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Field

Film and Video

Cinematography, production, editing, and post-production — what the training costs, what graduates earn, and how many finish.

Data last updated

A film crew at work in a warehouse: camera operator in the foreground, subject seated under a lighting rig, monitors and equipment cases around them.
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Key figures

$46,553
Median earnings, four years after completing

Across 365 programs reporting

Source: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026)

$23,250
Median federal loan debt at completion

Across 324 programs reporting

Source: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026)

14,363
Awards conferred in a year

869 institutions in this field

Source: IPEDS, NCES (retrieved September 2026)

What’s inside this field

Programs grouped the way a student looks for them. A performance degree, a production degree and a music-technology degree are different courses with different outcomes; each group gathers every federal code a program of that kind is filed under.

Film & Video Production

455

programs →

Cinema & Media Studies

291

programs →

Documentary

26

programs →

Photography

285

programs →

Digital Media & Multimedia

501

programs →

Radio & Television

289

programs →

How the federal data files these programs

The Department of Education groups programs by CIP family for statistics, not for choosing a degree. Every figure on this site is reported at that level, so each table names the family a program is filed under.

How they are delivered

78Fully online
6Online or on campus
85Hybrid
1,292On campus
38Not reported
Programs available online (84) →On-campus programs (1,292) →

Delivery is reported to IPEDS by each institution, program by program and credential by credential. “Fully online” means the program can be completed entirely at a distance. “Online or on campus” means the school offers it both ways. “Hybrid” means part of it is online and none of it entirely. Where IPEDS has no program-level answer, the Scorecard’s field-level flag is used and the row says so.

What it costs, by credential

Median debt and median earnings by credential — Film and Video
Median debt at completionMedian earnings, 4 yrs after
$0$25k$50k$75kCertificateCertificate — median debt $9,500Certificate — median earnings $33,954$9,500$33,954AssociateAssociate — median debt $17,474Associate — median earnings $35,373$17,474$35,373Bachelor’sBachelor’s — median debt $23,000Bachelor’s — median earnings $46,801$23,000$46,801Master’sMaster’s — median debt $61,500Master’s — median earnings $59,583$61,500$59,583
Median debt and median earnings by credential — Film and Video
FieldMedian debt at completionMedian earnings four years after completing
Certificate$9,500$33,954
Associate$17,474$35,373
Bachelor’s$23,000$46,801
Master’s$61,500$59,583

Source: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026)

Tuition is the published annual in-state figure. Debt is the median federal loan balance students actually carry at completion — a truer measure of cost than sticker price, because it accounts for aid.

Median tuition, debt and earnings by credential level for Film and Video
CredentialProgramsAnnual tuitionpublished, in-stateMedian graduate debtat completionMedian graduate earnings4 yrs after
Undergraduate certificate317$4,224$9,500$33,954
Associate degree297$3,072$17,474$35,373
Bachelor’s degree677$26,684$23,000$46,801
Master’s degree208$27,024$61,500$59,583

Programs with too few completers are suppressed by the Scorecard for privacy and are excluded from these medians.

Sources: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026); IPEDS, NCES (retrieved September 2026)

How we are paid: StudyCreative earns revenue when readers ask to be connected with a school. No school pays to appear in these figures, to change them, or to be left out of them. Full disclosure.

Every film and video program, plotted

One dot per program. Anything above the dashed line leaves graduates owing more in federal loans than they earn in a year. The spread inside a single field is wider than the gap between fields — which is why picking the program matters more than picking the subject.

