Media and Cinema Studies

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What is Media and Cinema Studies?

Media and Cinema Studies will prepare you for careers in media, information, creative, and visual industries. Students in this major learn to interact with everyday media technologies. Our interdisciplinary curriculum emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving. If you join our program, you'll learn how to navigate an ever-changing media landscape both today and in the future. You’ll be able to understand the media you consume as well as produce complex media of your own. You will also have the flexibility to design a path of study based on your own interests and goals.

Career Options

Advertising
Film
Market research
Marketing
Media
News
Production
Public relations
Screen writing
Script writing
Television
Videography

Post-Graduation Success¹

70% employed or continuing education

51% employed after graduation

19% attending graduate school

$34,167 average starting annual income

Sample employer destinations: [Self-Employed] (1), All3Media International (1), Avenue B2B Marketing Strategy and Activation (1) View All

Sample grad school destinations: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, DePaul University, Illinois Institute of Technology View All

Program Resources

College of Media Program Webpage Degree Requirements

Review Criteria

First-Year Major-Specific Criteria

Strong English and humanities coursework and performance
AP English Language or AP English Literature preferred (if available at high school)
Experience in newspaper, yearbook, broadcasting, blogging, or using social media for promotion
Interest in the connection of film and society.

View All Review Criteria

Transfer Criteria

Transfer Handbook

Graduation & Retention²

4.0 years to degree

100% first-year retention rate

82% four-year graduation rate

82% six-year graduation rate

Annual Program Costs³

Illinois Resident

Tuition: $14,032
Fees: $5,182
Expenses: $19,558
Total: $38,772

Non-Resident

Tuition: $36,708
Fees: $5,182
Expenses:$19,898
Total: $61,788

International

Tuition: $37,750
Fees: $5,182
Expenses: $19,898
Total: $62,830

Related Majors

Advertising - COM

Journalism - COM

Sociology - LAS

Theatre Studies - FAA

¹ Post-graduate data was collected through the Illini Success initiative, which primarily relies on self-reported survey data sources. Statistics are aggregated from the past three years. Please note that total compensation may be greater than annual salary as other forms of compensation (e.g., signing bonus, commission, benefits) are not included. For more information on Illini Success data and methods, please visit the Illini Success website. For average wage or salary information five years after entry into an occupation, visit the Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.

² Graduation and retention data comes from several majors within a similar interest area. Data may not yet be available for newly created programs. Years-to-degree data is only available for programs from which you can earn a degree. Retention and graduation rates are only available for programs that you can apply directly into. Retention rates reflect retention to the university, not necessarily retention within the major.

³ "Expenses" are estimated and include books, supplies, housing, and other living expenses. The exact amount you’ll pay depends on where you decide to live, the meal plan you choose, and your overall lifestyle. To learn more about costs, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid website. To learn the average monthly student loan payment over a period of 20 years based on estimated cost, visit the Illinois College2Career website.