Film & Photography at Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Film/Video and Photographic Arts
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
16
Optimistic
16
Base Case
13
Pessimistic
Earnings
$22,011/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk
High (44% exposed)
Job Market
Large (43,700 openings/yr)
ROI
7.1x earnings multiple (4.5x 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 | $409K | $417K | $402K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 7.0x | 7.1x | 6.8x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.4x | 4.5x | 4.3x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 41% | 37% | 28% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 16 | 16 | 13 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$58,776
Out-of-state: $92,752 (4.5x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
14.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$27,634
26% growth from Year 1
About Oakland University
Oakland University has a 70% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 12,450 in Rochester Hills, MI.
See all programs and financial aid at Oakland 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 Oakland University
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Oakland University's Film & Photography program score?
This program scores 16/100 — on the lower end for Film & Photography. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Oakland University Film & Photography graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.2x 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.
Why are Film & Photography earnings lower at Oakland University?
Lower starting pay at Oakland University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →