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First, some facts. Of the Photography graduates from The Art Institutes we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 42%, Photography graduates from The Art Institutes have a substantially lower likelihood (-25%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 0% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Photography graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 19% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2012 from The Art Institutes with a Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA in Photography. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONCommunity Associate REGUS - IWG plc. Offices | Coworking | Meeting Rooms. Jan 2019 - Apr 2021 Contract Administrator  Aldine ISD Jan 2021 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
It looks like many graduates from The Art Institutes who've studied Photography have landed in a mix of jobs. The most common roles are definitely focused on photography, with gigs like Photographer, Owner/Operator of photography businesses, and even Freelance Photographers popping up frequently. These positions directly call upon the creative and technical know-how that comes from their degrees and show a strong alignment with their education. For instance, those working as photographers or in creative roles related to photography tend to find success and relevance in their careers, which is a solid reflection of their studies.
However, it's pretty clear that not all paths taken by these graduates are directly related to photography. A good chunk of them has ventured into roles like contract administration, teaching, or even marketing, which don’t really utilize what they learned in their photography programs. These jobs might develop other skills, like communication or organization, but they definitely stray away from the camera and the art of capturing images. So while there are impressive examples of successful photography careers, a lot of graduates seem to navigate broader job landscapes that don’t fully leverage their artistic training.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Photography graduates (this is across all Photography graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to The Art Institutes):
Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from The Art Institutes who studied Photography, it seems like there's a mixed bag. Initially, many of these graduates secure jobs directly related to photography, like working as photographers or taking on freelance opportunities soon after they graduate. For instance, graduates in 2011 and 2015 found positions as photographers, which indicates that they started their careers in fields relevant to their degree. However, several graduates have also veered off into other career paths that aren’t strictly tied to photography. For example, one graduate who majored in photography transitioned into roles like contract administration and teaching, which can seem like a big leap away from the creative side of things.
Five to ten years post-graduation, some graduates seem to have established careers that involve blending photography with other skills or even stepping into entirely different fields. We see individuals taking on roles in marketing coordination, administrative positions, and even education. Some graduates continue in creative roles through freelance work, while others take on managerial or administrative jobs, which might not align with photography but have their own perks. Overall, while there are a handful of graduates thriving in photography-specific careers, quite a few are finding themselves in unexpected roles that diverge significantly from their original path. This could be due to various factors like job availability in photography, economic shifts, or personal interests evolving over time.
Honestly, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Photography, including at schools like The Art Institutes, can be a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, if you’re already super passionate about photography and have a good eye, you might find it more exciting than tough—lots of creative projects and hands-on work can make it feel more like play than school sometimes. On the other hand, it’s not all easy breezy; you'll have to learn about things like lighting, composition, photo editing, and even some technical stuff that might not be your favorite. Plus, there are critiques and deadlines that can be pretty stressful. Overall, it’s probably about average in terms of difficulty—challenging enough to keep you engaged, but if you love the art, it’s definitely a rewarding journey!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Photography.
Looking at the career paths of these photography graduates from The Art Institutes, it seems like many of them have explored a mix of creative and non-creative jobs, which might suggest a hit-or-miss situation with their earnings. For instance, the first grad dabbled in photography-related businesses but also took on a lot of volunteering roles, which may not pay much. Others have switched to more stable jobs, like teaching or administrative positions, which typically offer decent salaries but might not be as fulfilling if they were hoping to stick with photography. Overall, while some may have had the chance to make good money through freelance work or running their own businesses, it’s also clear that a lot of them have transitioned into various roles that might not align directly with their degree but offer more financial stability. So, it's a mixed bag; there are definitely opportunities out there, but not all of them have panned out to be lucrative careers in photography alone.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Photography (this is across all Photography graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to The Art Institutes). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Photography (ordered by the average relevance score of their Photography graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 School of Visual Arts
|
78 | 14 |
 Academy of Art University
|
73 | 11 |
 Fashion Institute of Technology
|
72 | 11 |
 Savannah College of Art and Design
|
70 | 24 |
 Columbia College Chicago
|
62 | 12 |
 The Art Institutes
|
42 | 11 |