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Film/Video and Photographic Arts at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Arcata, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
21 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
21
Optimistic
21
Base Case
18
Pessimistic
Earnings $19,107/yr (-26% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (43,700 openings/yr)
ROI 12.4x earnings multiple (5.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #74 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 $381K $392K $383K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.0x 12.4x 12.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.8x 5.0x 4.8x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 28%
DegreeOutlook Score 21 21 18

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$31,652
Out-of-state: $79,172 (5.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$52,668
-66% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,100
13.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $19,107/yr fall 26% below the $25,920 national median for Film/Video and Photographic Arts. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs nationally.

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 -0% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,100 against $19,107/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 #74 of 140 Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a 99% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 5,491 students in Arcata, CA. With 46% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt →

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

Compare this program → View all 140 schools offering Film/Video and Photographic Arts →

Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Other Schools

Tufts University ($56,418) Kennesaw State University ($51,772) Utah Valley University ($41,833) Rutgers University-New Brunswick ($38,508) Rutgers University-Newark ($38,508) Fordham University ($36,704) Chapman University ($35,795) University of Miami ($35,485)

Other Majors at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($55,589) Forestry ($52,810) Plant Sciences ($44,038) Computer Science ($37,153) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($36,586) Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics ($36,444) Political Science and Government ($36,079) Social Work ($35,693)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Film/Video and Photographic Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
A score of 21/100 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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt worth the student debt?
Median debt of $22,100 against $19,107/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 $382,507 in decade earnings vs $380,741 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Film/Video and Photographic Arts from California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →