Key takeaways
- There are several photography schools in San Francisco offering excellent photography programs.
- Besides cultural diversity, the presence of several job opportunities and a growing photography industry make San Francisco an excellent study destination.
- You can pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography at California College of the Arts and the Academy of Art University.
- If you are looking for an affordable photography degree, consider the City College of Francisco, where you can also explore photography workshops and classes.
- University of San Francisco also boasts a great photography school equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment for an excellent learning experience.
- With a degree in photography, you can either explore photography jobs, pursue a career as a freelance photographer, or even start your own photography business.
San Francisco is a photographer’s wonderland. The city provides the ideal blend of artistic avenues, industry access, and various learning opportunities. Whether you are looking for a photography workshop, a beginner’s course, or a degree in photography, several colleges and universities in the city offer courses and degrees in the field for aspiring photographers. In fact, there are way too many for an individual to browse through.
Here, we provide a list of some of the best photography schools in San Francisco so you can cut your research time short and jump directly to selection and enrollment.
4 of the best photography colleges in San Francisco
Before we dive into what makes San Francisco an excellent study destination for aspiring photographers, let’s first explore photography schools in San Francisco. Here are just a few photography schools in San Francisco where you can pursue a bachelor’s degree in photography. These are some of the best institutes in the city.
Academy of Art University
If you want to build a professional portfolio, this is the program for you. At the Academy of Art University, you will develop comprehensive knowledge of the tools and techniques needed for professional photography. Moreover, you get the option to specialize in a concentration track of your choice. You can choose from the following specialization tracks:
- Commercial Photography
- Editorial Photography
- Fine Art Photography
- Documentary Photography
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography program is a 4-year program featuring a heavy focus on learning through practice. You will undertake a variety of solo and group projects. Through the program, you will first learn the basics of photography and then get the opportunity to develop skills and expertise in the field of your choice.
| Location | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| San Francisco, California | 100% | 7% | $28,024 |
California College of the Arts
The California College of the Arts also offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography. It is a four-year program where you get to explore the field of photography in-depth. It is truly one of the best programs in the state, as here you learn from industry experts. The program is taught by working professionals, printmakers, and students get a chance to collaborate with designers, producers, and other media professionals.
Here, you get a chance to work in nearly every niche in the photography industry. Through industry collaborations, you get a deeper look into what professional life in each photography niche is like. You also learn photography tips and tricks. But most importantly, you learn client handling by experiencing professional life first-hand.
Moreover, the California College of Arts boasts state-of-the-art photography facilities, which make learning all the more fun. Here, you get a chance to build industry connections, and in the dynamic world of photography, connections are everything! So, here you get a chance to learn from the best, using top-tier technologies and at a world-class facility. What could be better?
| Location | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| San Francisco, California | 76%% | 64% | $57,946 |
The City College of San Francisco
The City College of San Francisco is one of the best photography schools in San Francisco. The college offers a wide range of photography programs, courses, and workshops. Additionally, it offers an Associate’s degree in photography, which is a two-year program. If you are unsure whether you want to pursue photography as a profession or are hoping to learn a new skill, this is the college for you.
What makes the City College of San Francisco an even more attractive option is the fact that it is incredibly affordable. It is one of the few colleges in the United States of America which have committed to ensuring the provision of affordable education for everyone. Moreover, you can start with a photography course and move on to a degree if you find photography is the choice to pursue professionally.
The affordability and reduced tuition, especially for San Francisco residents, make it ideal for aspiring photographers looking for an affordable program.
| Location | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| San Francisco, California | 100% | 19.8% | $1,696 in-state
$8,704 out-of-state |
University of San Francisco
Last on our list of the best photography schools in San Francisco is the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of San Francisco. The college offers a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art with a photography concentration. Whether you are a hobbyist aspiring to pursue photography as a profession or someone completely new to the field, this program is a great starting point.
Here, you will first cover foundational topics in photography, building an understanding of the field through art history and theoretical courses in the field. Additionally, you will undertake a variety of studio courses, which will enable you to implement the concepts and techniques learned in the classroom.
The faculty at the University of San Francisco consists of industry experts and renowned professionals. They help students explore the field and develop a creative instinct through experimentation and practical work. Moreover, they encourage students to develop their own unique style, which can help them establish their unique presence in the professional market.
| Location | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| San Francisco, California | 71.2% | 74.4% | $58,222 |
What can you do with a photography degree?
A career in digital photography is an interesting choice. When we say interesting, we do not by any means undermine its credibility or the potential the field holds. In fact, it is one of the most rewarding and free career paths you can pursue.
With a degree in digital photography, you can not only obtain corporate jobs in areas such as advertising, commercial photography, digital journalism, and so on, but you can also start your own photography business. Both options lead to financially rewarding careers. The latter may require more legwork and elbow grease than the former, but it also holds higher earning potential, provided you crack the code.
Become a freelance photographer.
If you don’t want to be tied down to one job, you can explore freelance photography opportunities. Even though the field comes with uncertainties and an initial struggle period, once you become an established name in the industry, you can reap the benefits of being a successful freelance photographer.
However, succeeding in the field is not always easy. You will need to establish your online presence, build a portfolio, use whatever connections you have to get gigs, and maybe even take up unpaid and volunteer work just to be seen. But if you do it just right, you can become a sought-after name in whatever photography niche you pursue professionally.
Related: 6 tips to succeed as a freelance photographer
Start your photography business
If you have entrepreneurial acumen and you’d rather lead a team of experts instead of being the lone wolf, ditch freelance photography and consider starting your own photography business. A photography business can be of many types, and there are many business opportunities in the photography field. Moreover, it is a growing and ever-evolving field thanks to the rise in digital technologies and the growing use of online media.
In fact, if you do not want to be tied down to one genre, you can start a business with other professionals and offer multiple services under one name. If entrepreneurship appears to be your calling, here are some photography business ideas you can explore. Mind you, starting a business, any business, requires substantial investment.
Explore photography job opportunities.
Becoming an entrepreneur or even pursuing freelance work opportunities requires long working hours and comes with financial uncertainty. Professionals need to plan ahead significantly and carefully plan their finances as per forecasted income and expenses. If that sounds like tedious and tiresome work, this may not be the career path for you.
If you need a stable monthly income, photography jobs are the ideal option for you. The good news is, while your income will be limited, it will be stable. Moreover, you can avoid the stress that comes with leading any type of entrepreneurial venture.
Additionally, you can explore contract photography jobs, which offer the best of both worlds. They are short-term employment contracts, offering stable pay and flexibility. After the contract ends, you can take some time off, relax, and rejuvenate before taking up another contract.
Start your photography career in San Francisco!
Even though San Francisco is known to have a high cost of living, which can be off-putting to many potential students, it is a haven for international students. Not only does the city have some affordable colleges, but it also boasts a vibrant, multi-cultural community. A blend of cultures means more exposure, which not only broadens your horizons but can also be more inspiring.
Moreover, aspiring professionals can benefit from the many excellent photography schools in San Francisco. Not only do you get a chance to gain the best education, but you also build industry connections as the city is ripe with employment opportunities for photographers. We wish you the best of luck in your career!
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