Film/Video and Photographic Arts at University of California-Irvine

UC Irvine's film program hits graduates with a harsh reality: $21,397 in the first year out, barely above minimum wage in California. That's 15% below both the national median and California's typical film program, placing it in just the 40th percentile statewide—middling performance for a UC campus. The debt load of $16,300 is relatively modest, but even that takes 76% of first-year earnings to manage, a challenging burden when you're earning roughly $10 per hour.

The bright spot is earnings growth: graduates nearly double their income by year four, reaching $40,166. That trajectory suggests the program's network and credential eventually open doors, even if the entry point is rough. Still, compare this to UCLA's film grads earning $30k in year one, or Chapman's $36k—schools that demonstrate film programs at selective institutions don't have to start this low. Given UC Irvine's 26% admission rate and strong academic reputation, these outcomes fall short of expectations.

For parents, the key question is whether your child can weather 2-3 years of near-poverty wages in expensive Southern California while building their portfolio. If they have financial support during that runway period and strong career drive, the four-year earnings become respectable. Without that cushion, this program's slow launch could create serious financial stress, even with the relatively manageable debt.