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Owner/photographer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an owner/photographer. Owner/photographers usually study photography, business, or graphic design. 59% of owner/photographers hold a bachelor's degree, and 23% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 7,146 real owner/photographer resumes to see exactly what owner/photographer education sections show.
The most common colleges for owner/photographers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online owner/photographer courses to help get the education required to be an owner/photographer.
There are certain owner/photographer certifications that you should consider. These owner/photographer certifications include Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) and Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
What education do you need to become an owner/photographer?
What degree do you need to be an owner/photographer?
- Bachelor's, 59%
- Associate, 23%
- High School Diploma, 8%
- Master's, 6%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become an owner/photographer?
- Photography, 23%
- Business, 16%
- Graphic Design, 9%
- Communication, 7%
- Other Majors, 45%
Most common colleges for owner/photographers
| Owner/photographer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 11.18% |
| The Art Institute of Pittsburgh | 9.87% |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | 7.24% |
| Arizona State University | 5.48% |
| Full Sail University | 5.04% |
Best majors for owner/photographers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Photography | 23.1% |
| 2 | Business | 15.9% |
| 3 | Graphic Design | 9.0% |
| 4 | Communication | 7.1% |
| 5 | Fine Arts | 6.0% |
Best colleges for owner/photographers
The best colleges for owner/photographers are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and University of Pennsylvania.
An owner/photographer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for owner/photographers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become owner/photographers.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
5. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
8. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
9. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
10. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
20 best online courses for owner/photographers
Advertising disclosure
1. Real Estate Photography Masterclass
A Guide to Equipment, Technique and Workflow for Real Estate Photography...
2. Mastering Architecture and Real Estate Photography
Start a business photographing real estate photography jobs for architects, builders, and real estate agents...
3. Photography Composition & Portrait Photography Masterclass
Creative Photography Masterclass - Learn How To Compose Images & Observe Light - Studio / Portrait / Street Photography...
4. Photography Masterclass: A Complete Guide to Photography
The Best Online Professional Photography Class: How to Take Amazing Photos for Beginners & Advanced Photographers...
5. Portrait Photography: Share with Joy!
Master lighting, camera, editing, and posing in my proven photography system. Shoot with confidence...
6. Portrait Photography for Beginners
You'll learn how to take better portraits with any camera in this complete portrait photography course...
7. Wedding Photography: Complete Guide to Wedding Photography
Learn exactly how to become a wedding photographer, start a photo business of your own, and shoot better wedding photos...
8. iPhone Photography & Mobile Photography: Take Better Photos
Take Amazing & Professional Photos on Your i Phone or Mobile Phone w/our Mobile Photography + i Phone Photography Course...
9. Photography Style: Improve Your Photography Portfolio Today
A Practical Photography Guide: Stand Out From the Crowd w/your Unique Photography Style, Portfolio, Website, Instagram...
10. Street Photography: Capture Stunning Street Photography
Complete Street Photography Course: Capture beautiful street photography with this street photography masterclass...
11. Portrait Photography Masterclass: Headshot Photography Class
Your complete guide to pro headshots with simple gear. You'll discover how to use your gear, edit like a pro, and more...
12. Master Digital Photography for DSLR Photography Beginners
DSLR Photography course for beginners. Perfect for all photography levels: Beginner - Advanced Photography Lighting...
13. Real Estate Photography: How To Get Started
Discover the secrets to starting a highly profitable real estate photo business. Taking Photos, Editing, Delivery etc...
14. How to Shoot Food Photography: Complete Guide for Beginners
Food Photography basics, Composition, Lighting effects, Color Theory, Props and Styling...
15. iPhone Photography Take Professional Photos On Your iPhone
Your Online Guide to Taking Stunning i Phone Photography Like a Professional Digital Photographer...
16. THE Photography Masterclass: Complete Course on Photography
Learn how to create amazing images for beginners & advanced photographers. The only photography course you need...
17. Wedding Photography
Bob Davis, an elite member of the Canon Explorer of Light, shares 25 years of expertise...
18. Drone Photography For Real Estate
Discover the secrets to starting a highly profitable real estate drone business. Taking Photos, Editing, Delivery etc...
19. Photography for Beginners: Composition, Posing and Light
Creative Photography: Improve your photography through light, composition and posing!...
20. Photography - Become a Better Photographer - Part I
See results today! 50 photography tips for taking amazing photos with your DSLR, Mirrorless or compact camera...
Top 10 most affordable universities for owner/photographers
The most affordable schools for owner/photographers are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for owner/photographers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for owner/photographers.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
4. Fashion Institute of Technology
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$5,740
Cost of attendance
17,864
5. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
8. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
9. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
10. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for owner/photographers
The hardest universities for owner/photographers to get into are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for owner/photographers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for owner/photographers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
5. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
6. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
8. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
9. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
10. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for owner/photographers
The easiest schools for owner/photographers to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, notre dame de namur university, and notre dame college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an owner/photographer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for owner/photographers.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
4. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
5. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
6. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
7. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
8. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
9. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
10. Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
67%
SAT average
987
Average owner/photographer salary by education level
| Owner/photographer education level | Owner/photographer salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $38,674 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $42,279 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $39,950 |
Owner/photographer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025