Film/Video and Photographic Arts at State University of New York at Oswego

The real question here isn't whether $22,682 feels low—it's whether SUNY Oswego's film program can justify nearly $26,000 in debt for those starting wages. At 40th percentile in New York, this program sits below the state median ($23,826), and earnings trail the national median by about $2,500. That said, the debt load matches state norms exactly, and four years out, graduates reach $28,004—essentially catching up to where programs like RIT and Vassar start.

The 24% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates aren't stuck in entry-level positions forever. Still, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.14, your child would graduate owing more than their first year's salary—manageable if they can supplement with freelance work or find housing with low costs, but tight for someone expecting to live independently in a pricey market. The moderate sample size means this data reflects actual outcomes, not statistical noise.

For families weighing in-state tuition against private alternatives, SUNY Oswego delivers median results at a median price point. It won't give your child the network advantages of an RIT or the salary boost of a Fordham, but it also won't bury them in debt. If your child is passionate about film and needs an affordable path into the industry, this works—just plan for lean early years and consider whether they can graduate with less than full debt by working summers or attending community college first.