Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Marymount Manhattan College

Marymount Manhattan's film program produces earnings that outpace most other film programs in New York—ranking in the 60th percentile statewide—but that's a low bar in a notoriously difficult field. At $25,014 one year out, graduates earn roughly what they'd make nationally in this major, though significantly less than peers at Fordham ($36,704) or even SUNY Buffalo ($26,630). The $27,000 debt load is relatively modest for a private college in Manhattan, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.08.

The core challenge here isn't the program's quality—it's the economics of creative fields themselves. Even successful film programs struggle to generate strong early earnings, and this one performs respectably within those constraints. The location advantage of studying film in New York could pay dividends through networking and opportunities, but that won't show up in year-one earnings data. Whether your child thrives will depend heavily on their talent, hustle, and willingness to work side jobs while building a portfolio career.

If your child is determined to pursue film, this program won't saddle them with crushing debt like many competitors. But be realistic: they'll likely need financial support in those early years, and the path from $25,000 to a sustainable creative career requires persistence and often a financial safety net. The modest debt buys them time to build that career without impossible repayment burdens.