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Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Montana State University

Bozeman, MT · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $29,608/yr (14% vs median)

AI Risk High (44% exposed)

Job Market Large (43,700 openings/yr)

ROI 14.7x earnings multiple (3.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #19 of 140 Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs Top 25%

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	$472K	$474K	$446K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.6x	14.7x	13.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.8x	3.8x	3.6x
Probability of Field Employment	41%	37%	28%
DegreeOutlook Score	31	30	24

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$32,332

Out-of-state: $125,348 (3.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$82,372

-155% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,125

9.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$41,239

39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $29,608 per year, Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduates from Montana State University earn slightly above the $25,920 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 14.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 44% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,125 debt-to-$29,608 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #19 out of 140 programs, Montana State University's Film/Video and Photographic Arts program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $29,608 to $41,239 shows 39% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Montana State University

With 87% of applicants admitted, Montana State University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 14,472 students in Bozeman, MT.

See all programs and financial aid at Montana 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

Compare Film/Video and Photographic Arts

Other Majors at Montana State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

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

How does Montana State University's Film/Video and Photographic Arts program score?

This program scores 30/100 — 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.

Why does Montana State University rank so high for Film/Video and Photographic Arts?

The #19 ranking out of 140 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →