Film & Media Studies Degree in Laredo, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Film & Media Studies degree analysis for Laredo, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$54K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.2 yrs
in Laredo
Cost of Living
90
index (100 = avg)
Film & Media Studies in Laredo, TX Overview
Laredo, Texas (pop. 255,305) has 14 colleges offering Film & Media Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 90 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $982/month. Film & Media Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Cinematography and Editing. The adjusted starting salary in Laredo is approximately $45,000.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$7,850/yr
Private Tuition
$40,249/yr
Room & Board
$9,561/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,889/yr
Unemployment
5.8%
Graduation Rate
60%
Film & Media Studies Salary in Laredo (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Laredo's cost of living index of 90 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Film & Media Studies salary: $50,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Laredo adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.
Film & Media Studies ROI Calculator for Laredo
Estimate your return on investment for a Film & Media Studies degree using local Laredo tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,850 | Private avg: $40,249
Laredo avg aid: $9,889/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$69,644
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,500
vs HS diploma in Laredo
ROI Payback Period
5.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Laredo
$110,356
Lifetime earnings premium ($180,000) minus total education cost ($69,644)
Student Loan Payoff for Film & Media Studies in Laredo
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Laredo for Film & Media Studies
Texas A&M International University
public
$7,850/yr
$31,400 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Laredo College
$2,604/yr
Top Employers for Film & Media Studies in Laredo
Laredo offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Film & Media Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Laredo 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 Texas Cities
Houston, TX
$58K starting · COL 115
90 colleges
San Antonio, TX
$60K starting · COL 120
58 colleges
Dallas, TX
$52K starting · COL 104
82 colleges
Austin, TX
$54K starting · COL 107
30 colleges
Fort Worth, TX
$51K starting · COL 101
19 colleges
El Paso, TX
$47K starting · COL 93
38 colleges
Arlington, TX
$47K starting · COL 93.5
14 colleges
Corpus Christi, TX
$41K starting · COL 82
22 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Laredo
UX Design
$45K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$52K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$43K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$45K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$45K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$45K starting · 9 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies Degree in Laredo — 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 Laredo.