by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Commercial Photography involves the study of Commercial Photography. A Program In The Applied Visual Arts That Prepares Individuals To Use Artistic Techniques To Effectively Communicate Ideas And Information To Business And Consumer Audiences, And Recording Events And People, Via Digital, Film, Still And Video Photography. Includes Instruction In Specialized Camera And Equipment Operation And Maintenance, Applications To Commercial And Industrial Needs, And Photography Business Operations. Read on to learn the key facts every commercial photography student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering commercial photography programs.
Across the country, commercial photography draws strong interest, with 899 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Commercial Photography Schools ranking analyzes these 63 schools to determine the best overall colleges for commercial photography students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of commercial photography programs later in this article.
Studies in Commercial Photography develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations commercial photography graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a commercial photography program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a commercial photography major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several commercial photography 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 110 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 336 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 103 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 239 |
People currently working in careers related to commercial photography tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 46.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 29.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.4% |
| Some college courses | 2.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.7% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in commercial photography careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in commercial photography opens doors to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to commercial photography.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to commercial photography.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
| Photographers | 81,551 | -3.6% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of commercial photography graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,054 |
| 4 years | $41,389 |
| 5 years | $46,982 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for commercial photography graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers commercial photography grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Photographers | $75,743 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 63 different commercial photography programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased commercial photography school rankings to help you.
Those considering commercial photography, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Graphic Design | 10,676 |
| Design and Visual Communications, General | 6,186 |
| Interior Design | 5,651 |
| Illustration | 3,192 |
| Fashion/Apparel Design | 3,186 |
| Commercial and Advertising Art | 2,987 |
| Game and Interactive Media Design | 2,986 |
| Design and Applied Arts, Other | 1,640 |
| Industrial and Product Design | 1,395 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
