Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Seattle Film Institute

Seattle Film Institute's film program outperforms most of its national peers while landing in the middle of Washington's competitive media education market. Graduates earn $30,789 their first year—ranking in the 88th percentile nationally but the 60th percentile in-state. That gap reflects how Washington's film schools collectively perform well, with Seattle Film Institute essentially matching earnings from much larger institutions like Seattle University ($30,256) and UW-Seattle ($28,561).

The debt picture looks reasonable at $24,000, producing a 0.78 debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable for a creative field where first-year salaries rarely crack $30,000. Graduates owe about 9 months of their starting salary—not trivial, but within reach for repayment. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) suggests this is an established program with consistent outcomes, and the 41% Pell grant rate indicates it serves a diverse student body.

For families weighing film school options in Washington, this program delivers comparable earnings to flagship universities at similar debt levels. The key consideration is whether these first-year earnings can support debt repayment while building a career in an industry known for project-based, irregular income. If your child is committed to film work and values hands-on training over a traditional university experience, the outcomes here justify the investment—just ensure they understand the financial discipline required in those crucial early years.