Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Keene State College

Keene State's film program graduates start behind other New Hampshire programs—landing at the 40th percentile statewide with first-year earnings of $27,261—but the trajectory matters more than the starting line here. By year four, earnings jump 48% to over $40,000, a growth rate that suggests graduates are building real careers rather than churning through gig work. While Southern New Hampshire's film grads initially earn $6,300 more, that gap likely narrows significantly as Keene State graduates gain experience.

The debt picture strengthens the case: at $27,000, borrowing sits in the 5th percentile nationally for film programs, meaning 95% of comparable programs saddle students with more debt. That's critical in a field where many graduates piece together freelance income early in their careers. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.99 means your child would owe less than one year's starting salary—manageable even on an artist's income.

This program won't make anyone rich quickly, but it offers something valuable for an arts degree: reasonable debt paired with genuine earnings growth. If your child is committed to visual storytelling and willing to work their way up, Keene State provides a financially viable path into the field without the crushing debt that derails many creative careers before they start.