Commercial Photography is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 84 schools to find the best for commercial photography students.
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Choosing a Great Commercial Photography School
The school you choose for commercial photography can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Commercial Photography rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Commercial Photography Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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ADBLOCK #171
Best Schools for Commercial Photography in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the commercial photography degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Fashion Institute Of Technology, our #1 school for commercial photography. Set in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. About 102 commercial photography degrees were awarded at Fashion Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Commercial Photography graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $20,692 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500.
Read more about the commercial photography program at Fashion Institute Of Technology
A rank of #2 makes Collin County Community College District one of the top schools for commercial photography. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. About 18 commercial photography degrees were awarded at Collin County Community College District in the most recent year. Graduates of the commercial photography program make about $33,456 in their early career. Collin County Community College District graduates carry a median of $6,900 in student loans.
See the full commercial photography program report for Collin County Community College District
Appalachian State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in commercial photography, landing the #3 spot this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 28 commercial photography students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $34,722. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the commercial photography program at Appalachian State University
Students looking for a strong commercial photography program will find one at Madison Area Technical College, which ranked #4. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. There were roughly 12 commercial photography students who graduated with this degree at Madison Area Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $30,710. Typical student debt for the program is $15,750.
See the full commercial photography program report for Madison Area Technical College
Kent State University At Kent came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best commercial photography schools. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 15 commercial photography degrees were awarded at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent year. Graduates of the commercial photography program make about $36,351 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
Get the full commercial photography details for Kent State University At Kent
Austin Community College District ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best commercial photography schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. There were roughly 49 commercial photography students who graduated with this degree at Austin Community College District in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $40,289. Students borrow a median of $19,939 to complete this degree.
See the full commercial photography program report for Austin Community College District
Salt Lake Community College came in at #7 for commercial photography this year. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Salt Lake Community College awarded about 11 commercial photography degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the commercial photography program make about $34,227 in their early career. Salt Lake Community College graduates carry a median of $10,766 in student loans.
See the full commercial photography program report for Salt Lake Community College
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #8 for commercial photography this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. There were roughly 36 commercial photography students who graduated with this degree at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their commercial photography degree from Des Moines Area Community College earn around $25,265 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,625 to complete this degree.
See the full commercial photography program report for Des Moines Area Community College
Metropolitan Community College Area placed #9 among the best commercial photography schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Omaha. About 30 commercial photography degrees were awarded at Metropolitan Community College Area in the most recent year. Graduates of the commercial photography program make about $29,902 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,526.
Get the full commercial photography details for Metropolitan Community College Area
Columbus State Community College came in at #10 for commercial photography this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. Columbus State Community College awarded about 115 commercial photography degrees in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $9,041.
Get the full commercial photography details for Columbus State Community College
Red Rocks Community College came in at #11 for commercial photography this year. Red Rocks Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lakewood. About 21 commercial photography degrees were awarded at Red Rocks Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the commercial photography program make about $76,340 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,471.
Get the full commercial photography details for Red Rocks Community College
Mchenry County College came in at #12 for commercial photography this year. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. Mchenry County College awarded about 10 commercial photography degrees in the most recent data year. Commercial Photography graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. Mchenry County College graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans.
See the full commercial photography program report for Mchenry County College
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #13 for commercial photography this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. About 20 commercial photography degrees were awarded at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their commercial photography degree from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn around $42,016 in the first couple years of their career. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College graduates carry a median of $14,997 in student loans.
More information about a degree in commercial photography from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Tyler Junior College came in at #14 for commercial photography this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Tyler Junior College awarded about 24 commercial photography degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete this degree.
See the full commercial photography program report for Tyler Junior College
Iowa Central Community College placed #15 among the best commercial photography schools. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 10 commercial photography students who graduated with this degree at Iowa Central Community College in the most recent data year. Commercial Photography graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete this degree.
Read more about the commercial photography program at Iowa Central Community College
College Of Southern Nevada ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best commercial photography schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. There were roughly 26 commercial photography students who graduated with this degree at College Of Southern Nevada in the most recent data year. Graduates of the commercial photography program make about $35,850 in their early career. College Of Southern Nevada graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans.
See the full commercial photography program report for College Of Southern Nevada
Northwest College earned the #17 position for commercial photography this year. Set in the town of Powell, Northwest College is a small public institution. Northwest College awarded about 10 commercial photography degrees in the most recent data year. Commercial Photography graduates of Northwest College earn a median of $40,014 early in their careers. Northwest College graduates carry a median of $12,996 in student loans.
See the full commercial photography program report for Northwest College
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #18 position for commercial photography this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 14 commercial photography students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Laguardia Community College in the most recent data year. Commercial Photography graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $13,554 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,858.
See the full commercial photography program report for Cuny Laguardia Community College
Pikes Peak Community College placed #19 among the best commercial photography schools. Pikes Peak Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. There were roughly 23 commercial photography students who graduated with this degree at Pikes Peak Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $41,037. Students borrow a median of $16,066 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in commercial photography from Pikes Peak Community College
Augusta Technical College came in at #20 for commercial photography this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Augusta Technical College awarded about 12 commercial photography degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Augusta Technical College generally make around $41,892. Students borrow a median of $11,400 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in commercial photography from Augusta Technical College
Atlanta Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best commercial photography schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. About 16 commercial photography degrees were awarded at Atlanta Technical College in the most recent year. Commercial Photography graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $35,441 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,655 to complete this degree.
Read more about the commercial photography program at Atlanta Technical College
North Georgia Technical College came in at #22 for commercial photography this year. North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarkesville. North Georgia Technical College awarded about 26 commercial photography degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the commercial photography program make about $34,133 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,279.
Read more about the commercial photography program at North Georgia Technical College
Tulsa Technology Center landed the #23 spot for commercial photography this year. Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Tulsa. There were roughly 31 commercial photography students who graduated with this degree at Tulsa Technology Center in the most recent data year. Graduates of the commercial photography program make about $32,406 in their early career. Tulsa Technology Center graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans.
See the full commercial photography program report for Tulsa Technology Center
Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television earned the #24 position for commercial photography this year. Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Bayamon. About 20 commercial photography degrees were awarded at Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television in the most recent year. Students who receive their commercial photography degree from Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television earn around $7,984 in the first couple years of their career.
More information about a degree in commercial photography from Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television
Academia Serrant Inc landed the #25 spot for commercial photography this year. Academia Serrant Inc is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Ponce. Academia Serrant Inc awarded about 29 commercial photography degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Academia Serrant Inc generally make around $14,762.
Read more about the commercial photography program at Academia Serrant Inc
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This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 84 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
