Film/Video and Photographic Arts at California College of ASU

Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree

a smaller institution with 149 students in Los Angeles, CA.

Program Analysis

California College of ASU's Film/Video and Photographic Arts program produces graduates earning $19,982/yr — within striking distance of the $21,229 national average for this trade.

At 6.3x the cost of tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI exposure is significant at 44% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

The $16,833 debt-to-$19,982 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #20 out of 23 programs, California College of ASU's financial outcomes for Film/Video and Photographic Arts trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $19,982 to $36,616 over five years (83% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

With 8 registered apprenticeships mapped to Film/Video and Photographic Arts, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

29 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
23
Low End
29
Score
31
High End
Earnings $19,982/yr (-6% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (56% shielded)
Job Market Large (43,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$351K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
6.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$52,350
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,833
10.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,616
83% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Producers and directors $83,480 +4.9% 58%
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190 +1.7% 56%
Communications teachers, postsecondary $77,800 +2.1% 57%
Producers and directors
$83,480
+4.9% growth 58% AI-proof
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
$80,190
+1.7% growth 56% AI-proof
Communications teachers, postsecondary
$77,800
+2.1% growth 57% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

About Film/Video and Photographic Arts Careers

Your career could start on a bustling film set, positioning C-stands and running audio cables, or in a quiet studio, meticulously adjusting lights for the perfect product shot. As you advance, you might become a producer, juggling budgets, schedules, and creative personalities to bring a vision to life. Or you could be a film editor, spending your days in a dark room with Adobe Premiere, weaving raw footage and sound into a compelling story.

Read the full Film/Video and Photographic Arts career guide →

Compare & Explore

Film/Video and Photographic Arts Overview

Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at California College of ASU

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California College of ASU's Film/Video and Photographic Arts program score?
At 29/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Film/Video and Photographic Arts?
With 44% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $209,055 in decade earnings vs $350,659 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduates?
Yes — 8 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Film/Video and Photographic Arts career paths, including Camera Operator. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →