Film & Photography at University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Film/Video and Photographic Arts
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
31
Optimistic
31
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings
$26,630/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk
High (44% exposed)
Job Market
Large (43,700 openings/yr)
ROI
12.5x earnings multiple (4.4x 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 | $542K | $537K | $495K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 12.6x | 12.5x | 11.5x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.4x | 4.4x | 4.0x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 41% | 37% | 28% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 31 | 31 | 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)
$43,128
Out-of-state: $122,288 (4.4x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,861
8.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,882
91% growth from Year 1
About University at Buffalo
With a 69% acceptance rate, University at Buffalo is moderately selective, serving a student body of 20,284 in Buffalo, NY.
See all programs and financial aid at University at Buffalo →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 University at Buffalo's Film & Photography program score?
This program scores 31/100 — 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 →