Audiovisual Communications Technologies at Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, IA · Public · Associate Degree · Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians

with a smaller student body of 3,029 in Council Bluffs, IA.

Program Analysis

Iowa Western Community College's Audiovisual Communications Technologies graduates start at $24,428/yr — above the $22,234 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 28.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Audiovisual Communications Technologies carry above-average AI exposure (50% of tasks). The 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $11,000 in median debt clears fast against $24,428 in annual earnings.

A #10 ranking among 26 Audiovisual Communications Technologies programs places Iowa Western Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $24,428-to-$42,920 earnings arc over five years reflects a 76% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

The 10 apprenticeship pathways connected to Audiovisual Communications Technologies reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

35 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
28
Low End
35
Score
38
High End
Earnings $24,428/yr (10% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (50% shielded)
Job Market Medium (20,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$429K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
31.6x
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)
$13,560
Out-of-state: $13,860
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000
5.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,920
76% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Audiovisual Communications Technologies graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Film and video editors $70,980 +4.0% 47%
Camera operators, television, video, and film $68,810 +1.2% 58%
Court reporters and simultaneous captioners $67,310 -0.3% 4%
Film and video editors
$70,980
+4.0% growth 47% AI-proof
Camera operators, television, video, and film
$68,810
+1.2% growth 58% AI-proof
Court reporters and simultaneous captioners
$67,310
-0.3% growth 4% AI-proof

View all 8 career paths with full salary data →

About Audiovisual Communications Technologies Careers

Your career could start on the ground as an audio and video technician, the person setting up microphones, running cables, and operating sound mixers for live concerts or corporate events. Alternatively, you might find your place in a post-production suite as a film and video editor, meticulously piecing together raw footage, color grading scenes, and syncing audio to create a polished final cut for a web series or commercial.

Read the full Audiovisual Communications Technologies career guide →

Compare & Explore

Audiovisual Communications Technologies Overview

Audiovisual Communications Technologies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Iowa Western Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 35/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Audiovisual Communications Technologies at Iowa Western Community College?
This program scores 35/100 — on the lower end for Audiovisual Communications Technologies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Should I worry about AI if I study Audiovisual Communications Technologies?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $255,571 in decade earnings vs $428,681 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Are there apprenticeship options for Audiovisual Communications Technologies?
Audiovisual Communications Technologies connects to 10 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.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →