Film & Media Studies Degree in Macon, GA — Salary & ROI 2026
Film & Media Studies degree analysis for Macon, GA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$51K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$61K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6 yrs
in Macon
Cost of Living
101
index (100 = avg)
Film & Media Studies in Macon, GA Overview
Macon, Georgia (pop. 157,346) has 13 colleges offering Film & Media Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 101 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,007/month. Film & Media Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Cinematography and Editing. The adjusted starting salary in Macon is approximately $50,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
13
Public Tuition
$11,056/yr
Private Tuition
$40,560/yr
Room & Board
$11,733/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,538/yr
Unemployment
6.8%
Graduation Rate
48%
Film & Media Studies Salary in Macon (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Macon's cost of living index of 101 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Film & Media Studies salary: $50,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Macon adjustment factor: 1.01x based on the local cost of living index.
Film & Media Studies ROI Calculator for Macon
Estimate your return on investment for a Film & Media Studies degree using local Macon tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,056 | Private avg: $40,560
Macon avg aid: $10,538/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$91,156
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,150
vs HS diploma in Macon
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Macon
$110,844
Lifetime earnings premium ($202,000) minus total education cost ($91,156)
Student Loan Payoff for Film & Media Studies in Macon
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Macon for Film & Media Studies
Mercer University
private
$40,560/yr
$162,240 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Central Georgia Technical College
$3,152/yr
Top Employers for Film & Media Studies in Macon
Macon offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Film & Media Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Macon 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
Savannah, GA
$48K starting · COL 95
12 colleges
Athens, GA
$52K starting · COL 103
11 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 Macon
UX Design
$51K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$59K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$51K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$51K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$48K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$51K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$51K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$51K starting · 9 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies Degree in Macon — 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 Macon.