Film & Photography at Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Film/Video and Photographic Arts
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
14
Optimistic
14
Base Case
10
Pessimistic
Earnings
$23,905/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk
High (44% exposed)
Job Market
Large (43,700 openings/yr)
ROI
3.5x earnings multiple
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Film & Photography graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $456K | $460K | $435K |
| Earnings Multiple | 3.5x | 3.5x | 3.3x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 41% | 37% | 28% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 14 | 14 | 10 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$130,080
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
12.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,486
53% growth from Year 1
About Columbia College Chicago
With 91% of applicants admitted, Columbia College Chicago prioritizes broad access, enrolling 6,294 students in Chicago, IL. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.
See all programs and financial aid at Columbia College Chicago →Top Career Paths
Producers and directors
$83,480/yr
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
$80,190/yr
Communications teachers, postsecondary
$77,800/yr
Compare & Explore
Film & Photography at Other Schools
Other Majors at Columbia College Chicago
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 Columbia College Chicago's Film & Photography program score?
This program scores 14/100 — on the lower end for Film & Photography. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Columbia College Chicago Film & Photography graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.0x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is Film & Photography to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Film & Photography 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →