Home Schools Vassar College Film & Photography
Visual & Performing Arts · Film & Photography Rank #94 of 140

Film & Photographyat Vassar College

Graduates earn $28,028/yr in their first year — about 8.0% above the national Film & Photography average. Base-case 10-year earnings $628K; scenarios range from $565K to $643K depending on AI disruption.

Poughkeepsie, NY Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
19 AT RISK
19
Optimistic
13
Pessimistic
Earnings
$28,028
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.4x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$628K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
47% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Vassar College

Your Vassar Film/Video and Photographic Arts degree provides a strong foundation in critical theory and creative practice, characteristic of an elite liberal arts education. This isn't a vocational program designed for immediate, high-paying technical roles; rather, it cultivates a broad skillset that graduates leverage across diverse fields. You'll often find Vassar alumni connecting to roles in New York City's extensive media landscape – from independent film and television production to gallery work, advertising, or even higher education. The program's proximity to NYC offers crucial internship and networking opportunities, where the Vassar name and alumni network can significantly open doors. Given the high AI risk in many creative fields, focus on developing adaptable, visionary skills and a strong, diverse portfolio that showcases your unique creative voice.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$565K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score13/100
Earnings Multiple2.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$628K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score19/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$643K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score19/100
Earnings Multiple2.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Vassar College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Film & Photography graduates typically work

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.

1
Producers and directors
+4.9% 10-yr growth · 12,800 openings/yr
$83,480/yr
Moderate
2
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 9,000 openings/yr
$80,190/yr
Moderate
3
Communications teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 2,700 openings/yr
$77,800/yr
Moderate
4
Film and video editors
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 3,600 openings/yr
$70,980/yr
High
5
Camera operators, television, video, and film
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 2,900 openings/yr
$68,810/yr
Moderate
6
Photographers
+1.8% 10-yr growth · 12,700 openings/yr
$42,520/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Film & Photography

How Vassar College stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Tufts University
MA · Private nonprofit
36
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
1.1x
ROI
Top score
Kennesaw State University
GA · Public
50
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
21.4x
ROI
Utah Valley University
UT · Public
44
DW Score
$42K
1-yr earn
15.7x
ROI
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
NJ · Public
33
DW Score
$39K
1-yr earn
4.6x
ROI
Rutgers University-Newark
NJ · Public
34
DW Score
$39K
1-yr earn
4.8x
ROI
Also at Vassar College

Other top programs at Vassar College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Vassar College, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Film & Photography at Vassar College

What does a 19/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Film & Photography at Vassar College?

At 19/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Film & Photography programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Film & Photography at Vassar College?

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.