Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management at SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville

SAE Nashville graduates earn nearly $4,400 less than the national median for this program—landing in the bottom 5% nationally with first-year earnings of just $17,881. That's below the poverty line for a family of two. The unusual twist: this program ranks in the 60th percentile within Tennessee, but only because SAE is the sole school reporting data for this associate's in the state, making that comparison meaningless for families trying to gauge value.

The modest $20,000 debt load seems reasonable on paper, but paired with these earnings, graduates face a debt-to-income ratio of 1.12—meaning they owe more than half their annual salary. While earnings do climb 19% by year four, reaching $21,319 still leaves graduates far behind national peers who earn $22,265 right out of the gate. The high Pell grant percentage (76%) suggests this program enrolls students who can least afford a slow financial start.

For families considering this path, the math is unforgiving: the same debt could finance a program with substantially higher earning potential. Nashville's media industry offers opportunities, but this particular credential doesn't appear to unlock them effectively. If your child is set on entertainment management, exploring bachelor's programs or different institutions would likely deliver better returns on this investment.