by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Photojournalism covers Photojournalism. A Program That Focuses On The Use Of Still And Motion Photography In Journalism And Prepares Individuals To Function As News Photographers And Photographic Editors. Includes Instruction In Photography, Journalism, Studio Procedures And Techniques, Camera And Equipment Operation And Technique, News Editing, Print And Film Editing, News Scene Composition, Subject Surveillance, Media Law And Policy, News Team Field Operations, And Professional Standards And Ethics. Read on to learn the important information every photojournalism student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering photojournalism programs.
Nationwide, photojournalism is a popular field of study, with 91 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Photojournalism Schools ranking analyzes these 11 schools to determine the best overall colleges for photojournalism students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of photojournalism programs later in this article.
Studies in Photojournalism develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations photojournalism graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a photojournalism program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a photojournalism major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several photojournalism degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 64 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 25 |
People currently working in careers related to photojournalism tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 54.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 16.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 16.2% |
| Some college courses | 6.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.9% |
| Master’s degree | 0.5% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in photojournalism careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in photojournalism opens doors to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to photojournalism.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to photojournalism.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Film and Video Editors | 354,104 | 10.0% |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | 92,155 | -0.2% |
| Photographers | 81,551 | -3.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of photojournalism graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $36,675 |
| 4 years | $49,199 |
| 5 years | $57,526 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for photojournalism graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers photojournalism grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Film and Video Editors | $89,576 |
| Photographers | $75,743 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $74,101 |
With 11 different photojournalism programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased photojournalism school rankings to help you.
Students interested in photojournalism, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Journalism | 9,378 |
| Journalism, Other | 1,098 |
| Broadcast Journalism | 757 |
| Science/Health/Environmental Journalism | 10 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
