Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Calvin University

Calvin University's film program reports earnings that should alarm any parent: just $15,906 one year after graduation—barely minimum wage and less than two-thirds what Michigan film grads typically earn. While the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could be volatile, this program ranks in the bottom 10% both nationally and within Michigan, trailing every comparable program in the state by $8,000-$11,000.

The debt load of $20,928 is actually lower than average for this field, but that's cold comfort when graduates are earning so little. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.32, students would owe more than an entire year's salary—a challenging position for any creative professional trying to establish themselves. For context, film graduates from nearby Eastern Michigan earn 72% more one year out, suggesting this isn't just about the inherent challenges of creative careers but something specific to outcomes at Calvin.

The small sample size is worth noting—perhaps Calvin's handful of film graduates are pursuing unpaid internships or graduate school rather than immediate employment. But without evidence of that, parents should consider whether a general liberal arts education at Calvin, supplemented by film courses elsewhere or hands-on experience, might be a safer path than committing to this specific program. The Michigan film market clearly supports better outcomes; Calvin's graduates just aren't capturing them.