Film & Media Studies Degree in Providence, RI — Salary & ROI 2026
Film & Media Studies degree analysis for Providence, RI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$71K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$85K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Providence
Cost of Living
141
index (100 = avg)
Film & Media Studies in Providence, RI Overview
Providence, Rhode Island (pop. 190,934) has 7 colleges offering Film & Media Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 141 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,476/month. Film & Media Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Cinematography and Editing. The adjusted starting salary in Providence is approximately $70,500.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$15,259/yr
Private Tuition
$59,540/yr
Room & Board
$17,733/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,708/yr
Unemployment
4.3%
Graduation Rate
54%
Film & Media Studies Salary in Providence (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Providence's cost of living index of 141 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Film & Media Studies salary: $50,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Providence adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.
Film & Media Studies ROI Calculator for Providence
Estimate your return on investment for a Film & Media Studies degree using local Providence tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,259 | Private avg: $59,540
Providence avg aid: $15,708/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$131,968
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,150
vs HS diploma in Providence
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Providence
$150,032
Lifetime earnings premium ($282,000) minus total education cost ($131,968)
Student Loan Payoff for Film & Media Studies in Providence
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Providence for Film & Media Studies
Brown University
private
$62,680/yr
$250,720 total
Providence College
private
$56,400/yr
$225,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Community College of Rhode Island
$4,994/yr
Top Employers for Film & Media Studies in Providence
Providence offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Film & Media Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Providence 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 Rhode Island Cities
Other Arts & Design Majors in Providence
UX Design
$71K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$82K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$71K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$71K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$68K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$71K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$71K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$71K starting · 9 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies Degree in Providence — 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 Providence.