Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management at Elon University

Elon's Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management program outperforms most competitors despite the field's challenging economics. With first-year earnings of $32,413, graduates here earn about $3,400 more than the North Carolina median and rank in the 60th percentile statewide—beating established programs at UNC-Greensboro and Appalachian State. Nationally, the advantage is even clearer: this program lands in the 69th percentile, pushing toward the top quarter of similar programs.

The debt picture reinforces the value: at $26,544, borrowing sits slightly above the state median but below the national average, yielding a manageable 0.82 debt-to-earnings ratio. That means graduates owe less than a year's salary—a reasonable threshold for arts programs where passion often competes with financial pragmatism. The relatively low debt burden matters in creative fields where early-career earnings rarely surge.

One significant caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary more than at larger programs. Still, for families willing to accept the modest earning potential inherent to entertainment careers, Elon appears to maximize employability within those constraints. If your child is committed to this industry rather than exploring it casually, this program delivers better-than-average preparation without burying them in debt.