Photography Degree in Augusta, GA — Salary & ROI 2026
Photography degree analysis for Augusta, GA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$42K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$43K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Augusta
Cost of Living
83
index (100 = avg)
Photography in Augusta, GA Overview
Augusta, Georgia (pop. 202,081) has 11 colleges offering Photography programs. The local cost of living index of 83 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $848/month. Although national enrollment in Photography has been declining, graduates with skills in Lighting and Post-Processing remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Augusta is approximately $41,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$9,540/yr
Private Tuition
$30,837/yr
Room & Board
$9,609/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,269/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
56%
Photography Salary in Augusta (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Augusta's cost of living index of 83 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Photography salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Augusta adjustment factor: 0.83x based on the local cost of living index.
Photography ROI Calculator for Augusta
Estimate your return on investment for a Photography degree using local Augusta tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,540 | Private avg: $30,837
Augusta avg aid: $12,269/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$76,596
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,450
vs HS diploma in Augusta
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Augusta
$23,004
Lifetime earnings premium ($99,600) minus total education cost ($76,596)
Student Loan Payoff for Photography in Augusta
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Augusta for Photography
Augusta University
public
$9,540/yr
$38,160 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Augusta Technical College
$3,152/yr
Top Employers for Photography in Augusta
Augusta offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Photography graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Augusta Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Photography Job Titles
Photography in Nearby Georgia Cities
Atlanta, GA
$51K starting · COL 101
23 colleges
Columbus, GA
$42K starting · COL 84.5
8 colleges
Macon, GA
$51K starting · COL 101
13 colleges
Savannah, GA
$48K starting · COL 95
12 colleges
Athens, GA
$52K starting · COL 103
11 colleges
Sandy Springs, GA
$56K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Roswell, GA
$54K starting · COL 108.2
4 colleges
Johns Creek, GA
$56K starting · COL 112.8
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Augusta
UX Design
$42K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$48K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$42K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$42K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$40K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$42K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$42K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$42K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Photography Degree in Augusta — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Photography ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Augusta.