Film & Photography at New York Film Academy

Burbank, CA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Film/Video and Photographic Arts

with a smaller student body of 965 in Burbank, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $17,109 place New York Film Academy below the $21,229 national median for Film & Photography — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

At 7.7x the cost of tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI exposure is significant at 44% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

The $9,500 debt-to-$17,109 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #22 out of 23 programs, New York Film Academy's financial outcomes for Film & Photography trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $17,109 to $30,494 over five years (78% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

With 8 registered apprenticeships mapped to Film & Photography, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

28 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
22
Low End
28
Score
30
High End
Earnings $17,109/yr (-19% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (56% shielded)
Job Market Large (43,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$300K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
8.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$36,738
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
6.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$30,494
78% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Film & Photography graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Producers and directors $83,480 +4.9% 58%
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190 +1.7% 56%
Communications teachers, postsecondary $77,800 +2.1% 57%
Producers and directors
$83,480
+4.9% growth 58% AI-proof
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
$80,190
+1.7% growth 56% AI-proof
Communications teachers, postsecondary
$77,800
+2.1% growth 57% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Film & Photography Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Film & Photography careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering arts & design.

Read the full Film & Photography career guide →

Compare & Explore

Film & Photography Overview

Film & Photography at Other Schools

Other Majors at New York Film Academy

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Film & Photography at New York Film Academy?
A score of 28/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Film & Photography. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
How vulnerable is Film & Photography to AI automation?
With 44% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $178,999 in decade earnings vs $300,242 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Why are Film & Photography earnings lower at New York Film Academy?
Starting salary is one data point. If New York Film Academy's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Film & Photography through an apprenticeship instead of New York Film Academy?
There are 8 registered apprenticeships connected to Film & Photography occupations, such as Camera Operator and Digital Video Editor (Existing Title: Film Or Video Tape Editor). The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →