Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Grand Valley State University

Allendale, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
21 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
22
Optimistic
21
Base Case
17
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,256/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (43,700 openings/yr)
ROI 8.3x earnings multiple (5.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #81 of 140 Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs

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 $482K $483K $453K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.2x 8.3x 7.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.8x 5.8x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 28%
DegreeOutlook Score 22 21 17

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$58,512
Out-of-state: $83,280 (5.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$68,384
-17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,499
11.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,264
63% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Grand Valley State University's Film/Video and Photographic Arts program produces graduates earning $25,256/yr — within striking distance of the $25,920 national average for this field.

At 8.3x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 44% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,499 debt-to-$25,256 income ratio translates to about 12 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #81 out of 140 programs, Grand Valley State University's financial outcomes for Film/Video and Photographic Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $25,256 to $41,264 over five years (63% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Grand Valley State University

A 95% acceptance rate means Grand Valley State University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 19,073 in Allendale, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Grand Valley State University →

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

Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Grand Valley State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Grand Valley State University's Film/Video and Photographic Arts program score?
This program scores 21/100 — on the lower end for Film/Video and Photographic Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Film/Video and Photographic Arts to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Film/Video and Photographic Arts careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 44% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →