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Broadcasting & Digital Media at Southern Maine Community College

South Portland, ME · Public · Associate Degree · Radio, Television, and Digital Communication

serving 5,279 students in South Portland, ME.

Program Analysis

Southern Maine Community College's Broadcasting & Digital Media graduates start at $29,853/yr — above the $23,947 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 45.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Broadcasting & Digital Media career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,000 in median debt clears fast against $29,853 in annual earnings.

Southern Maine Community College ranks #3 among 16 Broadcasting & Digital Media programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $29,853 to $34,687 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

The 6 apprenticeship pathways connected to Broadcasting & Digital Media reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

51 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
47
Low End
51
Score
54
High End
Earnings $29,853/yr (25% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (52% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (144,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$355K
3.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
46.8x
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)
$7,594
Out-of-state: $13,354
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,000
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,687
16% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Broadcasting & Digital Media 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 →

Broadcasting & Digital Media Career Guide

Broadcasting & Digital Media opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Broadcasting & Digital Media career guide →

Compare & Explore

Broadcasting & Digital Media Overview

View all 16 schools offering Broadcasting & Digital Media →

Broadcasting & Digital Media at Other Schools

University of Georgia ($41,858) University of Missouri-Columbia ($38,728) Husson University ($33,271) Austin Community College District ($26,951) International College of Broadcasting ($25,882) Baker College ($24,167) SUNY Broome Community College ($20,705) Ohio Media School-Valley View ($18,896)

Other Majors at Southern Maine Community College

Nursing ($67,850) Allied Health Professions ($64,549) Electrical Installation ($47,382) Drafting & Design Technology ($45,319) Criminal Justice ($44,869) Electrical Engineering Technology ($43,181) IT Management ($41,813) Medical Assisting ($40,964)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Broadcasting & Digital Media degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 51/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Broadcasting & Digital Media at Southern Maine Community College?
This program scores 51/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Broadcasting & Digital Media graduates.
What's the AI risk for Broadcasting & Digital Media graduates from Southern Maine Community College?
AI won't eliminate Broadcasting & Digital Media careers, but it may reshape them. At Southern Maine Community College, a score of 51/100 already accounts for the 48% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
What makes Southern Maine Community College's Broadcasting & Digital Media program stand out?
Among 16 Broadcasting & Digital Media programs, Southern Maine Community College's #3 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Can I learn Broadcasting & Digital Media through an apprenticeship instead of Southern Maine Community College?
Yes — 6 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Broadcasting & Digital Media career paths, including Digital Video Editor (Existing Title: Film Or Video Tape Editor). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Southern Maine Community College.
What's the job market like for Broadcasting & Digital Media from Southern Maine Community College?
Job availability for Broadcasting & Digital Media is strong — 144,300 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Southern Maine Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in ME may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →