Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Illinois Media School-Chicago Campus

Chicago, IL · Private for-profit · Certificate

a smaller institution with 48 students in Chicago, IL.

Program Analysis

At $18,740 per year, Radio, Television, and Digital Communication graduates from Illinois Media School-Chicago Campus earn below the $23,947 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Career paths for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication carry above-average AI exposure (48% of tasks). The 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

At $9,500 against $18,740/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #11 ranking among 16 Radio, Television, and Digital Communication programs places Illinois Media School-Chicago Campus in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $18,740-to-$31,890 earnings arc over five years reflects a 70% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

The 6 apprenticeship pathways connected to Radio, Television, and Digital Communication reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

40 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
35
Low End
40
Score
43
High End
Earnings $18,740/yr (-22% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (52% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (144,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$329K
12.0% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
6.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$31,890
70% 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 Illinois Media School-Chicago Campus

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Illinois Media School-Chicago Campus?
At 40/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Radio, Television, and Digital Communication programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Radio, Television, and Digital Communication?
AI won't 'replace' Radio, Television, and Digital Communication careers outright, but it is likely to reduce job openings. We model 48% task exposure, which compresses employment probability in our scenarios.
Is Illinois Media School-Chicago Campus a good choice for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Can I learn Radio, Television, and Digital Communication through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 6 registered apprenticeships connected to Radio, Television, and Digital Communication occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
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 →