Film/Video and Photographic Arts at University of Missouri-Columbia

Mizzou's film program stands out in a state where most film graduates struggle—early earnings here exceed both the Missouri median ($22,619) and the national benchmark ($25,173) by significant margins. While the $29,613 starting salary won't impress anyone in absolute terms, it ranks in the 80th percentile among Missouri programs, meaning most film students in the state earn substantially less. The debt picture is equally encouraging: at under $20,000, graduates carry about $4,000 less than Missouri's typical film graduate and roughly $5,000 less than the national median, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67.

The major caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 recent graduates means next year's numbers could look quite different. That said, for families who've accepted that their child is pursuing film regardless of parental anxiety, this represents one of the stronger programs in Missouri. Your student would graduate with relatively modest debt and better early-career prospects than peers at in-state alternatives like Webster or Kansas City Art Institute. The real question isn't whether this program delivers value compared to other film degrees—it clearly does—but whether a film degree aligns with your family's financial reality and risk tolerance.