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Film/Video and Photographic Arts at University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
29 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
30
Optimistic
29
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,608/yr (10% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (43,700 openings/yr)
ROI 9.0x earnings multiple (3.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #21 of 140 Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $547K $541K $498K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.1x 9.0x 8.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.0x 3.0x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 28%
DegreeOutlook Score 30 29 24

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$59,860
Out-of-state: $182,968 (3.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,300
8% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
6.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,687
84% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $28,608/yr, edging above the $25,920 national average for Film/Video and Photographic Arts — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

A 9.0x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Film/Video and Photographic Arts career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $15,000 against $28,608/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

University of California-Santa Barbara ranks #21 among 140 Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $28,608-to-$52,687 earnings arc over five years reflects a 84% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of California-Santa Barbara

University of California-Santa Barbara admits 28% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, one of the larger campuses at 23,205 students in Santa Barbara, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Santa Barbara →

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

Compare this program → View all 140 schools offering Film/Video and Photographic Arts →

Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Other Schools

Tufts University ($56,418) Kennesaw State University ($51,772) Utah Valley University ($41,833) Rutgers University-New Brunswick ($38,508) Rutgers University-Newark ($38,508) Fordham University ($36,704) Chapman University ($35,795) University of Miami ($35,485)

Other Majors at University of California-Santa Barbara

Computer Science ($107,776) Computer Engineering ($91,387) Mechanical Engineering ($81,108) Chemical Engineering ($79,737) Economics ($66,334) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($66,099) Applied Mathematics ($59,638) Statistics ($55,110)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Film/Video and Photographic Arts trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 29/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Film/Video and Photographic Arts at University of California-Santa Barbara?
At 29/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Film/Video and Photographic Arts at University of California-Santa Barbara?
The 44% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is University of California-Santa Barbara one of the best schools for Film/Video and Photographic Arts?
Among 140 Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs, University of California-Santa Barbara's #21 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →