Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management at Marymount Manhattan College

Marymount Manhattan's Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management program lands squarely in the middle of the pack—nationally median, but below average for New York state. With first-year earnings of $28,160 against $26,000 in debt, the immediate financial picture isn't alarming, but it's worth noting that graduates here earn about $600 less than the typical New York program graduate in this field. That gap matters in a high-cost-of-living market like Manhattan, where every dollar counts.

The real concern is what you're getting for the investment. Top programs in the state—The New School, SUNY Potsdam, even Syracuse—produce graduates earning $7,000 to $9,500 more in their first year. That's not a trivial difference when you're trying to make rent in New York City on an entry-level media salary. The small sample size (under 30 graduates tracked) adds uncertainty: these numbers could shift significantly with more data.

For a family willing to pay private college tuition in Manhattan, this program doesn't offer a clear advantage over SUNY Potsdam, which delivers better outcomes at in-state rates. Unless your child has specific reasons to attend Marymount Manhattan—perhaps a unique program focus or campus culture fit—the numbers suggest looking at programs that either cost significantly less or deliver meaningfully higher earnings. In this competitive field, your network and internship opportunities matter immensely, so consider whether this school's connections justify the modest outcomes.