Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Drexel University

Drexel's film program starts rough but rebounds impressively—graduates earn just $19,758 in year one, landing in the 12th percentile nationally, but nearly double their income to $38,897 by year four. That 97% growth trajectory outpaces typical outcomes for this field and suggests the program's co-op system may be paying dividends as graduates gain experience and industry connections. Within Pennsylvania, first-year earnings hit the median, placing Drexel solidly mid-pack among the state's 26 film programs.

The debt burden of $25,379 is manageable relative to that first difficult year (1.28 ratio), though families should plan for lean early years when loan payments begin. That initial $19,758 salary is concerning—it's below poverty level for an individual—but if the growth pattern holds, graduates who can weather the first year or two appear to land in a better position than most film degree holders. The moderate sample size suggests these numbers reflect real program outcomes rather than statistical noise.

For families who can financially support their child through those tough early years post-graduation, Drexel's track record of doubling graduate earnings offers some reassurance. If immediate financial independence matters, however, that first-year figure represents a serious obstacle even with relatively modest debt.