Digital Media Schools in New York

In simple terms, digital media is “digitized content such as audio, video, graphics, and text that can be transmitted over the Internet or computer networks.” (businessdictionary.com) This means, digital media artists are multifaceted, so they fit well into just about any area of art, design, or media. Aspiring digital media artists can find work in advertising, film, gaming, public relations, graphic design, publishing, web design, photography, education, consulting, non-profit organizations, government departments, and museums.

In the state of New York, digital artists have access to a wide variety of companies that are always looking for fresh talent. Ad agencies, film and television studios, newspapers, electronic media companies, and non-profit organizations, are just a few options. Depending on the area of interest, graduates should consider renowned museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art or Museum of Modern Art, advertising agencies such as BBDO, Young & Rubicam (Y&R), Ogilvy & Mather, or UniWorld Group, or animation studios such as Blue Sky or Inky Dinky.

In addition to being a great place for excellent job opportunities, New York is an excellent place to study and train. The state is home to dozens of art schools and a wide variety of traditional colleges that offer art, design, and media programs. Just a few include Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), Brooklyn College, and the prestigious Cornell University. Continue reading to find out which New York colleges offer top-tier programs for digital media artists.

New York Digital Media Schools

According to the most recent report by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the state of New York is home to 304 Title IV colleges and universities, along with dozens of independent art and design schools. Many independent schools are accredited, but they may not have Title IV status (yet), so inquire within. Title IV status means, the school is eligible for federal financial aid programs. Scroll through the list below to review New York’s best options for aspiring digital media artists and what they have to offer.

Ithaca
Cornell University - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Digital Media Concentration, Undergraduate Concentration in Computing in the Arts (offered with the Art, Computer Science, Dance, Film, Music and Psychology programs)

Oswego
State University of New York at Oswego - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design, Studio Art with Concentration in Digital Media, Illustration

Rochester
Rochester Institute of Technology - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design, 3D Digital Graphics, Film and Animation, Illustration, New Media Design and Imaging; B. S. Game Design and Development, Media Arts and Technology, New Media Interactive Development; M. F. A. Computer Graphics Design, Film and Animation, Graphic Design; M. S. Game Design and Development

Saratoga Springs
Skidmore College - Degrees Offered: B. S. Studio Art with Concentration in Communication Design, Digital Media

More New York Schools with Digital Media related programs:  

Employment and Salary Trends for New York Digital Media Artists

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average salary for all media professionals (including digital media), but individual salaries vary greatly by company, geographic location, experience, specialty, and more. For example, digital media artists that work in film and video average around $67,200 per year, digital media instructors average $50,500, and at $82,870 per year, independent (digital) media artists earn one of the highest average salaries in the U.S.

New York has the fifth highest employment level in this occupation, and at an average salary of $55,560, it is also the fifth highest paying state. Most of the state’s 1,220 media professionals live in the New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NY metropolitan area. The average salary for these individuals is $54,180. However, the average salary for the state overall is slightly higher at $55,560 per year.

Industries with the highest employment levels overall are film and video; advertising, public relations and related services; colleges, universities, and professional schools; radio and television broadcasting, and local government. Top paying industries for digital media artists are independent artists ($82,870), aerospace ($67,830), film and video ($67,200), manufacturing ($62,760), and office and administrative services ($60,430).