Film/Video and Photographic Arts master's degree programs in California

Compare 8 reporting programs using the same federal field and master's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.

8Programs reporting earnings

$51,931Median year-4 earnings

Not availableMedian federal debt

0Programs reporting debt

OUTCOME SPREAD

Highest reported earnings in California

Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.

CAREER CONTEXT IN CA

What related occupations pay in California

These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.

25-1121Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

State median wage: $99,410
Middle 50% wage range: $74,960–$143,070
State employment: 9,820
Projected growth: +2.2%
Annual openings: 8,000

10th–90th percentile: $60,420–$202,740

27-2012Producers and Directors

State median wage: $129,790
Middle 50% wage range: $83,110–$172,410
State employment: 34,110
Projected growth: +4.0%
Annual openings: 12,100

10th–90th percentile: $63,570–$306,850

27-4031Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film

State median wage: $106,900
Middle 50% wage range: $76,060–$130,960
State employment: 4,700
Projected growth: +1.3%
Annual openings: 2,500

10th–90th percentile: $53,910–$154,240

27-4032Film and Video Editors

State median wage: $88,490
Middle 50% wage range: $60,810–$128,630
State employment: 8,110
Projected growth: +3.7%
Annual openings: 3,100

10th–90th percentile: $42,020–$169,810

25-1122Communications Teachers, Postsecondary

State median wage: $135,000
Middle 50% wage range: $102,290–$186,490
State employment: 3,140
Projected growth: +2.1%
Annual openings: 2,400

10th–90th percentile: $78,660–$218,880

27-4021Photographers

State median wage: $47,840
Middle 50% wage range: $38,410–$72,100
State employment: 7,980
Projected growth: -0.7%
Annual openings: 10,700

10th–90th percentile: $36,470–$125,490

Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in California; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.

ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS

Compare every available outcome

Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.

#	College	City	Median year-4 earnings	Median federal debt
1	Academy of Art University	San Francisco	$58,879	Not available
2	California Institute of the Arts	Valencia	$56,207	Not available
3	Loyola Marymount University	Los Angeles	$55,619	Not available
4	University of California, Los Angeles	Los Angeles	$53,630	Not available
5	University of Southern California	Los Angeles	$51,931	Not available
6	Chapman University	Orange	$50,895	Not available
7	American Film Institute Conservatory	Los Angeles	$43,012	Not available
8	New York Film Academy	Burbank	$38,915	Not available

This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

A quick read on Film/Video and Photographic Arts in California

What do Film/Video and Photographic Arts master's degree graduates earn in California?

Across 8 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $51,931 four years after completion.

How much federal debt is reported for these programs?

The current federal release does not contain enough reportable debt figures for this comparison.

Which California colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?

The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. Academy of Art University has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.