Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Pace University

Pace's film program starts graduates at a concerning $20,775—well below both New York's median ($23,826) and the national average ($25,173). That initial salary puts you in the bottom fifth nationally for film graduates. However, the striking 86% earnings jump to $38,627 by year four tells a more complex story. This trajectory suggests graduates who stay in New York's media industry and navigate the early career hustle can eventually outpace many peers, though it requires weathering those lean first years.

The $25,238 debt load sits right at the national median, which sounds manageable until you consider that first-year income. You're looking at debt exceeding a full year's salary initially, making those first few years financially tight. Meanwhile, programs like Fordham start graduates nearly $16,000 higher, and even CUNY City College—at a fraction of the cost—beats Pace's starting salary while likely leaving students with far less debt.

The real question is whether your child can handle two to three years of survival wages in one of America's most expensive cities. If they have financial cushion and strong networking abilities to accelerate through that difficult entry period, Pace's trajectory becomes more viable. Without that safety net, cheaper in-state alternatives or programs with stronger starting salaries deserve serious consideration.