Author: Don Orkoskey
I'm not a big advocate for going to school for photography. In fact, I highly recommend studying other subjects such as business (if you want to run a photography business). That said, if you're really set on studying photography then the following are the ten best photography schools in the world.
| School & Location | Degrees | Est. Annual Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Portfolio Requirements | Known For / Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Providence, RI | BFA MFA | ~$63,900 | ~14% | 12–20 slides + written process notes | Darkroom techniques, fine art, & world-class studio facilities |
School of Visual Arts (SVA) New York, NY | BFA MFA | ~$50,000–$55,000 | ~70% | 15–20 images showing personal direction | Industry connections, commercial, & contemporary digital media |
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) Valencia, CA | BFA MFA | ~$57,000 | ~26% | 15–20 slides demonstrating conceptual rigor | Experimental, interdisciplinary art & contemporary theory |
Parsons School of Design (The New School) New York, NY | BFA | ~$58,000–$63,000 | ~50% | 8–12 slides via SlideRoom | Integration with fashion, editorial work, & design media |
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Rochester, NY | BFA MFA | ~$56,000 | ~67% | 15–20 images showcasing technical proficiency | Technical rigor, photo technology, & commercial applications |
Yale University School of Art New Haven, CT | MFA | ~$45,000–$50,000 | ~5% | 20 recent images/videos | Highly selective graduate studies, critical theory, & fine art |
School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) Chicago, IL | BFA MFA | ~$54,000 | ~78% | 10–15 images showing conceptual breadth | Interdisciplinary art, museum access, & experimental media |
Pratt Institute Brooklyn, NY | BFA | ~$58,000 | ~50% | 12–15 images displaying personal voice | Fine arts foundation, darkroom facilities, & NYC creative network |
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Los Angeles, CA | BA | ~$14,000 (In-State) ~$44,000 (Out-of-State) | ~9% | 10–20 images via department portal | Conceptual/experimental photography & LA contemporary art scene |
The Royal College of Art (RCA) London, UK | MA | ~£35,000–£39,000 (Int'l) | ~20% | Online portfolio + interview process | Global post-grad reputation, visual culture, & critical theory |
How To Become A Photographer Without Paying A Fortune For School
1. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
Location: Providence, RI
Quick Stats:
Degrees Offered: BFA, MFA
Est. Annual Tuition: ~$63,900
Acceptance Rate: ~14%
Portfolio Requirements: 12–20 slides highlighting your technical skills, creative process, and personal voice, accompanied by written process notes.
Why RISD stands out
RISD offers a world-class balance between traditional analog techniques and modern digital manipulation. Students gain access to pristine darkroom facilities, large-format printing labs, and specialized studio spaces.
Photographer's Take: If you want deep technical mastery over printing chemistry alongside rigorous visual storytelling, RISD remains one of the premier fine art photo institutions globally.
2. School of Visual Arts (SVA)
Location: New York, NY
Quick Stats:
Degrees Offered: BFA, MFA
Est. Annual Tuition: ~$50,000–$55,000
Acceptance Rate: ~70%
Portfolio Requirements: 15–20 images showcasing a clear conceptual focus and strong personal direction.
Why SVA Stands Out
Situated right in Manhattan, SVA excels at bridging fine art education with real-world commercial studio experience. Faculty members are active, working industry professionals in editorial, commercial, and gallery spaces.
Photographer's Take: SVA is ideal for photographers focused on fashion, commercial work, or modern editorial practice who want immediate access to New York City’s creative industry network.
3. California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
Location: Valencia, CA
Quick Stats:
Degrees Offered: BFA, MFA
Est. Annual Tuition: ~$57,000
Acceptance Rate: ~26%
Portfolio Requirements: 15–20 slides demonstrating conceptual depth, experimentation, and critical thought.
How CalArts Stands Out
Founded by Walt Disney, CalArts approaches photography from a deeply conceptual, interdisciplinary angle. Rather than focusing purely on commercial technique, the curriculum pushes students to explore theory, video, and mixed media.
Photographer's Take: Choose CalArts if you view camera work as a medium for fine art, installation, or critical cultural critique rather than standard commercial assignments.
4. Parsons School of Design at The New School
Location: New York, NY
Quick Stats:
Degrees Offered: BFA
Est. Annual Tuition: ~$58,000–$63,000
Acceptance Rate: ~50%
Portfolio Requirements: 8–12 slides submitted online via SlideRoom showing visual concept and creative voice.
Why Parsons Stands Out
Parsons blends photographic technique directly with design, editorial media, and fashion. Students learn how image-making operates within commercial campaigns, publishing platforms, and high-fashion spaces.
Photographer's Take: An exceptional choice for photographers aiming to work in fashion publishing, brand art direction, or high-end editorial image production.
5. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Location: Rochester, NY
Quick Stats:
Degrees Offered: BFA, MFA
Est. Annual Tuition: ~$56,000
Acceptance Rate: ~67%
Portfolio Requirements: 15–20 images demonstrating technical accuracy, lighting proficiency, and composition.
How RIT Stands Out
RIT is famous for its unrivaled technical rigor. Their photo program covers high-end commercial shooting, photo tech, color science, and biomedical image capture alongside traditional fine art studio work.
Photographer's Take: If you want to master commercial lighting gear, technical precision, and high-end digital asset management, RIT offers one of the most comprehensive skill-building environments available.
6. Yale University School of Art
Location: New Haven, CT
Quick Stats:
Degrees Offered: MFA only
Est. Annual Tuition: ~$45,000–$50,000
Acceptance Rate: ~5%
Portfolio Requirements: 20 recent images or videos showing advanced artistic development and conceptual clarity.
Why Yale Stands Out
Yale offers one of the most selective, prestigious graduate photography programs in existence. The curriculum centers on intense peer critiques, independent studio practice, and theoretical debate.
Photographer's Take: For MFA applicants seeking gallery representation, university-level teaching paths, or top-tier fine art curation networks, Yale is the gold standard.
7. School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
Location: Chicago, IL
Quick Stats:
Degrees Offered: BFA, MFA
Est. Annual Tuition: ~$54,000
Acceptance Rate: ~78%
Portfolio Requirements: 10–15 images demonstrating technical range and open conceptual experimentation.
How SAIC Stands Out
SAIC encourages students to cross traditional discipline boundaries. Photographers here often combine digital imagery with sculpture, printmaking, installation, and performance art, supported by direct access to the Art Institute museum collections.
Photographer's Take: Perfect for multi-disciplinary artists who want to use photography as one piece of a broader, experimental fine art practice.
8. Pratt Institute
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Quick Stats:
Degrees Offered: BFA
Est. Annual Tuition: ~$58,000
Acceptance Rate: ~50%
Portfolio Requirements: 12–15 images demonstrating strong composition and authentic creative perspective.
How Pratt Stands Out
Located in Brooklyn, Pratt combines traditional fine art foundations with darkroom chemical processing and contemporary digital capture. Its vibrant campus community puts students right in the heart of New York's artistic hub.
Photographer's Take: A well-rounded, creative environment for undergrads looking for solid fine art foundations alongside built-in exposure to East Coast gallery culture.
9. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Quick Stats:
Degrees Offered: BA (Fine Arts focus)
Est. Annual Tuition: ~$14,000 (In-State) | ~$44,000 (Out-of-State)
Acceptance Rate: ~9%
Portfolio Requirements: 10–20 images submitted directly through the department application portal.
Why UCLA Stands Out
UCLA’s art department provides public-university tuition rates with world-class, contemporary art school instruction. Positioned in Los Angeles, students are directly connected to West Coast galleries, museums, and production studios.
Photographer's Take: In-state California residents get unbeatable value here, gaining top-tier fine art training at a fraction of private art school tuition.
10. The Royal College of Art (RCA)
Location: London, UK
Quick Stats:
Degrees Offered: MA only
Est. Annual Tuition: ~£35,000–£39,000 (International)
Acceptance Rate: ~20%
Portfolio Requirements: Comprehensive online digital portfolio followed by an invitation-only faculty interview.
How RCA Stands Out
As one of the premiere postgraduate art institutions globally, the RCA attracts international talent focused on critical image theory, visual culture, and cutting-edge international exhibitions.
Photographer's Take: An outstanding destination for post-grad photographers seeking a global perspective, international gallery connections, and rigorous artistic critique outside North America.
The Best Photography Learning Websites
Ten Best Photography Schools
These institutions are the ten best photography schools in the world. They are known for their robust faculty, curriculum, and opportunities for students to develop their portfolios in a creative, supportive environment. Some emphasize fine art photography, while others offer broader studies that may include commercial photography, photojournalism, or new media.
Learn Photography Basics
It's a great idea to learn the basics of photography before attending photography school. Taking an online class or even buying a book such as my book on exposure is a great place to start.
Become A Professional Photographer Without Going To School
Photography school is expensive. Plus, there are other great paths into the industry. If you're interested in exploring more, faster ways to becoming a professional photographer get my book on Becoming A Photographer Without Going To School.
Don Orkoskey
December 31, 2024
I'm full time professional event and headshot photographer Don Orkoskey. Since 2007 I've owned WDO Photography. Additionally, I teach photography in partnership with a number of amazing organizations as well as offering my own group photography classes and individual photography lessons. I teach classes for both adults and children and lead free nature photography meetups each month. I also write a monthly newsletter full of great information and maintain a list of free photography resources and have a YouTube channel to help you learn photography.
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