Film & Media Studies Degree in Minneapolis, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Film & Media Studies degree analysis for Minneapolis, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$49K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$58K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.6 yrs
in Minneapolis
Cost of Living
97
index (100 = avg)
Film & Media Studies in Minneapolis, MN Overview
Minneapolis, Minnesota (pop. 429,954) has 15 colleges offering Film & Media Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 97 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $805/month. Film & Media Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Cinematography and Editing. The adjusted starting salary in Minneapolis is approximately $48,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
15
Public Tuition
$15,142/yr
Private Tuition
$45,823/yr
Room & Board
$12,394/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,033/yr
Unemployment
4.4%
Graduation Rate
61%
Film & Media Studies Salary in Minneapolis (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Minneapolis's cost of living index of 97 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Film & Media Studies salary: $50,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Minneapolis adjustment factor: 0.97x based on the local cost of living index.
Film & Media Studies ROI Calculator for Minneapolis
Estimate your return on investment for a Film & Media Studies degree using local Minneapolis tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,142 | Private avg: $45,823
Minneapolis avg aid: $14,033/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$110,144
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,550
vs HS diploma in Minneapolis
ROI Payback Period
7.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Minneapolis
$83,856
Lifetime earnings premium ($194,000) minus total education cost ($110,144)
Student Loan Payoff for Film & Media Studies in Minneapolis
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Minneapolis for Film & Media Studies
University of Minnesota
public
$15,142/yr
$60,568 total
University of St. Thomas
private
$49,716/yr
$198,864 total
Augsburg University
private
$41,930/yr
$167,720 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Minneapolis College
$5,772/yr
Top Employers for Film & Media Studies in Minneapolis
Minneapolis offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Film & Media Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Minneapolis 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 Minnesota Cities
Saint Paul, MN
$51K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
St. Paul, MN
$54K starting · COL 108
20 colleges
Rochester, MN
$53K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Duluth, MN
$50K starting · COL 100
5 colleges
Bloomington, MN
$50K starting · COL 100.2
4 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$49K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Plymouth, MN
$54K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$54K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Minneapolis
UX Design
$49K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$56K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$49K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$49K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$47K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$49K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$49K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$49K starting · 9 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies Degree in Minneapolis — 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 Minneapolis.