Photography
Program Summary
A program that focuses on the principles and techniques of communicating information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the creation of images on photographic film, plates, digital images and that may prepare individuals to be professional photographic artists. Includes instruction in camera and equipment operation and maintenance, film and plate developing, light and composition, films and printing media, color and special effects, photographic art, photographic history, use of computer applications to record or enhance images and applications to the photography of various subjects.
Discover More About a Degree in Photography
Recent Questions
What is Photography?
Photography is the form of technology that captures images into a permanent state through a variety of mediums. Originally utilizing a form of film for the purposes of capture, technology has allowed for the use of digital storage to capture and manipulate images, resulting in the slow phase out of film roll, silver paper, and development fluids and rooms. Photography as a profession requires an understanding of equipment, technique, modes, types, lenses and other factors that allow for the desired capture of imagery for use commercially or artistically by others. The field of photography is broad, allowing for various types of photographers to exist as professionals.
Educational Requirements
A degree in photography prepares individuals for the multiple career opportunities one can have in the field of photography. Students studying photography will be exposed to an interesting cross section of art and science. Students will learn about the technical functions of cameras, the use of appropriate lenses, and various formulae to find the right settings for a given shot. Alongside the technical courses, students will learn about the art of photography, its history, as an artistic medium, lighting, composition and more. Students of photography will be required to take photos constantly as part of their course load, building a portfolio and gaining practical experience even as they study.
Most students pursuing a degree in photography will pursue a bachelor's degree, though associate and certificate programs are also available. Also, photography can be attached to another discipline, such as science or journalism, allowing for specialization in the types of photos and subject matter the individual will focus.
A curriculum in photography may include:
- Digital Imaging
- Graphic Design
- History of Photography
- Color
- Portraiture
Employment Opportunities, Specialization and Barriers to Entry
A career in photography does not require an individual to obtain a degree in photography. As an art form, photography prizes talent and skill over formal education. As such one's portfolio is more important that a degree, and readily demonstrable skill more valuable than a certification. That being said, certain types of photography careers may require an individual to have a certain level of education, such as an industrial photographer or photojournalist. Often students will choose to take photography courses in conjunction with another program allowing for the combination of the two fields, for example industrial design, journalism, or fashion design. Individuals who chose to specialize in such a manner will have specific knowledge of their subjects, and thus more likely to find work in that specific field.
Even though photography does not require a post-secondary education, individuals should consider taking courses or pursuing a degree due to the exposure to the various equipment, styles, and techniques that one may not encounter in a normal work setting. The increased knowledge can open up opportunities and assist in developing skills that can be beneficial in obtaining work. Additionally, having a professional provide tutelage and methods for shot selection, light readings and the variety of other minutiae that allows a photographer quickly and capably produce print quality images can be useful in a hobbyist or professional setting.
One of the primary barriers of entry into photography is cost, with professional grade equipment often costing large sums and requiring some professionals to upgrade as new iterations of equipment are released. Though the cost of equipment is high, it has seen an overall reduction in price for without an increase in quality for even the lowest end cameras allowing aspiring professionals to enter the market more easily than in the past. Additionally, costs are somewhat offset by the reduced use of expensive film and the costs of development.
Job Growth, Salary and Related Fields
Job growth is expected to remain about as fast as average over the next decade. This is due to multiple factors, including the decreasing cost of digital camera equipment and the increase in amateur enthusiasts and hobbyists. Additionally, as quality of images increases and the manipulation of images becomes technologically easier, and thus more commonplace, will increase competition. The average salary for a photographer is approximately $29,000 per year, but can vary greatly based on industry or type of photographer.
Individuals interested in photography may also be interested in cinematography and film, photojournalism, or graphic design.
Top Schools That Offer a Photography Degree or Program
4-Year Colleges and Universities
| Academy of Art University | |
- San Francisco, CA
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| Andrews University | |
- Berrien Springs, MI
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| Arcadia University | |
- Glenside, PA
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| Art Academy of Cincinnati | |
- Cincinnati, OH
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| Art Center College of Design | |
- Pasadena, CA
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| Bard College at Simon's Rock | |
- Great Barrington, MA
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| Barry University | |
- Miami, FL
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| Bennington College | |
- Bennington, VT
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| Bradley University | |
- Peoria, IL
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| Brigham Young University | |
- Provo, UT
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| Brooks Institute | |
- Santa Barbara, CA
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| Burlington College | |
- Burlington, VT
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| California Institute of the Arts | |
- Valencia, CA
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| California State University - Sacramento | |
- Sacramento, CA
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| Calvary Bible College and Theological Seminary | |
- Kansas City, MO
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| Cardinal Stritch University | |
- Milwaukee, WI
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| Carroll University | |
- Waukesha, WI
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| Carson - Newman College | |
- Jefferson City, TN
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| Chatham University | |
- Pittsburgh, PA
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| Chester College of New England | |
- Chester, NH
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| Cleveland Institute of Art | |
- Cleveland, OH
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| Coker College | |
- Hartsville, SC
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| College for Creative Studies | |
- Detroit, MI
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| College of Visual Arts | |
- Saint Paul, MN
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| Columbia College | |
- Columbia, MO
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| Columbia College Chicago | |
- Chicago, IL
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| Concordia University - Wisconsin | |
- Mequon, WI
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| Corcoran College of Art and Design | |
- Washington, DC
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| Cranbrook Academy of Art | |
- Bloomfield Hills, MI
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| Dominican University | |
- River Forest, IL
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| Drexel University | |
- Philadelphia, PA
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| Eastern Mennonite University | |
- Harrisonburg, VA
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| Ferris State University | |
- Big Rapids, MI
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| Fitchburg State University | |
- Fitchburg, MA
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| Gallaudet University | |
- Washington, DC
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| Grand Valley State University | |
- Allendale, MI
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| Grand View University | |
- Des Moines, IA
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| Indiana Wesleyan University | |
- Marion, IN
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| International Academy of Design and Technology - Tampa | |
- Tampa, FL
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| John Brown University | |
- Siloam Springs, AR
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| Kansas City Art Institute | |
- Kansas City, MO
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| King College | |
- Bristol, TN
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| Lesley University | |
- Cambridge, MA
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| Living Arts College | |
- Raleigh, NC
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| Long Island University - C W Post Campus | |
- Brookville, NY
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| Louisiana Tech University | |
- Ruston, LA
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| Lynn University | |
- Boca Raton, FL
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| Maine College of Art | |
- Portland, ME
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| Marian University | |
- Indianapolis, IN
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| Marlboro College | |
- Marlboro, VT
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| Maryland Institute College of Art | |
- Baltimore, MD
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| Marymount Manhattan College | |
- New York, NY
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| Marywood University | |
- Scranton, PA
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| Massachusetts College of Art and Design | |
- Boston, MA
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| Memphis College of Art | |
- Memphis, TN
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| Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design | |
- Milwaukee, WI
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| Minneapolis College of Art and Design | |
- Minneapolis, MN
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| Montserrat College of Art | |
- Beverly, MA
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| Moore College of Art and Design | |
- Philadelphia, PA
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| Morningside College | |
- Sioux City, IA
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| New England College | |
- Henniker, NH
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| New York University | |
- New York, NY
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| Northern Arizona University | |
- Flagstaff, AZ
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| Oakland University | |
- Rochester Hills, MI
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| Ohio University | |
- Athens, OH
| Tuition and Fees
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| Oklahoma City University | |
- Oklahoma City, OK
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| Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology - Okmulgee | |
- Okmulgee, OK
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| Pacific Northwest College of Art | |
- Portland, OR
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| Pacific Union College | |
- Angwin, CA
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| Paier College of Art Inc | |
- Hamden, CT
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| Pennsylvania College of Art and Design | |
- Lancaster, PA
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| Point Park University | |
- Pittsburgh, PA
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| Pratt Institute - Main | |
- Brooklyn, NY
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| Providence College | |
- Providence, RI
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| Rhode Island School of Design | |
- Providence, RI
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| Ringling College of Art and Design | |
- Sarasota, FL
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| Rochester Institute of Technology | |
- Rochester, NY
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| Saint Edward's University | |
- Austin, TX
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| Saint Mary - of - the - Woods College | |
- Saint Mary of the Woods, IN
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| Salem State College | |
- Salem, MA
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| Sam Houston State University | |
- Huntsville, TX
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| San Francisco Art Institute | |
- San Francisco, CA
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| Santa Fe University of Art and Design | |
- Santa Fe, NM
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| Savannah College of Art and Design | |
- Savannah, GA
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| School of Visual Arts | |
- New York, NY
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| Seattle University | |
- Seattle, WA
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| Southern Adventist University | |
- Collegedale, TN
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| St. John's University - New York | |
- Queens, NY
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| Suny at Fredonia | |
- Fredonia, NY
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| Suny College at Buffalo | |
- Buffalo, NY
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| Suny College at New Paltz | |
- New Paltz, NY
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| Syracuse University | |
- Syracuse, NY
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| Temple University | |
- Philadelphia, PA
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| Texas A&M University - Commerce | |
- Commerce, TX
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| Texas Christian University | |
- Fort Worth, TX
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| Texas State University - San Marcos | |
- San Marcos, TX
| Tuition and Fees
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| The Art Center Design College - Tucson | |
- Tucson, AZ
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| The Art Institute of Atlanta | |
- Atlanta, GA
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| The Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago | |
- Chicago, IL
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| The New School | |
- New York, NY
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| The University of the Arts | |
- Philadelphia, PA
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| University of Akron | |
- Akron, OH
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| University of Central Florida | |
- Orlando, FL
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| University of Central Missouri | |
- Warrensburg, MO
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| University of Dayton | |
- Dayton, OH
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| University of Hartford | |
- West Hartford, CT
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| University of Houston | |
- Houston, TX
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| University of Illinois at Chicago | |
- Chicago, IL
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| University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign | |
- Champaign, IL
| Tuition and Fees
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| University of Maine at Augusta | |
- Augusta, ME
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| University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth | |
- North Dartmouth, MA
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| University of Miami | |
- Coral Gables, FL
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| University of Oregon | |
- Eugene, OR
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| Virginia Commonwealth University | |
- Richmond, VA
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| Virginia Intermont College | |
- Bristol, VA
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| Washington University in St Louis | |
- Saint Louis, MO
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| Watkins College of Art Design & Film | |
- Nashville, TN
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| Weber State University | |
- Ogden, UT
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| Webster University | |
- Saint Louis, MO
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| Western Washington University | |
- Bellingham, WA
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Community Colleges
| Amarillo College | |
- Amarillo, TX
| Tuition and Fees
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| Barstow Community College | |
- Barstow, CA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Burlington County College | |
- Pemberton, NJ
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| Butte College | |
- Oroville, CA
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| Casper College | |
- Casper, WY
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| Cecil College | |
- North East, MD
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| Cerritos College | |
- Norwalk, CA
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| Clark State Community College | |
- Springfield, OH
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| College of San Mateo | |
- San Mateo, CA
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| College of Southern Idaho | |
- Twin Falls, ID
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| College of the Canyons | |
- Santa Clarita, CA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Columbus State Community College | |
- Columbus, OH
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| Community College of Philadelphia | |
- Philadelphia, PA
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| County College of Morris | |
- Randolph, NJ
| Tuition and Fees
|
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| Dakota County Technical College | |
- Rosemount, MN
| Tuition and Fees
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| Danville Community College | |
- Danville, VA
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| Delaware County Community College | |
- Media, PA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Delaware Technical and Community College - Terry | |
- Dover, DE
| Tuition and Fees
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| Foothill College | |
- Los Altos Hills, CA
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| Grand Rapids Community College | |
- Grand Rapids, MI
| Tuition and Fees
|
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| Grossmont College | |
- El Cajon, CA
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| Harford Community College | |
- Bel Air, MD
| Tuition and Fees
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| Harrisburg Area Community College - Harrisburg | |
- Harrisburg, PA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Lansing Community College | |
- Lansing, MI
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| Lord Fairfax Community College | |
- Middletown, VA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Luzerne County Community College | |
- Nanticoke, PA
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| Merced College | |
- Merced, CA
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| Modesto Junior College | |
- Modesto, CA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Monterey Peninsula College | |
- Monterey, CA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Moorpark College | |
- Moorpark, CA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Mott Community College | |
- Flint, MI
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| Mt Hood Community College | |
- Gresham, OR
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| Mt. San Jacinto Community College District | |
- San Jacinto, CA
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| Nashville State Technical Community College | |
- Nashville, TN
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| Northern Oklahoma College | |
- Tonkawa, OK
| Tuition and Fees
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| Northern Virginia Community College | |
- Annandale, VA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Oakland Community College | |
- Bloomfield Hills, MI
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| Orange Coast College | |
- Costa Mesa, CA
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| Red Rocks Community College | |
- Lakewood, CO
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| Rio Hondo College | |
- Whittier, CA
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| Salt Lake Community College | |
- Salt Lake City, UT
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| San Antonio College | |
- San Antonio, TX
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| Santa Fe Community College | |
- Santa Fe, NM
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| Santa Rosa Junior College | |
- Santa Rosa, CA
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| Southwestern College | |
- Chula Vista, CA
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| Thomas Nelson Community College | |
- Hampton, VA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Tompkins Cortland Community College | |
- Dryden, NY
| Tuition and Fees
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| Washtenaw Community College | |
- Ann Arbor, MI
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| West Valley College | |
- Saratoga, CA
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Technical Colleges
| Tulsa Technology Center - Lemley Campus | |
- Tulsa, OK
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Career Colleges
| Antonelli College-Cincinnati | |
- Cincinnati, OH
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| Antonelli College-Jackson | |
- Jackson, MS
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| Antonelli Institute | |
- Erdenheim, PA
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| Delaware College of Art and Design | |
- Wilmington, DE
| Tuition and Fees
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| Hallmark Institute of Photography | |
- Turners Falls, MA
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Kaplan College-Dayton | |
- Dayton, OH
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| Lebanon College | |
- Lebanon, NH
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| Miami Ad School-Miami Beach | |
- Miami Beach, FL
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| New England School of Photography | |
- Boston, MA
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| Oklahoma School of Photography | |
- Moore, OK
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Pickens Technical College | |
- Aurora, CO
| Tuition and Fees
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| Portfolio Center | |
- Atlanta, GA
| Tuition and Fees
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