Photography Degree in Jackson, MS — Salary & ROI 2026
Photography degree analysis for Jackson, MS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$47K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$48K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Jackson
Cost of Living
93
index (100 = avg)
Photography in Jackson, MS Overview
Jackson, Mississippi (pop. 153,701) has 11 colleges offering Photography programs. The local cost of living index of 93 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $855/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 Jackson is approximately $46,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$8,684/yr
Private Tuition
$27,400/yr
Room & Board
$12,839/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,629/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
62%
Photography Salary in Jackson (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Jackson's cost of living index of 93 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Photography salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Jackson adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.
Photography ROI Calculator for Jackson
Estimate your return on investment for a Photography degree using local Jackson tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,684 | Private avg: $27,400
Jackson avg aid: $14,629/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,092
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,950
vs HS diploma in Jackson
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Jackson
$25,508
Lifetime earnings premium ($111,600) minus total education cost ($86,092)
Student Loan Payoff for Photography in Jackson
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Jackson for Photography
Jackson State University
public
$8,684/yr
$34,736 total
Belhaven University
private
$27,400/yr
$109,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Hinds Community College
$3,300/yr
Top Employers for Photography in Jackson
Jackson offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Photography graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Jackson Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Photography Job Titles
Photography in Nearby Mississippi Cities
Other Arts & Design Majors in Jackson
UX Design
$47K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$54K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$47K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$47K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$45K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$47K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$47K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$47K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Photography Degree in Jackson — 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 Jackson.