Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Wright State University-Main Campus

Wright State's film program sits in an interesting middle ground: while earnings trail the national median by a few hundred dollars, graduates here actually outperform the Ohio median by over $1,000 annually—placing this program in the 60th percentile statewide. That's a meaningful difference in a state where several comparable programs produce graduates earning in the low $20,000s or even high teens.

The debt picture looks manageable at first glance. At $26,750, it's roughly aligned with both state and national norms for film programs, and the 1.09 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe slightly more than one year's salary. Compared to Columbus College of Art & Design (where graduates earn more but face steeper debt), Wright State offers a less expensive entry point into the field. However, $24,617 yearly is still a tight budget for managing loan payments alongside living expenses in any market.

The real caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 recent graduates means these numbers could shift considerably with just a few outliers. If your child is drawn to this program, look closely at faculty connections, internship pipelines, and whether graduates actually work in media production or pivot to other fields. For families prioritizing affordability and staying in Ohio, Wright State represents a reasonable option, but creative careers often demand building income through freelance work and hustle rather than relying solely on that first paycheck.