Digital media is digitized content such as audio, video, graphics, and text that can be transmitted over the Internet or computer networks, according to Businessdictionary.com. This means, digital media artists can find work in a wide variety of fields such as advertising, animation, public relations and marketing, film and video, radio and television broadcasting, gaming, graphic design, publishing, web design, photography, education, consulting, non-profit, government, museums, and more.
In the State of New York, digital artists have access to a large collection of top employers that are always looking for fresh talent. BBDO, Young & Rubicam (Y&R), The STUDIO, Ogilvy & Mather, UniWorld Group, the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), CBS Local Digital Media, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa), and MTV are just a few. In addition to job opportunities, New York is an excellent place to earn a degree in digital media. The state is home to dozens of top-tier art schools as well as a 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 and where to find them.
New York Digital Media Schools
New York is home to 304 Title IV colleges and universities. These schools are eligible for federal financial aid programs, which makes them accessible to students that may need help meeting tuition costs. This is a huge benefit considering the costs of many of New York’s finest art schools. Some of the best in the state are:
Alfred
Alfred State - Degrees Offered: AAS - Digital Media & Animation, BS Digital Media & Animation
Brooklyn
NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering – Degrees Offered: BS Integrated Digital Media, MS Integrated Digital Media, Accelerated BS/MS Integrated Digital Media
Ithaca
Cornell University - Degrees Offered: BFA Art with a Digital Media Concentration
Oswego
State University of New York at Oswego - Degrees Offered: BFA Studio Art with a Concentration in Digital Media
Rochester
Rochester Institute of Technology - Degrees Offered: BFA New Media Design and Imaging, BS Media Arts and Technology, New Media Interactive Development
Saratoga Springs
Skidmore College - Degrees Offered: BS Studio Art with a Concentration in Digital Media
More New York Schools with Digital Media related programs:
- San Francisco & Online
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#15) - 2020
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#23) - 2020
- Top 40 Nationally for Illustration (#29) - 2020
- Atlanta, Georgia; Savannah, Georgia; Lacoste, France; and SCAD eLearning
- Animation – BFA, MA, MFA
- Film and Television – BFA, MA, MFA
- Graphic Design – BA, BFA, MA, MFA
- Illustration – BA, BFA, MA, MFA
- Immersive Reality - BFA
- Interactive Design and Game Development – BA, BFA, MA, MFA
- Motion Media Design – BFA, MA, MFA
- Sequential Art – BA, BFA, MA, MFA
- Visual Effects – BFA, MA, MFA
- User Experience (UX) Design – BFA
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#3) - 2020
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#12) - 2020
- Top 50 Nationally for Graphic Design (#9) - 2020
- Top 40 Nationally for Illustration (#9) - 2020
- Winter Park, FL & Online
- Computer Animation - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Game Programs - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Graphic Design & Digital Arts - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Film & Digital Cinematography - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Mobile Development - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Simulation & Visualization - Bachelor's - Campus
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#19) - 2020
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#17) - 2020
- Top 5 in Florida for Graphic Design (#4) - 2020
- Online
Employment and Salary Trends for New York Digital Media Artists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports information for all media and communications professionals as a single group. As of March 25, 2015, the U.S. was home to 25,530 professionals in this field averaging a mean annual wage of $51,440 per year. In 2013, the U.S. was home to 22,030 workers in this field averaging $52,550 per year. It is important to note that Individual salaries may vary greatly by location, industry, and more.
For example, media professionals in radio and television broadcasting average $47,500 per year while those in sound recording average $68,640 per year. In Florida, the average salary is $43,780 per year, while New York-based media professionals average $61,510 per year. This is the fifth highest salary for media professionals in the U.S. At $102,210 per year, New Mexico offers the highest average salary, followed by Colorado ($71,560 per year), District of Columbia ($69,600) and Georgia ($63,100).
The top paying industries for media and communications workers are:
- Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers (average salary $99,250 per year)
- Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing ($75,450)
- Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers ($70,930)
- Sound Recording Industries ($68,640)
- Scientific Research and Development Services ($61,480)
In 2013, New York was home to 1,710 media professionals. Today, the state is home to 1,140 workers in this field. Although the population has decreased, New York still has the fourth highest employment level for media professionals. The states with the highest employment levels are:
- California
- Minnesota
- Florida
- New York
- Texas
The industries with the highest employment levels are:
- Motion Picture and Video Industries
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
- Radio and Television Broadcasting
- Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services
- Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events
In addition to making the top five list for employment, the New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division is number three on the list of metro areas with the highest employment levels for this occupation. It is important to note that many media and communications professionals work independently. This means, the total population of people working in this field is likely much higher. Individual salaries for independent workers may be much more or less than the average as well.
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