Film & Photography at Rutgers University-New Brunswick

New Brunswick, NJ · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Film/Video and Photographic Arts
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
34
Optimistic
33
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,508/yr (49% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (43,700 openings/yr)
ROI 6.9x earnings multiple (3.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #9 of 140 Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs Top 10%

Program Analysis

Your strong early career earnings from this program are largely driven by Rutgers-New Brunswick's prime location, offering unparalleled access to the vast media and entertainment industry in nearby New York City. This isn't just about traditional film sets; it includes advertising agencies, corporate media departments, post-production houses, and burgeoning local studios in New Jersey, all actively recruiting talent. The program likely emphasizes practical skills and networking, directly feeding into these demanding but well-paying roles, especially in production, editing, and content creation for various platforms. While the creative industry constantly evolves, leading to a high AI risk for certain tasks, your unique artistic vision and ability to master new technologies will be invaluable. The key is to embrace new tools that automate routine tasks, freeing you to focus on higher-level creative direction and problem-solving. Leverage your proximity to NYC from day one: actively pursue internships, build a diverse portfolio, and cultivate a robust professional network to navigate this dynamic field effectively.

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) 6.8x 6.9x 6.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.3x 3.3x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 28%
DegreeOutlook Score 34 33 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$68,956
Out-of-state: $144,004 (3.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$94,076
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings

About Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Rutgers University-New Brunswick accepts 65% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 36,357 students in New Brunswick, NJ.

See all programs and financial aid at Rutgers University-New Brunswick →

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

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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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Film & Photography at Rutgers University-New Brunswick?
A score of 33/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Film & Photography. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Film & Photography careers?
With 44% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $445,946 in decade earnings vs $471,751 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →