Film & Photography at Montana State University
Bozeman, MT · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Film/Video and Photographic Arts
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
31
Optimistic
30
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings
$29,608/yr (14% vs median)
AI Risk
High (44% exposed)
Job Market
Large (43,700 openings/yr)
ROI
14.7x earnings multiple (3.8x 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 | $472K | $474K | $446K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 14.6x | 14.7x | 13.8x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.8x | 3.8x | 3.6x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 41% | 37% | 28% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 31 | 30 | 24 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,332
Out-of-state: $125,348 (3.8x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,125
9.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,239
39% growth from Year 1
About Montana State University
With 87% of applicants admitted, Montana State University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 14,472 students in Bozeman, MT.
See all programs and financial aid at Montana State 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
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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 Montana State University's Film & Photography program score?
This program scores 30/100 — 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 Montana State University rank so high for Film & Photography?
The #19 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →