Best Film/Video and Photographic Arts Schools in California

California has 19 colleges offering Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,804 recent graduates. Graduates earn $26,048 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $25,374.

School choice matters significantly: Chapman University graduates earn $37,568 while New York Film Academy graduates earn $16,169 — a $21,399 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in CA

$26,048

CA Avg. Earnings

$25,374

National Avg.

157

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Film/Video and Photographic Arts in California

Public Schools (9)

$26,338

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (8)

$26,813

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $475 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Film/Video and Photographic Arts Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

Chapman University

Orange, CA · Private

$37,568

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,357

Graduates: 155

Acceptance: 55.6%

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,409

Graduates: 29

Acceptance: 8.7%

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$32,711

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,075

Graduates: 79

Acceptance: 40.3%

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$29,557

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,793

Graduates: 185

Acceptance: 10.0%

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public

$29,064

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,057

Graduates: 112

Acceptance: 27.8%

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public

$27,874

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,473

Graduates: 97

Acceptance: 93.2%

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, CA ·

$27,203

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,710

Graduates: 135

Acceptance: N/A

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public

$27,126

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,831

Graduates: 72

Acceptance: 93.6%

Woodbury University

Burbank, CA · Private

$25,774

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,051

Graduates: 19

Acceptance: 72.9%

#10

John Paul the Great Catholic University

Escondido, CA · Private

$25,658

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,428

Graduates: 49

Acceptance: 79.3%

#11

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public

$25,503

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $21,281

Graduates: 144

Acceptance: 63.3%

#12

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public

$24,151

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,940

Graduates: 186

Acceptance: 96.2%

#13

University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA · Public

$23,508

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,155

Graduates: 143

Acceptance: 62.5%

#14

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public

$23,340

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,145

Graduates: 92

Acceptance: 25.6%

#15

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public

$22,482

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $20,210

Graduates: 46

Acceptance: 41.6%

#16

California College of ASU

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$22,268

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $22,661

Graduates: 84

Acceptance: N/A

#17

Art Center College of Design

Pasadena, CA · Private

$20,824

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $21,685

Graduates: 77

Acceptance: 75.0%

#18

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, CA · Private

$20,140

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $22,992

Graduates: 63

Acceptance: 25.9%

#19

New York Film Academy

Burbank, CA ·

$16,169

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $12,850

Graduates: 37

Acceptance: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Film/Video and Photographic Arts in California?

Chapman University ranks #1 for Film/Video and Photographic Arts in California with median graduate earnings of $37,568 within two years of graduation. There are 19 schools offering Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs in the state.

How much do Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduates earn in California?

Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduates in California earn an average of $26,048 within two years of graduation. This is 3% above the national average of $25,374 for this major.

What is the hardest Film/Video and Photographic Arts school to get into in California?

University of California-Los Angeles is the most selective Film/Video and Photographic Arts program in California with an acceptance rate of 8.7%. The average acceptance rate across Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs in the state is 54.5%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Film/Video and Photographic Arts in California?

In California, private Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs produce average earnings of $26,813 vs $26,338 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 9 public and 8 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in California

Construction Management $81,700 Construction Engineering $81,610 Construction Engineering Technologies $76,343 Engineering, General $76,184 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $75,984 Manufacturing Engineering $73,841 Engineering-Related Fields $73,096 Computer Science $72,889

All colleges in California →

Film/Video and Photographic Arts in Other States

New York Pennsylvania Ohio Texas Michigan Florida Massachusetts Georgia Washington Arizona Minnesota Indiana View All →

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.