Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Emerson College

Emerson College's film program starts graduates at a modest $27,032 but shows impressive momentum, with earnings jumping 57% to $42,467 by year four—well above the national median of $25,173. While this ranks in the 64th percentile nationally, it falls to the 40th percentile within Massachusetts, where competition from programs like Tufts ($56,418) and UMass Dartmouth ($31,886) sets a higher bar.

The debt picture is reasonable at $24,250, creating a manageable 0.90 debt-to-earnings ratio that should allow graduates to service loans without major hardship. This debt load sits right at national and state medians for the field. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates gives confidence these numbers reflect real outcomes rather than statistical noise.

For parents, Emerson delivers solid value in a notoriously difficult field where many programs struggle to launch careers. The strong earnings growth suggests the program's industry connections and Boston location help graduates advance quickly. While you won't see immediate high returns like some STEM fields, the trajectory points toward viable creative careers that can support loan repayment and eventual financial stability.