Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, AZ · Public · Bachelor's Degree
23 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
24
Optimistic
23
Base Case
20
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,418/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (43,700 openings/yr)
ROI 10.2x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #52 of 140 Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs Top 50%

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 $518K $515K $478K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.2x 10.2x 9.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.5x 4.5x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 28%
DegreeOutlook Score 24 23 20

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,608
Out-of-state: $115,600 (4.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,688
-18% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,819
10.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,594
95% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $23,418 track close to the $25,920 national median for Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs nationally.

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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,819 represents roughly 10 months of the $23,418 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #52 of 140 Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs, Northern Arizona University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $45,594 show a 95% jump from the $23,418 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University has a 91% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving a student body of 23,041 in Flagstaff, AZ.

See all programs and financial aid at Northern Arizona 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
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Northern Arizona 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Northern Arizona University?
A score of 23/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Film/Video and Photographic Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $478,104 in decade earnings vs $517,890 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →