Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State's film program delivers something rare in this field: graduates earning double what their peers make nationally. At $51,772 one year out, these graduates outpace not just Georgia's median for film programs ($23,282) but also exceed what students at SCAD and Georgia State earn—despite those schools' more prominent reputations in creative fields. This 95th percentile performance both nationally and statewide suggests the program has either exceptional industry connections or curricula that translates unusually well to employable skills.

The debt picture amplifies this advantage. While the $27,000 in student loans sits at Georgia's median for film programs, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 means graduates owe roughly half of their first year's salary—remarkably manageable for a creative field where debt often exceeds earnings. Compare this to the national picture: film graduates typically earn $25,173 while carrying similar debt loads, creating a far tighter financial squeeze.

For parents worried about funding an arts degree, this program offers an unusual combination: access to a field known for financial precarity with earnings that actually support loan repayment. The moderate sample size means individual outcomes will vary, but the pattern is clear enough to make this a standout option for Georgia students serious about film careers.