Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Kansas City Art Institute

Kansas City, MO · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
13 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
13
Optimistic
13
Base Case
10
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,619/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (43,700 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #128 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 $506K $505K $470K
Earnings Multiple 2.9x 2.9x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 28%
DegreeOutlook Score 13 13 10

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$174,200
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$118,220
32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
14.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,448
92% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $22,619/yr, roughly in line with the $25,920 national median for Film/Video and Photographic Arts. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The financial case is thin at 2.9x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Film/Video and Photographic Arts's typical career paths, with 44% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 against $22,619/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.2 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #128 of 140 Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs, Kansas City Art Institute falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $43,448 show a 92% jump from the $22,619 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Kansas City Art Institute

A 60% admission rate makes Kansas City Art Institute accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a smaller student body of 782 in Kansas City, MO. 42% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $118,220 — 32% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Kansas City Art Institute →

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 Kansas City Art Institute

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Kansas City Art Institute?
A score of 13/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Film/Video and Photographic Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Kansas City Art Institute worth the student debt?
Median debt of $27,000 against $22,619/yr starting salary means roughly 1.2 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
Will AI replace Film/Video and Photographic Arts careers?
With 44% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $469,752 in decade earnings vs $505,906 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →