Top Photography Schools in the USA to Learn Photography
Photographers looking to improve their skills are now faced with a giant range of choices, many of them from courses that let you study online. But there are things best learned in person, with a teacher prepared to answer your questions — and even award professional certification at the end of it. Here’s our list of places to study photography. If you know of more, toss them into the comments.
California
Academy of Art University – San Francisco
Private, big and accredited. Graduates include Pulitzer Prize-winning photographers Deanne Fitzmaurice.
www.academyart.edu
Brooks Institute of Photography – Santa Barbara
A for-profit corporation, offers four programs, including Professional Photography, Visual Journalism and Visual Communication.
www.brooks.edu
Colorado
The Art Institute of Colorado – Denver
Established as a private arts and crafts college in 1952. Offers Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees in photography.
www.artinstitutes.edu/denver/
District of Columbia
The Center for Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University – Washington
Offers a Professional Photography Certificate that teaches basic camera techniques, workflow and lighting among other skills.
www.cdiabu.com/
Florida
The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale – Fort Lauderdale
A private, accredited college that boasts an employment rate in an related field of over 90 percent within six months of graduation.
www.artinstitutes.edu/fortlauderdale/
International Academy of Design & Technology – Tampa
A nationwide, accredited arts school. The Tampa campus offers an Associate’s degree in Digital Photography.
www.academy.edu/degree-programs/associate-degree-digital-photography/
Miami International University of Art & Design – Miami
Part of The Art Institutes network and offering a BFA in Photography.
www.artinstitutes.edu/miami/
Georgia
The Art Institute of Atlanta – Atlanta
Atlanta’s branch of The Art Institute network.
www.artinstitutes.edu/atlanta/index.asp
Illinois
Harrington College of Design – Chicago
Located in the Loop and focused on interior design, Harrington College also offers a Digital Photography program.
www.interiordesign.edu/
The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago, The Illinois Institute of Art – Schaumburg
Illinois hosts two branches of The Institute of Art: one in Chicago and the other in Schaumberg.
www.artinstitutes.edu/chicago/
www.artinstitutes.edu/schaumberg
Maine
Maine Media Workshops
Maine Workshop offers workshops that range from classes on creating your photo book to shooting Rajasthan. Classes can be expensive but the variety is huge… and so is the fun.
www.theworkshops.com/
Minnesota
Brown College – Mendota Heights
Brown College offers a Bachelor’s degree in Digital Photography with specializations that include fashion, fine arts and freelance among others.
www.browncollege.edu/programs/digital.asp
Missouri
Missouri Photo Workshops
Sponsored by Nikon, the Missouri Photo Workshops takes place over six days and aims to teach photojournalism and story-telling.
www.mophotoworkshop.org
New Hampshire
McIntosh College – Dover
McIntosh College teaches professional photography and even offers dorm rooms in a converted hotel. But room service isn’t included.
www.mcintoshcollege.edu/
New Mexico
Santa Fe Workshops – Santa Fe
Creative workshops that range in time and location, and include courses for both hobbyists and professionals.
www.santafeworkshops.com
New York
Briarcliffe College – Bethpage
Briarcliffe is a small, private college offering an Associate’s degree in Digital Photography.
www.bcl.edu/
School of Visual Arts – New York City
One of the country’s finest art schools with both graduate and undergraduate degrees in photography.
www.schoolofvisualarts.edu/
International Center of Photography – New York City
A photography museum offering full-time and continuing education classes in subjects ranging from lighting to photojournalism.
www.icp.org/
Ohio
Antonelli College – Cincinnati
Antonelli College offers an Associate of Applied Business Degree in Photography but only at its Cincinnati campus.
www.antonellicollege.com/photography.html
Ohio Institute of Photography and Technology – Dayton
The Ohio Institute of Photography and Technology focuses on photography and provides professional skills. It also offers both day and night classes.
www.oipt.com/OIPTPortal/oiptCampuses/Ohio/Dayton/
Oregon
Marylhurst University – Marylhurst
A private, Catholic university with a long history and a BFA that includes a photography concentration. Students can be full-time or working professionals.
www.marylhurst.edu/art/bfa-art.php
Pennsylvania
The Art Institute of Philadelphia – Philadelphia, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania has two branches of The Art Institute: in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
www.artinstitutes.edu/philadelhia/
www.artinstitutes.edu/pittsburgh/
Tennessee
Nossi College of Art – Goodlettsville
Nossi focuses on the business side of photography, offering a degree in Commercial Digital Photography. The curriculum includes camera techniques, lighting and basic and advanced Photoshop with the aim of guiding students to entry-level industry positions or the knowledge to freelance.
www.nossi.com
Rhode Island
Rhode Island School Of Design – Rhode Island
One of the most respected arts schools in the country, RISD boasts a who’s who of alumni and faculty, and offers both degree programs and business-oriented continuing education classes.
www.risd.edu
October 18th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
New York
Rochester Institute of Technology
Missouri
University of Missouri at Columbia
Kentucky
Western Kentucky University
Ohio
Ohio State University
Ohio University
December 29th, 2007 at 9:58 am
Hello,
This list is exactly what I have been looking for! Harder to find then one might think! I am wondering what you think about The Hallmark school in Massachusetts? I also heard there was one in Oklahoma, do you know anything about that?
Thanks,
Diane
April 25th, 2008 at 9:09 am
What about the california college of arts? http://www.cca.edu
Is that any good?
Thanks
May 8th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Colorado Mountain College, I am currently attending and the photo program is up-to-date and STRONG! coloradomtn.edu
May 19th, 2008 at 12:39 am
Don't forget
New England School of Photography
or NESOP
in boston!!!!
June 5th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Also check out Art Center College of Design in Pasadena
http://www.artcenter.edu/
June 24th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Missoula Montana.
June 26th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Portfolio Center
Creative Circus
both located in Atlanta GA.
These are two of the best advertising schools in the country...
June 27th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
school of the museum of fine arts, boston
http://www.smfa.edu
July 9th, 2008 at 2:53 am
Both my son and my nephew attended the Hallmark Institute of Photography in Massachusetts within the last 3 years and loved it. They've both landed excellent jobs in commercial photography and their employers commented that they'd never seen recent grads with such high-quality portofolios (which were created while at Hallmark). It's an intense 10 months of coursework covering both the artistic and the business side of photography and students learn using the latest in digital equipment. From a parent's perspective, it was money very well spent!
http://hallmark.edu/
July 16th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Don't forget about CCCS - College of Creative Studies in Michigan...heard it's awesome.
July 27th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
What about Savannah College of Art and Design? What do you all think about that school?
October 21st, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Its Schaumburg not Schaumberg - reason why link doesnt work either
November 18th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I go to SCAD, and I would say that the program is pretty decent. The location and administration can be overly frustrating. Of course, it mostly depends on your choice of teachers and your budget.
December 10th, 2008 at 12:44 am
Santa Fe NM has the Santa Fe Community College with excellent staff and facilities, great for the Associates in FA, AA or AAA. Also College of Santa Fe runs a great Documentary Program!
January 13th, 2009 at 9:26 am
SCAD - Savannah College of Art & Design is a great photo school for Commercial and Fine Art, graduate programs too. Atlanta, Savannah and LaCoste/France.
January 15th, 2009 at 10:30 am
I studied at School of Visual Arts and Parsons School of Art and Design in New York City. Both schools emphasize Art and Commerce and they are both amazing because the faculties tend to be working professionals in NYC. Also students can often 'fall' into jobs part time because you are right in the thick of the action. I recommend both schools.
January 25th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Do you know of any schools in Arizona, Scottsdale area?
January 29th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
I'm looking for a larger college but one with more medium-small classes if possible. I don't like extreme colds and long winters, I live in Iowa and would really like to get away from below zero winters for a while. I'm looking into more freelance photography and hopefully involving travel, I love going anywhere new in the world and travel a lot already. I average a 3.5 gpa and have plenty of references and experience. Any ideas?
February 6th, 2009 at 2:25 am
After 14 years of working as strategic sourcing as my professional, I would like to pursue my hobby, "photography" into my profession.
I live in India and will apprecaite if anyone guide me with some of the best colleges for photography mainly fashion or travel related.
February 12th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Hello. I'm really interested in the Hallmark Institute of Photography up in MA, or even NESOP in Boston. I was wondering if any of you knew any good Photography schools/Art institutes in New Hampshire aside from the McIntosh College?
Also in Springfield, Illinois?
and Austin, Texas?
I'm trying to keep my options open. I would really appreciate the help. Thank you.
February 20th, 2009 at 8:45 am
Hi, i'm french and i don't really know wish photography school would be the best for me.
I've been doing some research for a week or two on the internet but i ralized that this hard to know what are the most renowed schools for photography in the USA.
If someone is able to help me that would so nice, because right now i feel kind of lost in my research!!! thanks =)
February 27th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
There is also The Art Institute of Indianapolis in Indiana. They have degrees in Digital Photo.
March 4th, 2009 at 2:21 am
The Savannah College of Art and Design has an amazing faculty and offers BFAs and MFAs in Photography. They also have campuses in Atlanta and in France and have just announced that they are establishing one in Hong Kong.
March 9th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Thanks a lot I checked " the Savannah College" it seems great!!
What about Brooks insitut I saw there website it seems great too, do you know anything about that school? It looks like it is really expansive?!!
March 10th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
I have to say, Brooks in California really impressed me with their courses different specialties they offer in photography. Is is expensive though, but aren't most art school schools!
March 18th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Nobody has mentioned the Rochester Institute of Technology. I went there and believe it is one of the best. I'm finishing my Masters at the Savannah College of Art & Design.
March 23rd, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I would add Dakota County Tech in Mn. I took some photo classes there, and have done websites for many photographers out of the program and they are great. They have some great instructors and they are much more affordable than Brown, allowing students to spend some of that hard earned money on some nice equipment versus higher tuition.
Nate
April 9th, 2009 at 3:58 am
Hey, I am an Indian currently working as a Software Engineer in Singaore. WIth my evergrowing interest in photography and travel i couldnt resist changing my profession. Most of the schoold in US are offering courses in Digital Photography. Which one to follow is big question considering money matters and job opportunities. I fell in love with Brooks Insitute but they are asking for Hefty amount.Any one out there to help me out???
April 18th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
You forgot Randolph Community College of North Carolina. Their photo department is top notch with excellent facilities and highly eperienced and passionate instructors.
June 4th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Hi i am from mumbai, India.. I am an undergraduate student and i am more interested in pro photography provided a degree course wit not a fat amt of fees.. How about NYIP? Can someone Plz help me out and suggest me a good institute to learn photography from? Thank u..
June 16th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Hard to believe you left out RIT in Rochester NY
The University of the Arts, Drexel and Tyler, all in Philadelphia, have far superior photography programs than the Art Institute.
July 12th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Checkout the Art Academy of Cincinnati for the Communication Arts & Photography curriculum.
No Problem!!
July 15th, 2009 at 7:21 am
I leave in Syria how can you help me to learn photography online or in any different way
July 21st, 2009 at 8:57 am
The Miami Ad School (easily the best ad school in the country) has an excellent digital photography program.
http://www.miamiadschool.com
School locations in Miami, San Francisco and Minneapolis.
(also in Spain, Germany, Brazil, etc for Quarter Away)
July 28th, 2009 at 6:21 am
Photography is my passion. i was looking for top schools to improve my skills in photography. this list seem to be helpful! thanks for this great list! ill soon get into one of these photography schools.
July 29th, 2009 at 12:13 am
Does ASU (Arizona State) have a good photography or graphic desing school?
August 8th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Does anyone know what is the better school for photography Antonelli in Cincinnati or Ohio Institute of Photography Technology in Dayton?
August 24th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
I'm surprised nobody mentioned Daytona State College (formerly DBCC), which has had an outstanding photography school in Daytona, FL for decades.
August 24th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
I, too, am surprised not to see DBCC's SouthEast Center for Photo/Graphic Studies on the list.
August 24th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I graduated from Columbia College in Chicago with a Bachelor of Art in Photography. The professors are fantastic and are incredibly knowledgeable in their fields, most of them only being adjunct faculty members and working as photographers full time. The labs and resources are great - They still teach conventional photography (which I personally feel is a must) but also have an excellent digital lab.
http://www.colum.edu
August 27th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Daytona State College is a great place to study photography and it should be on that list, the teachers are great and they teach you everything you need to know.
August 27th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
is there any schools in virginia or around?
August 30th, 2009 at 4:18 am
Come to the UK and study at Coventry's new undergraduate program ! I just co-wrote the course and it's right up to date. Twitter CU_Photography or jDubbyah
September 1st, 2009 at 1:35 pm
I recently flew to Savannah and looked at SCAD. It's where i've been planning on attending for over a year now. but when we went and looked at the location for the first time it sort of changed my mind a bit. It's still definitely one of my top options but what i found out was, there is no campus, so if you're looking for that legit college feel it may be a little hard to get. The college basically takes over the whole downtown, which is sort of neat. You can only take a maximum of three classes for the first two or three quarters. When we took a taxi to the hotel he was telling us to stay out of this area and that area, and the admissions department told me that i could never walk around alone at night. so that was a bit sketchy. especially because i am independent and if i wanted to go for a late night coffee run and my roommate was asleep i basically couldn't. aaand the over all cost of tuition and room was pretttty dang high once they finally added it all up. there aren't many locals really either, which my parents thought was a little weird. the town is consisted of tourist and college kids. but why not locals? i wanted that "aww this is where i'm suppose to be feeling" when we landed, but i didn't get it. so i have to start my college search all over again and widen my options before i make a decision.
oh and i live an hour away from Brooks. what i've heard is it also is located all over downtown. its fairly expensive indeed, and you can't get your G.E. there. it's a trade school. but it is a very good photography indeed and highly recommended.
September 2nd, 2009 at 4:31 am
Great listing, but can anyone recommend strong online programs / courses in professional digital photography?
September 21st, 2009 at 2:11 pm
The Art Insitute of Colorado has an AMAZING photography program! The facitilies are expansive and the students have access to over $1million in equipment, almost like a hardlines library! Plus they are an accredited school... This is definitly where I am going...
October 6th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
check out Boston University's College of Communication. Their photojournalism program is outstanding. Sean Elliot, VP of the NPPA graduated from BU, as did Tyler Hicks-award winning photographer for the New York Times.
http://www.bu.edu/com/
October 14th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Missouri
Webster University
BFA and BA Photo programs.
October 26th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
New York Institute of Photography has been sending me a lot of e-mail traffic about their on-line course. Anybody know anything good or bad about this "school"?
November 6th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
So...nothing in Washington State?
November 14th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Randolph Community College In
Asheboro North Carolina
Has A Two Year Assoc.Degree In
Many Photography Areas, Commercial, Wedding,
News,More... Lots Of Cameras, Film,Digital.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:03 am
I have to say as an A.S.Graduate in Photography you left out Daytona State College. The professors are awesome...the facility is new and very complete and they also have the Southeast Museum of Photography which has great artist that come and give lectures just check out the site...http://www.smponline.org/ this school really is a great one for the cost and the 2 year you can convert into the 4 year degree to University of Central Florida.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:10 am
As far as the NYIP before Daytona State College formerly Daytona Beach Community College I did pay for the course with NYIP and loved the course work books you got but for me the hands on approach and attention you get at Daytona State College was 100 times better.
