Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Michigan's film program stands out from the crowd, outearning comparable programs at 66% of schools nationally and 60% within Michigan—including higher-profile options like University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. With first-year earnings of $27,348, graduates here start about $2,000 ahead of the national median, and that gap widens to over $8,000 by year four. The 22% earnings growth trajectory suggests graduates are finding their footing in what's typically a challenging creative field.

The debt picture reinforces this program's value. At $27,000, it matches both the national and state median, but here it buys you stronger earnings outcomes. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.99 means graduates owe roughly what they earn in their first year—high in absolute terms, but manageable for an arts program where six-figure debt is common at many institutions. Being in the 5th percentile nationally for debt (meaning 95% of programs saddle students with more) is notable.

For an arts degree, this represents a relatively solid investment. Your child won't get rich quickly, but they'll earn more than most film graduates while avoiding the crushing debt loads that plague many creative programs. The moderate sample size suggests consistent outcomes rather than a few outliers driving the numbers.