Film & Photographyat University of California-Los Angeles
Graduates earn $29,696/yr in their first year — about 15.0% above the national Film & Photography average. Base-case 10-year earnings $630K; scenarios range from $567K to $646K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UCLA
Your strong earnings performance reflects the immense value of attending a prestigious program like UCLA's Film/Video and Photographic Arts, directly within the global epicenter of entertainment. This unparalleled location provides a direct pipeline to internships, mentors, and entry-level roles at major studios, independent production companies, and post-production houses, giving you a significant head start over graduates from programs elsewhere. Many graduates quickly find work as production assistants, assistant editors, or begin building their own independent projects, leveraging the vast alumni network. The "high AI risk" score isn't a deterrent, but a signal: AI is rapidly transforming tasks like editing, effects, and even script analysis. To truly thrive, focus on developing a distinctive creative vision, mastering emerging technologies, and actively building your professional network from day one. This proactive approach will be your strongest asset in navigating an evolving industry.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UCLA's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Film & Photography
How UCLA stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UCLA
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UCLA, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Film & Photography offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Film & Photography trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Film & Photography at UCLA
How does University of California-Los Angeles's Film & Photography program score?
This program scores 39/100 — 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 does University of California-Los Angeles rank so high for Film & Photography?
The #4 ranking out of 140 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.