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Film/Video and Photographic Arts at CUNY City College

New York, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
34 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
34
Optimistic
34
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,918/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (43,700 openings/yr)
ROI 17.6x earnings multiple (8.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #8 of 140 Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs Top 10%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $520K $517K $480K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.7x 17.6x 16.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.5x 8.5x 7.8x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 28%
DegreeOutlook Score 34 34 29

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,360
Out-of-state: $61,160 (8.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$13,944
53% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,856
78% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

CUNY City College's Film/Video and Photographic Arts program produces graduates earning $26,918/yr — within striking distance of the $25,920 national average for this field.

With a 17.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Film/Video and Photographic Arts career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At #8 of 140 programs, this Film/Video and Photographic Arts program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The $26,918-to-$47,856 earnings arc over five years reflects a 78% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About CUNY City College

CUNY City College's 58% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 11,934 in New York, NY. With 60% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $13,944 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY City College →

Top Career Paths

Producers and directors $83,480/yr
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190/yr
Communications teachers, postsecondary $77,800/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 140 schools offering Film/Video and Photographic Arts →

Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Other Schools

Tufts University ($56,418) Kennesaw State University ($51,772) Utah Valley University ($41,833) Rutgers University-New Brunswick ($38,508) Rutgers University-Newark ($38,508) Fordham University ($36,704) Chapman University ($35,795) University of Miami ($35,485)

Compare Film/Video and Photographic Arts

CUNY City College vs Tufts University → CUNY City College vs Kennesaw State University → CUNY City College vs Utah Valley University → CUNY City College vs Rutgers University-New Brunswick → CUNY City College vs Rutgers University-Newark →

Other Majors at CUNY City College

Computer Science ($83,258) Computer Engineering ($78,326) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,172) Chemical Engineering ($67,450) Civil Engineering ($67,194) Mechanical Engineering ($65,905) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($62,945) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($56,711)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Film/Video and Photographic Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 34/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Film/Video and Photographic Arts at CUNY City College?
At 34/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Film/Video and Photographic Arts at CUNY City College?
The 44% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What do students actually pay for Film/Video and Photographic Arts at CUNY City College?
The 53% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $29,360. At a net cost of $13,944, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →