Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Valencia College

Orlando, FL · Public · Associate Degree

serving a student body of 35,125 in Orlando, FL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $16,635 place Valencia College below the $21,229 national median for Film/Video and Photographic Arts — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 55.5x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Film/Video and Photographic Arts carry above-average AI exposure (44% of tasks). The 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

At $13,829 against $16,635/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

At #2 of 23 programs, this Film/Video and Photographic Arts program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The $16,635-to-$37,275 earnings arc over five years reflects a 124% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

The 8 apprenticeship pathways connected to Film/Video and Photographic Arts reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

41 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
32
Low End
41
Score
44
High End
Earnings $16,635/yr (-22% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (56% shielded)
Job Market Large (43,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$292K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
59.0x
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)
$4,948
Out-of-state: $18,766
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,829
10.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,275
124% 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 Valencia College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Film/Video and Photographic Arts at Valencia College?
At 41/100, 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 $174,037 in decade earnings vs $291,924 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Film/Video and Photographic Arts from Valencia College?
Lower starting pay at Valencia College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Film/Video and Photographic Arts?
There are 8 registered apprenticeships connected to Film/Video and Photographic Arts occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →