Film & Media Studies Degree in Hayward, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Film & Media Studies degree analysis for Hayward, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$66K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$79K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.5 yrs
in Hayward
Cost of Living
131
index (100 = avg)
Film & Media Studies in Hayward, CA Overview
While Hayward has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Film & Media Studies students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $14,898/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Film & Media Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Cinematography and Editing. The adjusted starting salary in Hayward is approximately $65,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$6,972/yr
Private Tuition
$44,745/yr
Room & Board
$14,898/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,102/yr
Unemployment
3.2%
Graduation Rate
63%
Film & Media Studies Salary in Hayward (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Hayward's cost of living index of 131 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Film & Media Studies salary: $50,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Hayward adjustment factor: 1.31x based on the local cost of living index.
Film & Media Studies ROI Calculator for Hayward
Estimate your return on investment for a Film & Media Studies degree using local Hayward tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,972 | Private avg: $44,745
Hayward avg aid: $13,102/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,480
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,650
vs HS diploma in Hayward
ROI Payback Period
4.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Hayward
$174,520
Lifetime earnings premium ($262,000) minus total education cost ($87,480)
Student Loan Payoff for Film & Media Studies in Hayward
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Hayward for Film & Media Studies
California State University, East Bay
public
$6,972/yr
$27,888 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chabot College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Film & Media Studies in Hayward
Hayward offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Film & Media Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Hayward 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 California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$71K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$70K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$65K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$57K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$59K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$56K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$66K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Hayward
UX Design
$66K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$76K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$66K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$66K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$63K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$66K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$66K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$66K starting · 9 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies Degree in Hayward — 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 Hayward.