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Cinematography Degree in Omaha, NE — Salary & ROI 2026

Cinematography degree analysis for Omaha, NE. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$48K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$74K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

4.8 yrs

in Omaha

Cost of Living

87

index (100 = avg)

Cinematography in Omaha, NE Overview

Omaha is one of Nebraska's top college towns, with 23 institutions and a student population of 33,866. Public tuition averages $8,268/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Cinematography enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Camera Systems and Lighting. The adjusted starting salary in Omaha is approximately $47,850, growing to $73,950 by mid-career.

Category

Arts

Local Colleges

23

Public Tuition

$8,268/yr

Private Tuition

$26,461/yr

Room & Board

$12,792/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$11,593/yr

Unemployment

5.6%

Graduation Rate

56%

Cinematography Salary in Omaha (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Omaha's cost of living index of 87 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$47,850($-7,150 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$73,950($-11,050 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$121,800($-18,200 vs national)

Note: National average Cinematography salary: $55,000 starting, $85,000 mid-career, $140,000 senior level.Omaha adjustment factor: 0.87x based on the local cost of living index.

Cinematography ROI Calculator for Omaha

Estimate your return on investment for a Cinematography degree using local Omaha tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $8,268 | Private avg: $26,461

Omaha avg aid: $11,593/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$84,240

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$17,400

vs HS diploma in Omaha

ROI Payback Period

4.8 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Omaha

$2,760

Lifetime earnings premium ($87,000) minus total education cost ($84,240)

Student Loan Payoff for Cinematography in Omaha

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$84,240
Monthly Payment$957
Total Interest$30,543
% of Monthly Income24%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$84,240
Monthly Payment$1,648
Total Interest$14,655
Interest Savings$15,888

Colleges in Omaha for Cinematography

University of Nebraska at Omaha

public

$8,268/yr

$33,072 total

Creighton University

private

$44,146/yr

$176,584 total

Bellevue University

private

$8,775/yr

$35,100 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Metropolitan Community College Omaha

$3,540/yr

Top Employers for Cinematography in Omaha

Omaha offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Cinematography graduates. National top employers in this field include:

StudiosStreaming companiesProduction housesAgencies

Key Omaha Hiring Sectors for Arts

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Cinematography Job Titles

CinematographerDirector of PhotographyCamera Operator

Cinematography Degree in Omaha — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

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Compare Cinematography ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Omaha.

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