impart knowledge about printing, scanning, and theoretical info concerning photography.
Students must take courses like Darkroom Photography, History of Western Art, Software for Photography and Imaging, and History of Photography. These courses help students find careers in architecture, photojournalism, and other types of photography. For admission, high school students require a GPA of 3.5; the acceptance rate is 69.5%.
Rochester Institute of Technology – Bachelor of Fine Arts in photographic arts and sciences
Earning a bachelor’s degree in photographic arts and sciences assists students with knowledge about visual media, advertising photography, photojournalism, and fine art photography. The college provides students with 150 course options, such as Photographic Technology, Elements of Advertising Photography, and Photographic Arts.
Furthermore, the renowned faculty members enlighten photography students with concepts like lighting, photographic vision, color theory, digital tone reproduction, and exposure metering. To enroll in Rochester Institute of Technology, high school students need a GPA of 3.7 and above average grades. The acceptance rate is 67.2%.
Pratt Institute – Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography
Photography majors at the Pratt Institute learn critical thinking, writing, creative, and technical skills through their curriculum. They acquire sufficient information to express themselves through photographs effectively. Some photography courses include Digital Photography and Black and White Photography.
The main aims of this program are to embed knowledge concerning the aesthetic, cultural, and contemporary ideologies of photography. Additionally, professors indulge in engaging class discussions, field trips, assignments, and readings to spread knowledge about camera operation, color techniques, and image processing. For admission, students need a GPA of 3.78 and mostly A’s and B’s; the acceptance rate is 50.4%.
St. John’s University – Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography
The photography faculty members of St. John’s University instill aesthetic, technical, historical, and philosophical foundations within students. Additionally, the college is associated with the International Center of Photography in New York, helping students with internship opportunities and certifications. Furthermore, the college has around 180 student organizations, like sports, theatre, and music.
Moreover, the professors encourage photography majors to think outside the box and solve complicated issues through courses like, The Photograph as Document, Advanced Digital Photography & Imaging, and History of Photography. To join this college, students need a GPA of 3.5 and average high school grades. The acceptance rate is 84.7%.
Which US colleges offer an online photography degree?
Students with busy schedules can explore online US colleges. Some options for colleges with an online photography degree include:
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Academy of Art University
- Lindenwood University
- Savannah College of Art and Design
- Full Sail University
- Rhode Island School of Design
- Liberty University
- Maryville University
- Susquehanna University
- Santa Barbara City College
Tuition fees for colleges in New York with a photography degree
High school students must research data and trends, like expenses, before selecting a college for photography. For instance, they must surf the internet for accommodation, conveyance, food, and miscellaneous expenses for undergraduate college planning.
The following table mentions the average tuition fees, before and after aid, of good colleges in New York with a photography degree:
| Colleges | Average cost before aid | Average cost after aid |
| New York University | $82,095 | $15,298 |
| State University of New York at New Paltz | $27,788 | $18,358 |
| Syracuse University | $80,947 | $18,312 |
| CUNY Queens College | $30,352 | $4,921 |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | $72,296 | $26,896 |
| Pratt Institute | $77,607 | $33,984 |
| St. John’s University | $70,178 | $20,408 |
Explore good colleges in New York with a photography degree for a prosperous career!
To conclude, good colleges in New York with a photography degree provide students with top-notch resources and facilities, like iMac pros, digital cameras, studio labs, Epson printers, and more. The experienced photography professors hold discussions about lighting, color theory, printing, 2D and 3D technologies, and other technical skills.
Moreover, students can explore lucrative job opportunities post-graduation, like commercial photography, graphic designing, and photojournalism. Students, who cannot attend on-campus classes, can explore online US colleges for photography, like Maryville University. For more information, check the following: