Film & Photography at George Mason University
Fairfax, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Film/Video and Photographic Arts
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
26
Optimistic
25
Base Case
21
Pessimistic
Earnings
$23,989/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk
High (44% exposed)
Job Market
Large (43,700 openings/yr)
ROI
9.8x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)
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 | $546K | $540K | $497K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 9.9x | 9.8x | 9.0x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.5x | 3.4x | 3.2x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 41% | 37% | 28% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 26 | 25 | 21 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$55,260
Out-of-state: $157,588 (3.4x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,205
11.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,691
107% growth from Year 1
About George Mason University
George Mason University has a 89% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 27,083 students enrolled in Fairfax, VA.
See all programs and financial aid at George Mason University →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 George Mason University
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 George Mason University's Film & Photography program score?
This program scores 25/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →