Film & Photography at University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Film/Video and Photographic Arts
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
21
Optimistic
21
Base Case
18
Pessimistic
Earnings
$21,397/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk
High (44% exposed)
Job Market
Large (43,700 openings/yr)
ROI
9.1x earnings multiple (2.9x 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 | $520K | $517K | $479K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 9.1x | 9.1x | 8.4x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 2.9x | 2.9x | 2.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 41% | 37% | 28% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 21 | 21 | 18 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,948
Out-of-state: $180,056 (2.9x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,000
9.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,541
108% growth from Year 1
About University of California-Irvine
Admission to University of California-Irvine is competitive, with 26% of applicants accepted, with 29,494 students enrolled in Irvine, CA.
See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Irvine →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 University of California-Irvine
Consider the Trade Route?
Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does University of California-Irvine's Film & Photography program score?
This program scores 21/100 — 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 are Film & Photography earnings lower at University of California-Irvine?
Lower starting pay at University of California-Irvine 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 →