Film/Video and Photographic Arts at University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
39
Optimistic
39
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,696/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (43,700 openings/yr)
ROI 11.5x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #4 of 140 Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs Top 5%

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 $646K $630K $567K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.7x 11.5x 10.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.6x 3.5x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 28%
DegreeOutlook Score 39 39 32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$54,988
Out-of-state: $178,096 (3.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,052
-2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,082
6.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,565
124% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,696 at University of California-Los Angeles come in 15% above the national median of $25,920 for Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs.

The 11.5x 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 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $16,082 debt-to-$29,696 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #4 out of 140 programs, University of California-Los Angeles's Film/Video and Photographic Arts program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $29,696 to $66,565 over five years (124% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-Los Angeles

University of California-Los Angeles's 9% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, with 33,040 students enrolled in Los Angeles, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Los Angeles →

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 University of California-Los Angeles

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 University of California-Los Angeles's Film/Video and Photographic Arts program score?
This program scores 39/100 — 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 University of California-Los Angeles rank so high for Film/Video and Photographic Arts?
The #4 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 →