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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Commercial Photography Associate’s Degree Schools

18 Colleges in the United States
266 Commercial Photography Degrees Awarded
$30,355 Avg Early-Career Salary

Commercial Photography programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their commercial photography programs.

College Factual analyzed 84 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best commercial photography schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Commercial Photography in the United States

These are the top schools for a associate’s degree in commercial photography, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Commercial Photography

1

Leading the list is Fashion Institute Of Technology, our #1 school for commercial photography. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New York. About 55 commercial photography degrees were awarded at Fashion Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $14,361. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. See the full commercial photography program report for Fashion Institute Of Technology

2

Madison Area Technical College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in commercial photography, ranking #2. This large public university is located in the city of Madison. About 12 commercial photography degrees were awarded at Madison Area Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the commercial photography program make about $30,710 in their early career. Madison Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in commercial photography from Madison Area Technical College

3
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best commercial photography schools. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. There were roughly 11 commercial photography students who graduated with this degree at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent data year. Commercial Photography graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $34,227 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,766. See the full commercial photography program report for Salt Lake Community College

4

Des Moines Area Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in commercial photography, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 17 commercial photography students who graduated with this degree at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the commercial photography program make about $25,265 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,625. More information about a degree in commercial photography from Des Moines Area Community College

5

Austin Community College District came in at #5 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 14 commercial photography students who graduated with this degree at Austin Community College District in the most recent data year. Students who receive their commercial photography degree from Austin Community College District earn around $40,289 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,939. Read more about the commercial photography program at Austin Community College District

6

Metropolitan Community College Area ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best commercial photography schools. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. About 11 commercial photography degrees were awarded at Metropolitan Community College Area in the most recent year. Commercial Photography graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $29,902 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,526. Get the full commercial photography details for Metropolitan Community College Area

7
Mchenry County College crest
Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL

Mchenry County College came in at #7 for commercial photography this year. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. About 10 commercial photography degrees were awarded at Mchenry County College in the most recent year. Students who receive their commercial photography degree from Mchenry County College earn around $24,177 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete this degree. Get the full commercial photography details for Mchenry County College

8

Columbus State Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best commercial photography schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. Columbus State Community College awarded about 10 commercial photography degrees in the most recent data year. Columbus State Community College graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Read more about the commercial photography program at Columbus State Community College

9

Iowa Central Community College placed #9 among the best commercial photography schools. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Iowa Central Community College awarded about 10 commercial photography degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, commercial photography degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,624. Typical student debt for the program is $16,135. See the full commercial photography program report for Iowa Central Community College

10

Tyler Junior College came in at #10 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. Graduates of the commercial photography program make about $43,348 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in commercial photography from Tyler Junior College

11

College Of Southern Nevada placed #11 among the best commercial photography schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. College Of Southern Nevada awarded about 26 commercial photography degrees in the most recent data year. Commercial Photography graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500. See the full commercial photography program report for College Of Southern Nevada

12
Northwest College crest
Northwest College
Powell, WY

Northwest College placed #12 among the best commercial photography schools. Located in the town of Powell, Northwest College is a small public university. Northwest College awarded about 10 commercial photography degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their commercial photography degree from Northwest College earn around $40,014 in the first couple years of their career. Northwest College graduates carry a median of $12,996 in student loans. Get the full commercial photography details for Northwest College

13
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best commercial photography schools. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. About 14 commercial photography degrees were awarded at Cuny Laguardia Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the commercial photography program make about $13,554 in their early career. Cuny Laguardia Community College graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Get the full commercial photography details for Cuny Laguardia Community College

14

Augusta Technical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best commercial photography schools. Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Augusta. About 12 commercial photography degrees were awarded at Augusta Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the commercial photography program make about $41,892 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,400 to complete this degree. See the full commercial photography program report for Augusta Technical College

15

North Georgia Technical College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best commercial photography schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Clarkesville. About 10 commercial photography degrees were awarded at North Georgia Technical College in the most recent year. Commercial Photography graduates of North Georgia Technical College earn a median of $34,133 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,279 to complete this degree. Read more about the commercial photography program at North Georgia Technical College

16

Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television landed the #16 spot for commercial photography this year. Located in the city of Bayamon, Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television is a small private for-profit university. Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television awarded about 20 commercial photography degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the commercial photography program make about $7,984 in their early career. More information about a degree in commercial photography from Colegio De Cinematografia Artes Y Television

Other Commercial Photography Degree Levels

Explore the best commercial photography schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Commercial Photography
Bachelor's Degrees in Commercial Photography
Master's Degrees in Commercial Photography
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View All Commercial Photography Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 84 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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