Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management at Full Sail University
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
Full Sail's Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management program asks students to take on $39,580 in debt—about $13,500 more than similar Florida programs—to earn a starting salary barely breaking $29,000. That debt burden ranks in the bottom 5% nationally for this degree, meaning 95% of comparable programs nationwide leave students with less debt. While graduates do see 21% earnings growth by year four, they're still earning just $35,092, making the debt repayment math challenging even with that increase.
The geographic context matters here: graduates earn slightly below Florida's median for this field ($28,986) and well below UCF's similar program, despite paying significantly more. Among Florida's nine schools offering this degree, Full Sail ranks in just the 40th percentile for earnings. With over half of students receiving Pell grants, this debt-to-earnings gap hits particularly hard for families with limited financial cushion.
For a creative industry degree where networking and portfolio matter as much as the credential, parents should carefully weigh whether this premium price point delivers proportional advantages. The program performs merely average nationally while creating above-average debt burdens—a combination that makes the financial return uncertain even for students passionate about entertainment media careers.
Where Full Sail University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all arts, entertainment,and media management bachelors's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Full Sail University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Full Sail University graduates earn $29k, placing them in the 53th percentile of all arts, entertainment,and media management bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Florida (9 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Sail University | $28,947 | $35,092 | $39,580 | 1.37 |
| University of Central Florida | $29,025 | — | $22,569 | 0.78 |
| National Median | $28,357 | — | $26,000 | 0.92 |
Other Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management Programs in Florida
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Florida schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Central Florida Orlando | $6,368 | $29,025 | $22,569 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Full Sail University, approximately 57% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 275 graduates with reported earnings and 371 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.