Film/Video and Photographic Arts at The University of Montana

Film programs are notoriously difficult bets, but Montana's graduates show something encouraging: their earnings jump 28% between years one and four, reaching $31,598. That's modest in absolute terms, but it demonstrates the career momentum that many creative programs fail to deliver. The debt load of $26,400 is manageable—roughly one year's mid-career income—which matters when you're building a portfolio-based career that often starts slow.

The tougher reality is Montana's standing within the state. With just two schools offering this program in Montana, this one ranks below Montana State's $29,608 median. That $2,000 gap might not sound dramatic, but in a field where early earnings hover around $24,000, it's meaningful. Nationally, Montana sits squarely in the middle (45th percentile), which is actually reasonable for a regional program at an accessible institution with a 96% admission rate.

For families willing to support a lean first year or two, this program offers something valuable: graduates who show genuine income growth in a field where many plateau early. The debt is reasonable, and the 96% admission rate means your child can actually get in. Just understand you're not betting on immediate financial returns—you're betting on trajectory and your child's commitment to weathering the early career years that creative fields demand.