Film/Video and Photographic Arts at College for Creative Studies

Detroit, MI · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
13 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
13
Optimistic
13
Base Case
9
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,350/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (43,700 openings/yr)
ROI 2.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #127 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 $485K $485K $455K
Earnings Multiple 2.4x 2.4x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 28%
DegreeOutlook Score 13 13 9

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$205,420
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$133,368
35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
13.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,247
69% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $24,350/yr, Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduates from College for Creative Studies land near the $25,920 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The financial case is thin at 2.4x — 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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 against $24,350/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.

Ranked #127 of 140 Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs, College for Creative Studies falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $41,247 show a 69% jump from the $24,350 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About College for Creative Studies

With 93% of applicants admitted, College for Creative Studies prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 1,285 students in Detroit, MI. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $133,368 — 35% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at College for Creative Studies →

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 College for Creative Studies

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Film/Video and Photographic Arts at College for Creative Studies?
A score of 13/100 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 College for Creative Studies worth the student debt?
Median debt of $27,000 against $24,350/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 $454,883 in decade earnings vs $484,572 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →