Film/Video and Photographic Arts at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

With a first-year salary of just $19,107, this film program ranks in the bottom quarter even among California schools—a concerning start in a notoriously difficult field. While the debt load of $23,162 appears manageable on paper, it represents more than a full year's earnings for these graduates, who are making roughly $6,000 less than the typical California film graduate. The gap to top programs is stark: Chapman and USC graduates earn nearly double right out of the gate.

That said, context matters here. Humboldt serves a high proportion of Pell Grant students (46%) in a remote location far from entertainment industry hubs, which may partially explain the earnings gap. The small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—also means one or two outcomes heavily influence these numbers. If your child is passionate about film but needs to stay in Northern California or values Humboldt's community-focused approach, the debt here is at least lower than the national median for film programs.

The hard truth: at $19,000 annually, your graduate will struggle with loan payments while likely needing a second job or family support. Unless they're heading to this program for specific faculty connections or plan to relocate to Los Angeles or the Bay Area immediately after graduation, there are stronger options in California that offer better industry access for similar or even lower debt.