Home Schools Fordham University Film & Photography
Visual & Performing Arts · Film & Photography Rank #29 of 140

Film & Photographyat Fordham University

Graduates earn $36,704/yr in their first year — about 42.0% above the national Film & Photography average. Base-case 10-year earnings $466K; scenarios range from $440K to $463K depending on AI disruption.

Bronx, NY Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
27 AT RISK
28
Optimistic
20
Pessimistic
Earnings
$36,704
1-year post-graduation
ROI
0.5x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$466K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
47% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Fordham University

Fordham's Film/Video and Photographic Arts program leverages its unparalleled New York City location to propel graduates into higher-earning roles. You're situated directly within a global media hub, offering incredible access to internships, networking, and entry-level positions at major production companies, advertising agencies, and post-production studios. This immediate immersion in a demanding, high-wage market, combined with Fordham's academic rigor and alumni network, helps explain the strong salary outcomes.

Your career path will likely involve project-based work, requiring a strong portfolio and continuous skill development. While the field faces high AI risk, focusing on creative direction, storytelling, and strategic production management—roles less susceptible to automation—will be key. Leverage every opportunity to intern and build connections; your network will be as crucial as your technical skills in navigating this dynamic industry.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$440K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score20/100
Earnings Multiple1.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$466K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score27/100
Earnings Multiple1.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$463K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score28/100
Earnings Multiple1.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Fordham University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Film & Photography graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Producers and directors
+4.9% 10-yr growth · 12,800 openings/yr
$83,480/yr
Moderate
2
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 9,000 openings/yr
$80,190/yr
Moderate
3
Communications teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 2,700 openings/yr
$77,800/yr
Moderate
4
Film and video editors
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 3,600 openings/yr
$70,980/yr
High
5
Camera operators, television, video, and film
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 2,900 openings/yr
$68,810/yr
Moderate
6
Photographers
+1.8% 10-yr growth · 12,700 openings/yr
$42,520/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Film & Photography

How Fordham University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Tufts University
MA · Private nonprofit
36
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
1.1x
ROI
Top score
Kennesaw State University
GA · Public
50
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
21.4x
ROI
Utah Valley University
UT · Public
44
DW Score
$42K
1-yr earn
15.7x
ROI
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
NJ · Public
33
DW Score
$39K
1-yr earn
4.6x
ROI
Rutgers University-Newark
NJ · Public
34
DW Score
$39K
1-yr earn
4.8x
ROI
Also at Fordham University

Other top programs at Fordham University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Fordham University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Film & Photography offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Film & Photography trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Film & Photography at Fordham University

How does Fordham University's Film & Photography program score?

This program scores 27/100 — on the lower end for Film & Photography. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

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.

Why does Fordham University rank so high for Film & Photography?

The #29 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.