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Arts Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management programs showcase remarkable cost differences across public and private institutions, with Ohio University's regional campuses offering net prices as low as $4,503 while private options like Millikin University reach $8,837. California State University-Fullerton graduates earn $29,685 annually, nearly 43% more than Florida Atlantic University graduates at $20,687, despite both schools charging similar net prices around $5,000-$8,000. The entertainment industry's shift toward digital content creation has increased demand for media management professionals nationwide, with streaming services and social media platforms creating new career paths in content strategy and audience development. Ohio dominates the most affordable options with six regional campuses under $7,000, while larger universities like University of Central Florida and University of Texas at El Paso provide access to major metropolitan entertainment markets. Graduation rates vary significantly, from 12.1% at Ohio University-Chillicothe to 75.1% at UCF, suggesting that institutional resources and student support systems play important roles in program completion.
50
Programs
$4,503 – $16,774
Net Price Range
$25,618
Avg. Program Earnings
47.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
2 $4,989 $7,050 23.6% 39.6%
3 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
4 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
5 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
6 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
7 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
8 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
9 $8,837 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
10 $9,121 $9,708 59.5% 84.0%
11 $10,170 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
12 $10,650 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
13 $10,726 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
14 $11,024 $11,990 54.0% 95.7%
15 $11,429 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
16 $12,202 $13,630 47.9% 87.9%
17 $12,313 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
18 $12,514 $8,634 47.8% 93.2%
19 $12,599 $9,506 54.0% 72.5%
20 $12,878 $8,342 53.1% 89.6%
21 $13,024 $6,360 43.6% 55.2%
22 $13,091 $8,353 47.2% 96.1%
23 $13,346 $7,278 21.6%
24 $13,451 $11,160 42.7% 82.9%
25 $13,591 $24,150 39.1%
26 $13,710 $29,982 68.2% 77.5%
27 $13,726 $8,834 56.0% 89.1%
28 $13,778 $8,605 46.9% 98.6%
29 $13,782 $8,816 60.9% 73.9%
30 $13,824 $7,278 24.5%
31 $13,980 $28,670 31.0% 78.2%
32 $14,013 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
33 $14,224 $9,618 50.6% 98.8%
34 $14,295 $8,712 47.9% 82.7%
35 $14,317 $35,558 55.9% 75.0%
36 $14,459 $29,790 54.8% 70.9%
37 $14,528 $27,650 60.6% 66.8%
38 $14,693 $6,152 26.3%
39 $14,715 $9,192 49.9% 93.5%
40 $15,044 $6,706 28.2%
41 $15,235 $11,728 56.5% 80.8%
42 $15,270 $9,118 43.4% 72.0%
43 $15,342 $11,790 81.2% 82.4%
44 $15,644 $8,771 53.5% 84.6%
45 $15,745 $10,314 38.7% 54.9%
46 $15,975 $33,220 38.3% 74.5%
47 $16,378 $10,234 65.9% 70.6%
48 $16,487 $7,541 73.1% 83.1%
49 $16,547 $8,881 58.8% 70.2%
50 $16,774 $36,258 47.4% 93.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide earnings gap between California State University-Fullerton and Florida Atlantic University graduates?

Cal State Fullerton graduates earn $29,685 compared to Florida Atlantic's $20,687, likely reflecting California's higher entertainment industry wages and proximity to Hollywood studios. Fullerton's location in Orange County provides access to major media companies, theme parks, and production facilities. The 43% earnings difference also corresponds with California's higher cost of living and more competitive entertainment job market.

How do Ohio University's regional campuses maintain such low costs for arts management education?

Ohio University's six regional campuses offer net prices between $4,503 and $6,483, benefiting from shared administrative costs and state funding. These campuses focus on core curriculum delivery without expensive facilities like recording studios or broadcast equipment. However, graduation rates at these locations range from just 12.1% to 20%, suggesting students may transfer to the main campus or face completion challenges.

Is University of Central Florida worth the higher cost given its 75.1% graduation rate?

UCF's $10,650 net price delivers a 75.1% graduation rate, the highest among schools listed, and access to Orlando's tourism and entertainment infrastructure. Students benefit from internship opportunities at theme parks, production companies, and sports franchises. The combination of strong completion rates and industry connections justifies the moderate price increase over lower-cost alternatives.

Does University of Texas at El Paso's 99.92% acceptance rate indicate lower academic standards?

UTEP's near-universal acceptance reflects its mission as a border institution serving first-generation college students, not academic weakness. The 45.9% graduation rate and $21,508 median earnings demonstrate successful outcomes for students who complete the program. UTEP's location provides unique opportunities in bilingual media and cross-border entertainment markets that other programs cannot match.

Where do private institutions like Millikin University fit in the affordable arts management market?

Millikin University represents the private option at $8,837 net price, still under many public out-of-state costs. The 59.1% graduation rate exceeds most public alternatives while maintaining smaller class sizes and personalized attention. Private institutions often provide stronger alumni networks and industry connections that can offset the additional investment through better job placement rates.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.