Film/Video and Photographic Arts at The New School

New York, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
13 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
13
Optimistic
13
Base Case
10
Pessimistic
Earnings $21,523/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (43,700 openings/yr)
ROI 2.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #130 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 $592K $582K $530K
Earnings Multiple 2.6x 2.6x 2.3x
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)
$225,544
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$221,436
2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
13.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,471
148% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $21,523/yr fall 17% below the $25,920 national median for Film/Video and Photographic Arts. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

An earnings multiple of 2.6x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 44% task exposure — and the 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $25,000 debt load exceeds a year of the $21,523 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #130 out of 140 programs, The New School's financial outcomes for Film/Video and Photographic Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $21,523 to $53,471 over five years (148% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About The New School

With a 63% acceptance rate, The New School is moderately selective, with a mid-sized student body of 6,819 in New York, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at The New School →

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 The New School

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does The New School's Film/Video and Photographic Arts program score?
This program scores 13/100 — on the lower end for Film/Video and Photographic Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do The New School Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.2x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
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 are Film/Video and Photographic Arts earnings lower at The New School?
Lower starting pay at The New School may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →