Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Southern Maine Community College
serving 5,279 students in South Portland, ME.
Program Analysis
Southern Maine Community College's Radio, Television, and Digital Communication 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 Radio, Television, and Digital Communication 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 Radio, Television, and Digital Communication 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 Radio, Television, and Digital Communication reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
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 Southern Maine Community College
Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree
Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.