Film & Media Studies Degree in Lexington, KY — Salary & ROI 2026
Film & Media Studies degree analysis for Lexington, KY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$54K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$64K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.7 yrs
in Lexington
Cost of Living
107
index (100 = avg)
Film & Media Studies in Lexington, KY Overview
Lexington, Kentucky (pop. 322,570) has 14 colleges offering Film & Media Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 107 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,265/month. Film & Media Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Cinematography and Editing. The adjusted starting salary in Lexington is approximately $53,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$12,360/yr
Private Tuition
$42,200/yr
Room & Board
$10,700/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,397/yr
Unemployment
6.4%
Graduation Rate
65%
Film & Media Studies Salary in Lexington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lexington's cost of living index of 107 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Film & Media Studies salary: $50,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Lexington adjustment factor: 1.07x based on the local cost of living index.
Film & Media Studies ROI Calculator for Lexington
Estimate your return on investment for a Film & Media Studies degree using local Lexington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,360 | Private avg: $42,200
Lexington avg aid: $8,397/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,240
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,050
vs HS diploma in Lexington
ROI Payback Period
5.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lexington
$121,760
Lifetime earnings premium ($214,000) minus total education cost ($92,240)
Student Loan Payoff for Film & Media Studies in Lexington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lexington for Film & Media Studies
University of Kentucky
public
$12,360/yr
$49,440 total
Transylvania University
private
$42,200/yr
$168,800 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
$4,680/yr
Top Employers for Film & Media Studies in Lexington
Lexington offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Film & Media Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lexington 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 Kentucky Cities
Other Arts & Design Majors in Lexington
UX Design
$54K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$62K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$54K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$54K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$51K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$54K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$54K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$54K starting · 9 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies Degree in Lexington — 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 Lexington.