Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Community College of Aurora

Aurora, CO · Public · Associate Degree

with a smaller student body of 3,346 in Aurora, CO.

Program Analysis

At $20,533/yr, Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduates from Community College of Aurora land near the $21,229 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 42.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

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 $18,114 debt-to-$20,533 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #5 out of 23 programs, Community College of Aurora's Film/Video and Photographic Arts program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $20,533 to $36,726 over five years (79% 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.

39 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
31
Low End
39
Score
42
High End
Earnings $20,533/yr (-3% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (56% shielded)
Job Market Large (43,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$360K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
44.7x
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 (In-State)
$8,060
Out-of-state: $31,360
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,114
10.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,726
79% 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 Community College of Aurora

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Community College of Aurora's Film/Video and Photographic Arts program score?
A score of 39/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Film/Video and Photographic Arts. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI affect Film/Video and Photographic Arts careers?
AI won't 'replace' Film/Video and Photographic Arts careers outright, but it is likely to reduce job openings. We model 44% task exposure, which compresses employment probability in our scenarios.
Is Community College of Aurora one of the best schools for Film/Video and Photographic Arts?
Among 23 Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs, Community College of Aurora's #5 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
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 →