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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Photography Schools in New York

9 Colleges in the United States
370 Photography Degrees Awarded
$24,242 Avg Early-Career Salary

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

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools to find the best for photography students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Photography in New York

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 photography degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Photography

1
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in photography. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 88% of students finish within six years. New York University awarded about 50 photography degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from New York University generally make around $19,835. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250. Read more about the photography program at New York University

2

Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best photography schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Rochester. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 67 photography degrees were awarded at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Photography graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $28,858 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full photography program report for Rochester Institute Of Technology

3
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

A rank of #3 makes Syracuse University one of the top schools for photography. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Syracuse. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 photography students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $26,331. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full photography details for Syracuse University

4
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

The New School is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in photography, landing the #4 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 76 photography students who graduated with this degree at The New School in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from The New School generally make around $21,523. Students borrow a median of $25,829 to complete this degree. See the full photography program report for The New School

5

A rank of #5 makes Suffolk County Community College one of the top schools for photography. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Selden. There were roughly 17 photography students who graduated with this degree at Suffolk County Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Typical student debt for the program is $11,246. More information about a degree in photography from Suffolk County Community College

6
Pratt Institute Main crest
Pratt Institute Main
Brooklyn, NY

Pratt Institute Main landed the #6 spot for photography this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pratt Institute Main awarded about 26 photography degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from Pratt Institute Main generally make around $16,710. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the photography program at Pratt Institute Main

7

Suny At Purchase College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best photography schools. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 photography students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Purchase College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their photography degree from Suny At Purchase College earn around $18,128 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,949. More information about a degree in photography from Suny At Purchase College

8

School Of Visual Arts earned the #8 position for photography this year. School Of Visual Arts is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. School Of Visual Arts awarded about 102 photography degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, photography degree recipients from School Of Visual Arts generally make around $26,888. School Of Visual Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the photography program at School Of Visual Arts

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 19 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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