Photography Degree in Overland Park, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Photography degree analysis for Overland Park, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$54K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.9 yrs
in Overland Park
Cost of Living
103
index (100 = avg)
Photography in Overland Park, KS Overview
Overland Park, Kansas (pop. 197,238) has 13 colleges offering Photography programs. The local cost of living index of 103 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,092/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 Overland Park is approximately $51,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
13
Public Tuition
$3,564/yr
Private Tuition
$48,279/yr
Room & Board
$11,548/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,390/yr
Unemployment
6%
Graduation Rate
54%
Photography Salary in Overland Park (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Overland Park's cost of living index of 103 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Photography salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Overland Park adjustment factor: 1.03x based on the local cost of living index.
Photography ROI Calculator for Overland Park
Estimate your return on investment for a Photography degree using local Overland Park tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $3,564 | Private avg: $48,279
Overland Park avg aid: $9,390/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$60,448
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,450
vs HS diploma in Overland Park
ROI Payback Period
3.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Overland Park
$63,152
Lifetime earnings premium ($123,600) minus total education cost ($60,448)
Student Loan Payoff for Photography in Overland Park
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Overland Park for Photography
Johnson County Community College
public
$3,564/yr
$14,256 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Johnson County Community College
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Photography in Overland Park
Overland Park offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Photography graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Overland Park Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Photography Job Titles
Photography in Nearby Kansas Cities
Wichita, KS
$52K starting · COL 104
20 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$41K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$48K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Topeka, KS
$42K starting · COL 84
14 colleges
Lawrence, KS
$54K starting · COL 108
5 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$43K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$48K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$48K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Overland Park
UX Design
$52K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$60K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$49K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$52K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$52K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$52K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Photography Degree in Overland Park — 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 Overland Park.