Median graduate debt against median graduate earnings, Film and Video
Public and private nonprofitPrivate for-profitDashed line: debt equals one year of earnings
$0$20k$40k$60k$80k$100k$120k$140k$160k$180k$0$40k$80k$120kTemple University — Radio and Television, Master’s degree. Debt $41,000, earnings $118,378.Northwestern University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Master’s degree. Debt $37,695, earnings $116,019.University of Washington-Seattle Campus — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Master’s degree. Debt $53,656, earnings $112,401.Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,840, earnings $99,915.Rochester Institute of Technology — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $91,222.Georgetown University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Master’s degree. Debt $74,237, earnings $88,001.Michigan State University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Master’s degree. Debt $32,500, earnings $86,080.Fordham University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,250, earnings $84,366.University of California-Berkeley — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Master’s degree. Debt $67,334, earnings $83,157.Miami University-Oxford — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,681, earnings $82,411.The New School — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Master’s degree. Debt $48,899, earnings $81,832.Savannah College of Art and Design — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Master’s degree. Debt $65,832, earnings $81,814.CUNY Graduate School and University Center — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Master’s degree. Debt $38,398, earnings $80,809.Quinnipiac University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Master’s degree. Debt $33,381, earnings $80,508.New York University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Master’s degree. Debt $64,329, earnings $77,975.New York University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,500, earnings $77,109.American University — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Master’s degree. Debt $66,504, earnings $76,808.University of Georgia — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Undergraduate certificate. Debt $20,713, earnings $73,835.Boston University — Radio and Television, Master’s degree. Debt $68,910, earnings $71,972.University of California-Berkeley — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $15,000, earnings $70,963.Syracuse University — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,406, earnings $70,815.University of Mississippi — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,510, earnings $69,082.Loyola University Chicago — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Master’s degree. Debt $42,384, earnings $67,635.Seton Hall University — Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,058, earnings $67,192.Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,250, earnings $66,876.Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,250, earnings $66,876.Pennsylvania State University-World Campus — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,250, earnings $66,876.CUNY Brooklyn College — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Master’s degree. Debt $61,500, earnings $66,636.Chapman University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $18,500, earnings $66,494.University of Connecticut — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,375, earnings $65,892.The University of Texas at Austin — Radio and Television, Master’s degree. Debt $52,607, earnings $65,121.Syracuse University — Radio and Television, Master’s degree. Debt $44,559, earnings $65,092.Savannah College of Art and Design — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,506, earnings $64,076.The New School — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,875, earnings $64,018.Rutgers University-New Brunswick — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,250, earnings $63,679.Rutgers University-Newark — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,250, earnings $63,679.Lebanon Valley College — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $63,128.Montclair State University — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,500, earnings $62,999.Seattle University — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,800, earnings $62,385.University of Florida — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $15,000, earnings $62,227.University of Florida-Online — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $15,000, earnings $62,227.University of South Carolina-Columbia — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,500, earnings $62,214.University of Miami — Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,250, earnings $62,053.Texas Christian University — Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,000, earnings $61,636.Loyola Marymount University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,625, earnings $61,500.Texas A & M University-College Station — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $16,263, earnings $61,478.Xavier University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $61,035.Seattle University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $17,463, earnings $61,021.Florida State University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $17,750, earnings $60,876.Elon University — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,500, earnings $60,832.Elon University — Radio and Television, Master’s degree. Debt $58,814, earnings $59,583.Arizona State University Campus Immersion — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,832, earnings $58,974.Arizona State University Digital Immersion — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,832, earnings $58,974.Ithaca College — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,375, earnings $58,804.Liberty University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Master’s degree. Debt $27,333, earnings $58,750.New York University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,500, earnings $58,720.University of Southern California — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,500, earnings $58,623.San Francisco State University — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $17,500, earnings $58,550.University of California-Davis — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $17,500, earnings $57,999.Washington State University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,365, earnings $57,956.University of Michigan-Ann Arbor — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,024, earnings $57,059.Regent University — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Master’s degree. Debt $55,672, earnings $57,017.Hofstra University — Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,873, earnings $56,990.Columbia University in the City of New York — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Master’s degree. Debt $163,605, earnings $56,444.California Institute of the Arts — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Master’s degree. Debt $96,000, earnings $56,207.The University of Alabama — Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,875, earnings $55,894.Boston University — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,167, earnings $55,804.St Bonaventure University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,750, earnings $55,796.Loyola Marymount University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Master’s degree. Debt $120,626, earnings $55,619.Pepperdine University — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,125, earnings $55,432.Southeastern University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,250, earnings $55,318.Marymount Manhattan College — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,851, earnings $55,285.Appalachian State University — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,500, earnings $55,235.Fordham University — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,000, earnings $54,738.University of Missouri-Columbia — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Undergraduate certificate. Debt $20,000, earnings $54,680.Columbia College Chicago — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,400, earnings $54,357.Syracuse University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,875, earnings $54,115.Wheaton College (Massachusetts) — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,250, earnings $54,106.Savannah College of Art and Design — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Master’s degree. Debt $95,380, earnings $53,996.Temple University — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,000, earnings $53,818.Brigham Young University — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $11,894, earnings $53,695.University of California-Los Angeles — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Master’s degree. Debt $92,809, earnings $53,630.Saint Edward's University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,000, earnings $53,473.Columbia College Chicago — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Master’s degree. Debt $83,900, earnings $53,147.Rochester Institute of Technology — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $52,970.The University of Texas at Austin — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,500, earnings $52,860.Oregon State University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,127, earnings $52,798.University of California-Riverside — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,472, earnings $52,699.American University — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,000, earnings $52,661.Pace University — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,313, earnings $52,368.University of North Carolina School of the Arts — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Master’s degree. Debt $41,000, earnings $52,310.Purdue University-Main Campus — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $17,369, earnings $52,105.Quinnipiac University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,250, earnings $52,094.University of Miami — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $17,500, earnings $52,032.University of Southern California — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Master’s degree. Debt $167,503, earnings $51,931.Bowling Green State University-Main Campus — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $51,758.Georgia Southern University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,541, earnings $51,581.Northwestern University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $15,000, earnings $51,471.University of California-Irvine — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $16,000, earnings $51,423.CUNY Brooklyn College — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $10,588, earnings $51,404.Purdue University Global — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $30,582, earnings $51,391.Rhode Island School of Design — Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $51,278.Texas Southern University — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $29,738, earnings $51,195.Massachusetts College of Art and Design — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,000, earnings $51,139.University of California-Los Angeles — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $16,082, earnings $50,904.Chapman University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Master’s degree. Debt $144,710, earnings $50,895.Liberty University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,707, earnings $50,891.Southern New Hampshire University — Photography, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,834, earnings $50,871.Montclair State University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $50,790.University of Northwestern-St Paul — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,399, earnings $50,708.Ohio State University-Main Campus — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,687, earnings $50,565.University of Oregon — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,500, earnings $50,499.Woodbury University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $50,387.Central Washington University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,250, earnings $50,318.Texas Tech University — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,250, earnings $50,279.Northern Arizona University — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,125, earnings $50,233.George Mason University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,205, earnings $50,086.George Fox University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,840, earnings $50,003.Texas State University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,964, earnings $49,987.Emerson College — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,250, earnings $49,951.Point Park University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $49,951.Art Center College of Design — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $28,750, earnings $49,933.University of Idaho — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,468, earnings $49,929.University of California-Santa Barbara — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $15,000, earnings $49,893.University of Utah — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,000, earnings $49,841.University of Northern Iowa — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $18,625, earnings $49,794.Arizona State University Campus Immersion — Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,250, earnings $49,759.Arizona State University Digital Immersion — Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,250, earnings $49,759.University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,250, earnings $49,639.University of Baltimore — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,750, earnings $49,445.Eastern Michigan University — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $49,388.California State University-Northridge — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $14,244, earnings $49,359.University of Missouri-Columbia — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,500, earnings $49,192.Kutztown University of Pennsylvania — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,350, earnings $49,132.Northern Arizona University — Photography, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,819, earnings $48,800.University of Central Florida — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $17,992, earnings $48,753.The New School — Photography, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,000, earnings $48,557.State University of New York at Oswego — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,500, earnings $48,489.Loyola University Chicago — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,500, earnings $48,479.Ohio University-Main Campus — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,654, earnings $48,390.California State University-Fullerton — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $16,500, earnings $48,094.University of Iowa — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,116, earnings $47,892.Cedarville University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $15,000, earnings $47,782.Ball State University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,146, earnings $47,737.Kennesaw State University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,500, earnings $47,723.University of Minnesota-Twin Cities — Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,185, earnings $47,707.Florida Atlantic University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $16,000, earnings $47,505.State University of New York at New Paltz — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,332, earnings $47,453.University of Maine — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,000, earnings $47,421.Evangel University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,275, earnings $47,415.CUNY City College — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Master’s degree. Debt $41,000, earnings $47,282.New York University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Master’s degree. Debt $168,162, earnings $47,221.San Francisco State University — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $17,375, earnings $47,149.Mount Saint Mary's University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,188, earnings $47,091.DePaul University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,000, earnings $46,969.Western Illinois University — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,161, earnings $46,966.Central Michigan University — Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $46,942.Pratt Institute-Main — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,596, earnings $46,874.DeSales University — Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,875, earnings $46,847.Dallas Baptist University — Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,883, earnings $46,723.DePaul University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Master’s degree. Debt $72,729, earnings $46,553.Indiana University-Indianapolis — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,491, earnings $46,473.California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,100, earnings $46,245.Florida State University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,538, earnings $46,180.Huntington University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,996, earnings $46,073.Asbury University — Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,289, earnings $46,016.Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,000, earnings $45,958.North Central College — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $45,838.University of California-Santa Cruz — Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $15,692, earnings $45,815.SUNY at Fredonia — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $45,784.University of Akron Main Campus — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $45,739.University of Georgia — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $18,250, earnings $45,555.Lesley University — Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,974, earnings $45,508.Keene State College — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $45,423.Western Michigan University — Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $45,391.Montana State University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,125, earnings $45,300.Central Washington University — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,118, earnings $45,152.SUNY College at Plattsburgh — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,375, earnings $45,121.University of Rhode Island — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,500, earnings $44,983.Troy University — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,000, earnings $44,859.Ithaca College — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,899, earnings $44,829.University of Hartford — Photography, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $44,550.University of Kentucky — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,750, earnings $44,333.Florida State University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Master’s degree. Debt $61,500, earnings $44,277.University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $44,232.University of Arizona — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,500, earnings $44,145.CUNY Brooklyn College — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $13,500, earnings $44,032.Western Carolina University — Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,000, earnings $43,954.Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,250, earnings $43,919.University of Valley Forge — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $43,724.Columbus College of Art & Design — Photography, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $43,661.University of Cincinnati-Main Campus — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,000, earnings $43,570.San Diego State University — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $15,332, earnings $43,485.University of Central Missouri — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,500, earnings $43,463.Florida Gulf Coast University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,500, earnings $43,420.University at Buffalo — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $18,861, earnings $43,285.SUNY at Purchase College — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,695, earnings $43,265.Western Connecticut State University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,000, earnings $43,257.Lee University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,725, earnings $43,241.Maryland Institute College of Art — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $43,227.Oakland University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $43,186.Liberty University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,500, earnings $43,025.American Film Institute Conservatory — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Master’s degree. Debt $164,727, earnings $43,012.Grand Valley State University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $43,011.Drexel University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,239, earnings $42,980.Vassar College — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $17,993, earnings $42,956.Towson University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,000, earnings $42,584.Wayne State University — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $30,500, earnings $42,551.Temple University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,500, earnings $42,526.Georgia State University — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,974, earnings $42,457.California State University-Sacramento — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $15,568, earnings $42,392.University of Nevada-Las Vegas — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $17,500, earnings $42,317.Southern Illinois University-Carbondale — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,747, earnings $42,113.The University of Tampa — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,500, earnings $42,090.Belmont University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,500, earnings $42,033.Bradley University — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $42,006.Rogers State University — Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,000, earnings $41,994.Kent State University at Kent — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,500, earnings $41,900.Western Kentucky University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,044, earnings $41,791.Point Park University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $41,751.Savannah College of Art and Design — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,905, earnings $41,651.Portland State University — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,250, earnings $41,639.Youngstown State University — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $41,630.Eastern Kentucky University — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,853, earnings $41,368.University of Central Florida — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,839, earnings $41,255.Columbia College Chicago — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,000, earnings $41,200.University of Kansas — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,000, earnings $41,191.Ringling College of Art and Design — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $41,024.University of North Carolina School of the Arts — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,139, earnings $41,000.University of North Texas — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $18,681, earnings $40,972.University of South Carolina-Columbia — Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,500, earnings $40,962.Arkansas State University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,000, earnings $40,961.Southern Illinois University-Carbondale — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $18,525, earnings $40,592.University of Houston — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $18,730, earnings $40,419.California College of ASU — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,666, earnings $40,359.West Texas A & M University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $16,757, earnings $40,183.University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,063, earnings $40,097.California State University-Monterey Bay — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $15,250, earnings $39,954.California State University-Los Angeles — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $16,000, earnings $39,867.University of Colorado Boulder — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,500, earnings $39,720.Bowling Green State University-Main Campus — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $39,707.Texas State University — Photography, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,239, earnings $39,473.Lynn University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,500, earnings $39,215.Canisius University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,250, earnings $39,148.Grand Valley State University — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,499, earnings $39,082.Stevenson University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $38,813.State University of New York at Oswego — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,500, earnings $38,429.Virginia Commonwealth University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,125, earnings $37,958.New Mexico State University-Main Campus — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $16,250, earnings $37,880.Cleveland State University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $37,745.Community College of Aurora — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Associate degree. Debt $18,114, earnings $37,661.University of North Georgia — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,074, earnings $37,608.University of Central Arkansas — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,500, earnings $37,484.Middle Tennessee State University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $18,797, earnings $37,274.Austin Community College District — Radio and Television, Associate degree. Debt $9,250, earnings $37,248.University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,906, earnings $37,066.John Brown University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,500, earnings $36,796.Indiana University-South Bend — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $18,062, earnings $36,711.Lincoln University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $36,544.Clayton State University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,840, earnings $36,510.Minnesota State University Moorhead — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,000, earnings $36,495.The University of Texas at El Paso — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,750, earnings $36,373.California State University-Dominguez Hills — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $12,969, earnings $36,326.The University of Montana — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,011, earnings $36,169.Champlain College — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $35,945.College for Creative Studies — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $35,797.Webster University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,475, earnings $35,407.Wayne State University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,400, earnings $35,157.Wright State University-Main Campus — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $34,673.Clark Atlanta University — Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $34,335.Kansas City Art Institute — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $34,253.University of North Carolina Wilmington — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,500, earnings $34,184.Daytona State College — Photography, Associate degree. Debt $9,188, earnings $34,180.Valencia College — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Associate degree. Debt $13,829, earnings $33,162.California College of ASU — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Associate degree. Debt $16,833, earnings $32,033.University of the Arts — Photography, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $30,971.Southern New Hampshire University — Photography, Associate degree. Debt $16,260, earnings $30,298.California Institute of the Arts — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $29,426.Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $13,875, earnings $26,731.Universidad del Sagrado Corazon — Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $11,750, earnings $23,283.Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce — Radio and Television, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $15,400, earnings $22,355.Academy of Art University — Photography, Master’s degree. Debt $113,213, earnings $58,879.Academy of Art University — Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,473, earnings $54,087.Academy of Art University — Photography, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $33,812, earnings $46,726.Grand Canyon University — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,068, earnings $43,469.Academy of Art University — Photography, Associate degree. Debt $32,187, earnings $42,221.School of Visual Arts — Photography, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $41,271.Seattle Film Institute — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $12,000, earnings $39,976.School of Visual Arts — Photography, Master’s degree. Debt $79,311, earnings $39,654.Full Sail University — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Master’s degree. Debt $54,395, earnings $39,171.New York Film Academy — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Master’s degree. Debt $127,588, earnings $38,915.Seattle Film Institute — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Undergraduate certificate. Debt $17,956, earnings $38,787.International College of Broadcasting — Radio and Television, Associate degree. Debt $25,667, earnings $36,490.Los Angeles Film School — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $38,500, earnings $35,151.Illinois Media School — Radio and Television, Undergraduate certificate. Debt $9,500, earnings $35,062.Illinois Media School-Chicago Campus — Radio and Television, Undergraduate certificate. Debt $9,500, earnings $35,062.Nashville Film Institute — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Undergraduate certificate. Debt $5,500, earnings $34,240.Florida Institute of Recording Sound and Technology — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Undergraduate certificate. Debt $7,853, earnings $33,668.Full Sail University — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,923, earnings $33,579.Ohio Media School-Valley View — Radio and Television, Undergraduate certificate. Debt $9,500, earnings $31,878.Colorado Media School — Radio and Television, Undergraduate certificate. Debt $9,500, earnings $31,878.Ohio Media School-Columbus — Radio and Television, Undergraduate certificate. Debt $9,500, earnings $31,878.New York Film Academy — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Undergraduate certificate. Debt $9,500, earnings $31,769.Los Angeles Film School — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Associate degree. Debt $20,000, earnings $29,061.New York Film Academy — Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $30,750, earnings $28,275.Ohio Media School-Cincinnati — Radio and Television, Undergraduate certificate. Debt $9,500, earnings $27,726.Miami Media School — Radio and Television, Undergraduate certificate. Debt $9,500, earnings $27,726.Full Sail University — Film/Cinema/Media Studies, Associate degree. Debt $20,000, earnings $24,816.Median graduate earnings, four years after completingMedian graduate debt

