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Visual & Performing Arts · Film & Photography Rank #8 of 140

Film & Photographyat CUNY City College

Graduates earn $26,918/yr in their first year — about 4.0% above the national Film & Photography average. Base-case 10-year earnings $517K; scenarios range from $480K to $520K depending on AI disruption.

New York, NY Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
34 AT RISK
34
Optimistic
29
Pessimistic
Earnings
$26,918
1-year post-graduation
ROI
15.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$517K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
47% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at CUNY City College

Your decision to consider City College for Film/Video and Photographic Arts places you in one of the nation's premier programs for this field, a testament to its unique advantages. Much of your financial outlook here isn't just about the major, but its direct connection to New York City's unparalleled media ecosystem. While creative fields are often competitive, this program's graduates often find themselves well-positioned due to immediate access to countless production houses, advertising agencies, independent film studios, and photography businesses across the five boroughs. This robust local labor market provides a steady stream of internships and entry-level roles, helping you gain experience quickly. Given the high AI risk in certain creative roles, developing a diverse skillset and a strong, adaptable portfolio is critical. You'll need to proactively build your professional network from day one, leveraging every opportunity to connect with industry professionals, as your connections will be as valuable as your craft in securing those crucial early career opportunities.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$480K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score29/100
Earnings Multiple16.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$517K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score34/100
Earnings Multiple17.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$520K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score34/100
Earnings Multiple17.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to CUNY City College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Film & Photography graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Producers and directors
+4.9% 10-yr growth · 12,800 openings/yr
$83,480/yr
Moderate
2
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 9,000 openings/yr
$80,190/yr
Moderate
3
Communications teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 2,700 openings/yr
$77,800/yr
Moderate
4
Film and video editors
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 3,600 openings/yr
$70,980/yr
High
5
Camera operators, television, video, and film
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 2,900 openings/yr
$68,810/yr
Moderate
6
Photographers
+1.8% 10-yr growth · 12,700 openings/yr
$42,520/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Film & Photography

How CUNY City College stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Tufts University
MA · Private nonprofit
36
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
1.1x
ROI
Top score
Kennesaw State University
GA · Public
50
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
21.4x
ROI
Utah Valley University
UT · Public
44
DW Score
$42K
1-yr earn
15.7x
ROI
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
NJ · Public
33
DW Score
$39K
1-yr earn
4.6x
ROI
Rutgers University-Newark
NJ · Public
34
DW Score
$39K
1-yr earn
4.8x
ROI
Also at CUNY City College

Other top programs at CUNY City College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at CUNY City College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Film & Photography offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Film & Photography trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Film & Photography at CUNY City College

What does a 34/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Film & Photography at CUNY City College?

At 34/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Film & Photography programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Film & Photography at CUNY City College?

The 44% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

What do students actually pay for Film & Photography at CUNY City College?

The 53% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $29,360. At a net cost of $13,944, the earnings multiple improves substantially.