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:00 pm
are there any more schools in california??
December 26th, 2009 at 3:02 am
There are many art schools in CA. From the north to the south. Just look online. I went to the Academy of Art of San Francisco great for photography, but they will push you in a good why and plan on spending a lot of money on supplies. I will say that each of the art schools are stronger in different areas of photography then others. I would try to stick with schools that have working professionals and make sure you look over the work of the teachers to see if you like it as well.
January 2nd, 2010 at 10:48 pm
looking for schools in maryland/dc area. any suggestions? too many schools listed online with reviews only from themselves! yikes!
January 3rd, 2010 at 4:35 am
I am taking the nyip course. I really like it. Very useful info. It will teach you what you need to know but you may also want to consider some non credit courses through your local college in the beginig to get you started. That will help you understand aperture and shutter speed basic stuff and the nyip will take you further.
January 11th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
I really love taking photos. Just cetching a moment in time is amazing to look back on latter in life and with every pictcher not only has a thosand words but it holds a memory.
January 13th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
I think you should add Savannah College of Art and Design to the list. "SCAD":http://www.scad.edu/ to the list it has a really comprehensive art and photography program offering, including film, fashion, web photography besides offering traditional art design courses.
January 13th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
I am really trying to find an online photography/photojournalism degree. I am a little worried about the online schools, but am limited to them. Any recommendations?
January 14th, 2010 at 10:13 pm
I am interested in CDIA, has anybody hear anything about it or been there? I would like to hear from some students if your out there! Thanks!
January 29th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
I dont believe that texas were not on lists.. how sad.. but here is lists,,,,,
Texas Tech University, University of texas, University of houston, University of North texas, Sam Houston state university, Texas A&M at commerce, Stephen F.Austin university, University of Tecas at San antonio, and University of Texas at Dallas.
February 1st, 2010 at 10:28 pm
My daughter plans to major in photography. She has been accepted in the School of Arts at Virginia Commonwealth U and at the University of the Arts in Phila.
I prefer VCU but she want to go to Phila. Any ideas on which is better? I would like her to have a strong minor to fall back on.
February 2nd, 2010 at 4:13 am
Drexel University in Phillidelphia Pennsylvania
February 8th, 2010 at 3:07 am
Thanks for the list of photography schools.
Please correct the link of Brooks Institute of Photography – Santa Barbara to hhttp://www.brooks.edu
Thanks
February 12th, 2010 at 12:58 am
Just found this link - I agree with Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Missoula, Montana, it was a wonderful experience.
February 16th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Hello, my name is Ray and I would like to know which photography school would be the best to go to please email me back @ iaminbed@yahoo.com, Thank You.
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Hello, Im form Argentina and I would like to take a short photography course in Boston or New York. Please reccommend me anywhere to go and study. Specially for students from abroad.
Thanks!
March 6th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
TEXAS!!!!!
Austin Community College (www.Austincc.edu/photo) in Austin Texas is amazing, and because it is a community college, it is cheap tuition! It is also completely digital.
I am currently a student here and will graduate in August 2010. They offer 2 associate degrees, one in People/Portrait and one in Advertising/Fashion as well as 2 certificate programs (Digital Assistant and Photographic Artist). When I graduate I will have both the associates degrees. I've taken classes in Photoshop, Lightroom, restoration, digital compositing, Corel Painter, Macro/Close Up, Wedding, Landscape, Architecture, In studio and outdoor location Portraits, Commercial/Advertising in studio, Fashion, Portfolio Developement, Studio Management (everything you need to know to build a successful photography business), Marketing: Principles of Selling, and Accounting Basics.
As you can see I am well educated and will have all the knowledge I will need to begin my business when I graduate. It is a wonderful program and I very highly recommend it!
http://www.Austincc.edu/photo If you would like to see my website to see what I have learned... http://www.UniquelyKimberly.com
Good Luck!
March 8th, 2010 at 12:04 am
Does anyone know anything about the photography program at Virginia Intermont College?