Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Ringling College of Art and Design

Ringling's film program charges premium tuition but delivers results that trail even Florida's median for the field. With graduates earning around $18,500 in their first year—roughly $6,000 below the state average—this program ranks in just the 25th percentile among Florida's 17 film schools. More troubling: earnings actually decline to $17,575 by year four, suggesting graduates struggle to gain traction in their careers. Compare this to University of Miami film grads earning $35,485 or even Florida State at $31,689, and the gap becomes stark.

The $27,000 debt load may seem manageable in absolute terms, but it represents 1.5 times first-year earnings—a concerning ratio for a field where most graduates earn under $20,000 annually. While film is notoriously difficult to break into everywhere (the national median sits at just $25,173), Ringling graduates appear to fare worse than peers at comparable Florida schools. The moderate sample size means this data is reasonably reliable, not a statistical fluke.

If your child is passionate about film, Florida offers stronger options at lower cost. State universities provide better earnings outcomes with less debt, and that advantage compounds when graduates are earning 50-80% more from day one. Ringling's specialized focus doesn't translate to marketplace results that justify its investment.