308 programs reporting both figures. 18 of the plotted programs sit above the dashed line, where graduates owe more than they earn in a year. 27 are private for-profit.

Source: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026)

Individual programs

The last column is debt as a share of first-reported earnings. Above 100% means graduates owe more than they make in a year.

Debt and earnings for individual Film and Video programs
InstitutionFieldand deliveryMedian graduate debtMedian graduate earnings4 yrs afterDebt to earnings
Temple UniversityMaster’s degree · PARadio and TelevisionMaster’s degree · Hybrid$41,000$118,37835%
Northwestern UniversityMaster’s degree · ILDigital Communication and Media/MultimediaMaster’s degree · Hybrid$37,695$116,01932%
University of Washington-Seattle CampusMaster’s degree · WADigital Communication and Media/MultimediaMaster’s degree · On campus$53,656$112,40148%
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusBachelor’s degree · GADigital Communication and Media/MultimediaBachelor’s degree · On campusOffers: Computer Science (BS) · Computational Media (BS) · Digital Media (MS)$27,840$99,91528%
Rochester Institute of TechnologyBachelor’s degree · NYDigital Communication and Media/MultimediaBachelor’s degree · On campusOffers: Game Design and Development (BS) · Game Design and Development (MS) · Film and Animation (BFA) · Motion Picture Science (BS) · 3D Visualization (Digital Design) (BFA) · New Media Design (BFA) · Graphic Design (BFA)$27,000$91,22230%
Georgetown UniversityMaster’s degree · DCDigital Communication and Media/MultimediaMaster’s degree · On campus$74,237$88,00184%
Michigan State UniversityMaster’s degree · MIDigital Communication and Media/MultimediaMaster’s degree · Fully online$32,500$86,08038%
Fordham UniversityBachelor’s degree · NYDigital Communication and Media/MultimediaBachelor’s degree · On campus$22,250$84,36626%

Source: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026)

Find a program by field, delivery and credential →Best value Film and Video programs →Full cost breakdown →

Paths in

Routes into Film and Video, with typical length
RouteTypical lengthWho it suits
Bachelor’s degree4 yearsCrew networks and equipment access build here
Associate degree2 yearsTechnical roles in post and camera departments
Certificate6–12 monthsSpecializing in edit, colour, or sound
Set experienceOpenThe traditional route; unpaid at the start

Source: StudyCreative editorial — route framing is our own; costs and earnings above are federal

What the work actually is

Film sets are crewed by the day. Entry level is production assistant work, at or near minimum wage for twelve-hour days, and it is found through people rather than postings. Editing and post-production are steadier and increasingly remote, but assistant editors start on hourly rates as well. Union membership, where it applies, is what moves pay materially, and it is earned through days worked, not through a degree.

The credential buys equipment access, a first reel, and a cohort that becomes the crew list you hire from for years. That is real. It does not buy the first job and it does not shorten the years of assistant work between the first job and a living. Weigh the debt against a production assistant's pay for the first two of those years.

Where these graduates work

The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage and employment figures for the occupations this field feeds into. We link rather than quote, because occupational averages cover everyone in a role — not only people who took this route.

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