Film/Video and Photographic Arts at University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
20 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
20
Optimistic
20
Base Case
17
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,601/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (43,700 openings/yr)
ROI 7.8x earnings multiple (3.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #84 of 140 Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs

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 $512K $510K $474K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.8x 7.8x 7.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.1x 3.0x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 28%
DegreeOutlook Score 20 20 17

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$65,720
Out-of-state: $167,772 (3.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$85,920
-31% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
10.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,272
96% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $22,601/yr, Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduates from University of Colorado Boulder land near the $25,920 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

At 7.8x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 44% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $19,500 debt-to-$22,601 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #84 out of 140 programs, University of Colorado Boulder's financial outcomes for Film/Video and Photographic Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $22,601 to $44,272 over five years (96% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Colorado Boulder

With 83% of applicants admitted, University of Colorado Boulder prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 31,578 in Boulder, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Colorado Boulder →

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

Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Colorado Boulder

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Colorado Boulder's Film/Video and Photographic Arts program score?
This program scores 20/100 — on the lower end for Film/Video and Photographic Arts. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Film/Video and Photographic Arts to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Film/Video and Photographic Arts 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 →