Photography · District of Columbia
Photography colleges in District of Columbia
CampusPin lists 12 U.S. colleges in District of Columbia that offer Photography programs. Compare tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment in the table below, every figure links back to the institution's official IPEDS data.
Photography combines technical camera and lighting craft with visual storytelling and post-production, suited to students who want to build a portfolio across editorial, commercial, or fine-art work.
Schools in District of Columbia that offer Photography
American University
Washington, DC · University · Private
Tuition
$56,543
Acceptance
47%
Enrollment
12,795
Gallaudet University
Washington, DC · University · Private
Tuition
$18,382
Acceptance
61%
Enrollment
1,324
George Washington University
Washington, DC · University · Private
Tuition
$64,990
Acceptance
44%
Enrollment
25,029
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · University · Private
Tuition
$65,081
Acceptance
13%
Enrollment
19,886
Howard University
Washington, DC · University · Private
Tuition
$33,344
Acceptance
35%
Enrollment
12,830
Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies
Washington, DC · University · Private
Tuition
$30,953
Acceptance
53%
Enrollment
6,966
Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family
Washington, DC · University · Private
Tuition
$30,953
Acceptance
75%
Enrollment
7,082
Saint Michael College of Allied Health
Washington, DC · Community College · Private
Tuition
$19,405
Acceptance
64%
Enrollment
123
The Catholic University of America
Washington, DC · University · Private
Tuition
$55,834
Acceptance
84%
Enrollment
5,095
University of the District of Columbia
Washington, DC · University · Public
Tuition
$6,152
Acceptance
100%
Enrollment
3,638
University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus
Washington, DC · University · Private
Tuition
$6,660
Acceptance
100%
Enrollment
593
Wesley Theological Seminary
Washington, DC · University · Private
Tuition
$30,953
Acceptance
74%
Enrollment
6,747
Photography programs in District of Columbia: by the numbers
A quick comparison of the 12 schools listed above, drawn from each institution's published IPEDS data.
Schools listed
12
Public / private
1 / 11
Universities / 2-year
11 / 1
Cities represented
1
In-state tuition range
$6,152–$65,081
Median in-state tuition
$30,953
Lowest published in-state tuition
University of the District of Columbia
$6,152
Most selective
Georgetown University
13% acceptance
Largest by enrollment
George Washington University
25,029 students
Figures reflect the schools currently listed and each institution's most recent reported data. Verify current tuition and admissions details with the school before applying.
What you'll study in a Photography program
- Camera operation, exposure, and lens selection (aperture, shutter, ISO)
- Studio and location lighting setups and modifiers
- Color management, RAW workflow, and digital post-production (Lightroom, Photoshop)
- Black-and-white, darkroom, and alternative process fundamentals
- Specialization tracks such as portrait, commercial/product, documentary, or photojournalism
- History and theory of photography and visual analysis
- Image editing, retouching, sequencing, and print/output preparation
- Portfolio development, critique, and a senior thesis body of work
Where a Photography degree can lead
- Photographers
- Photojournalist
- Commercial / Product Photographer
- Portrait / Wedding Photographer
- Photo Editor / Retoucher
- Studio / Camera Assistant
Typical pay: BLS reports a 2024 median annual wage of $42,520 for photographers; informational, not a CampusPin estimate.
A Photography major, usually offered as a BFA or BA, covers camera operation and exposure, studio and location lighting, color management, digital post-production, and the history and theory of the photographic image. Coursework moves from black-and-white and digital fundamentals into specialized areas such as portrait, commercial/product, documentary, photojournalism, and fine-art photography, and most programs require a sustained portfolio or thesis body of work plus a critique-based studio sequence.
Graduates build a portfolio and typically work as freelancers or in studios, agencies, publications, and in-house creative teams, shooting, editing, retouching, and managing client and licensing relationships. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of photographers is projected to grow 1.8% from 2024 to 2034. A college degree is not a strict requirement to enter the field, though a degree program is the common path for building craft and a body of work; advancement into teaching photography at the college level generally requires a graduate degree (often an MFA).
Photography in other states
Find more Photography schools
Use CampusPin's filter-first search to narrow 12+ Photography programs in District of Columbia by tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting.
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