Film & Media Studies Degree in Athens, GA — Salary & ROI 2026
Film & Media Studies degree analysis for Athens, GA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$62K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Athens
Cost of Living
103
index (100 = avg)
Film & Media Studies in Athens, GA Overview
Athens, Georgia (pop. 127,064) has 11 colleges offering Film & Media Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 103 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $743/month. Film & Media Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Cinematography and Editing. The adjusted starting salary in Athens is approximately $51,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$12,080/yr
Private Tuition
$42,791/yr
Room & Board
$10,251/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,146/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
50%
Film & Media Studies Salary in Athens (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Athens's cost of living index of 103 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Film & Media Studies salary: $50,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Athens adjustment factor: 1.03x based on the local cost of living index.
Film & Media Studies ROI Calculator for Athens
Estimate your return on investment for a Film & Media Studies degree using local Athens tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,080 | Private avg: $42,791
Athens avg aid: $13,146/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$89,324
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,450
vs HS diploma in Athens
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Athens
$116,676
Lifetime earnings premium ($206,000) minus total education cost ($89,324)
Student Loan Payoff for Film & Media Studies in Athens
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Athens for Film & Media Studies
University of Georgia
public
$12,080/yr
$48,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Athens Technical College
$3,152/yr
Top Employers for Film & Media Studies in Athens
Athens offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Film & Media Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Athens Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Film & Media Studies Job Titles
Film & Media Studies in Nearby Georgia Cities
Atlanta, GA
$51K starting · COL 101
23 colleges
Columbus, GA
$42K starting · COL 84.5
8 colleges
Augusta, GA
$42K starting · COL 83
11 colleges
Macon, GA
$51K starting · COL 101
13 colleges
Savannah, GA
$48K starting · COL 95
12 colleges
Sandy Springs, GA
$56K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Roswell, GA
$54K starting · COL 108.2
4 colleges
Johns Creek, GA
$56K starting · COL 112.8
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Athens
UX Design
$52K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$60K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$49K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$52K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$52K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$52K starting · 9 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies Degree in Athens — 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.
Explore More
Compare Film & Media Studies ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Athens.