Best Photography Schools Near Poplar Bluff, MO (2026)

Poplar Bluff, Missouri is home to about 16,243 residents. Median household income is $42,035 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 16.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. In Missouri, the top-earning photography-related role is Film and Video Editor at a median $57,950 annually (BLS, May 2025).


Closest Photography Schools to Poplar Bluff

The accredited institutions listed below are the closest in our directory that offer photography programs near Poplar Bluff, ranked by BOC Score and straight-line distance from Poplar Bluff city center. The list is rebuilt from federal IPEDS data on every site update.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. On this page, schools are ordered by distance from Poplar Bluff. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

Ranked by BOC Score โ€” U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#1

Webster University

Saint Louis, MO 126.2 miles from Poplar Bluff
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
42.6 BOC Score
Graduation rate 55%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $50,876
Avg net price $27,047/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 73%
  • Programs offered: 105

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Saint Louis, MO 130.1 miles from Poplar Bluff
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
64.7 BOC Score
Graduation rate 62%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $62,105
Avg net price $22,066/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 84%
  • Programs offered: 71

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

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#3

Kansas City Art Institute

Kansas City, MO 276.7 miles from Poplar Bluff
  • 4 year
30.9 BOC Score
Graduation rate 60%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $37,032
Avg net price $27,650/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 77%
  • Programs offered: 13

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Missouri schools on the Missouri photography page.


Photography Wages Near Poplar Bluff

Occupation Median Annual Wage (Missouri, statewide)
Photographer $39,170
Graphic Designer $56,750
Film and Video Editor $57,950
Camera Operator N/A

Source: BLS, May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.


Poplar Bluff at a Glance

Metric Value Source
Population 16,243 Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003)
Median household income $42,035 Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013)
Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ 16.0% Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003)

Other Poplar Bluff-Area Cities With Photography Programs


Frequently Asked Questions

What are the highest-paying photography roles in Missouri?

Based on BLS May 2025 state wage data, the top-paying photography-related roles in Missouri are: Film and Video Editor ($57,950), Graphic Designer ($56,750), Photographer ($39,170). Wages for Poplar Bluff workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.

Should I look at programs in Paragould instead of Poplar Bluff?

Paragould, AR is 49.2 miles from Poplar Bluff and has its own set of local photography programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.

Is Poplar Bluff an affordable place to study photography?

Poplar Bluff’s median household income of $42,035 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Poplar Bluff while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Missouri public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.

How do I verify a program is accredited?

Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.


Learn More About Photography Programs

Other Programs Available in Poplar Bluff

Compare every accredited online degree program with city-level data for Poplar Bluff:

Data verified: September 6, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024โ€“2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.