Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at El Paso Community College

El Paso, TX · Public · Associate Degree

one of the larger campuses at 22,893 students in El Paso, TX.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $17,558/yr fall 27% below the $23,947 national median for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 43.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Radio, Television, and Digital Communication programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 48% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication graduates.

At #6 of 16 Radio, Television, and Digital Communication programs, El Paso Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $28,653 show a 63% jump from the $17,558 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

Radio, Television, and Digital Communication offers 6 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

43 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
35
Low End
43
Score
46
High End
Earnings $17,558/yr (-27% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (52% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (144,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$308K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
47.1x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
8 of 8
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$6,548
Out-of-state: $10,628
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$28,653
63% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
Web and digital interface designers $98,090 +7.0% 33%
Producers and directors $83,480 +4.9% 58%
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof
Web and digital interface designers
$98,090
+7.0% growth 33% AI-proof
Producers and directors
$83,480
+4.9% growth 58% AI-proof

View all 8 career paths with full salary data →

About Radio, Television, and Digital Communication Careers

You’ll likely start your career getting hands-on experience, either on a fast-paced production set or behind a screen. As a production assistant or junior editor, you’ll be in the trenches—wrangling equipment, logging footage, and making rough cuts in software like Adobe Premiere. Or you might begin as a junior web designer, using tools like Figma to build wireframes and prototypes for websites and apps.

Read the full Radio, Television, and Digital Communication career guide →

Compare & Explore

Radio, Television, and Digital Communication Overview

Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Other Schools

Other Majors at El Paso Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at El Paso Community College?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Will AI affect Radio, Television, and Digital Communication careers?
The 48% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Why are Radio, Television, and Digital Communication earnings lower at El Paso Community College?
Starting salary is one data point. If El Paso Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication?
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication connects to 6 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
Is there demand for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication workers?
With approximately 144,300 annual openings across mapped careers, Radio, Television, and Digital Communication offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →