Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Oberlin College

Oberlin, OH · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
22 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
23
Optimistic
22
Base Case
19
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,519/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (43,700 openings/yr)
ROI 1.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #70 of 140 Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs Top 50%

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 $401K $411K $397K
Earnings Multiple 1.6x 1.6x 1.5x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 28%
DegreeOutlook Score 23 22 19

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$258,584
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$156,736
39% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,500
13.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $23,519 track close to the $25,920 national median for Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The financial case is thin at 1.6x — 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 1% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,500 against $23,519/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.1 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

At #70 of 140 Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs, Oberlin College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

About Oberlin College

Oberlin College admits 33% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, a smaller institution with 2,950 students in Oberlin, OH. After financial aid, the average student pays $156,736 over four years — 39% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Oberlin 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

Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Oberlin College

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Oberlin College?
A score of 22/100 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 Oberlin College worth the student debt?
Median debt of $25,500 against $23,519/yr starting salary means roughly 1.1 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 $396,934 in decade earnings vs $401,437 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →