Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, MO · Public · Certificate

A 77% acceptance rate means University of Missouri-Columbia is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 23,118 students in Columbia, MO.

Program Analysis

University of Missouri-Columbia Radio, Television, and Digital Communication graduates command $38,728/yr out of the gate, well above the $23,947 national median. That 62% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 28.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication graduates.

The $20,000 debt-to-$38,728 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #2 out of 16 programs, University of Missouri-Columbia's Radio, Television, and Digital Communication program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

With 6 registered apprenticeships mapped to Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
49
Low End
52
Score
54
High End
Earnings $38,728/yr (62% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (52% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (144,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$405K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
28.7x
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)
$14,130
Out-of-state: $34,338
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
6.2 months of Year 1 earnings

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 University of Missouri-Columbia

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 52/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at University of Missouri-Columbia?
A score of 52/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Radio, Television, and Digital Communication field.
Should I worry about AI if I study Radio, Television, and Digital Communication?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $405,181 in decade earnings vs $405,181 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Missouri-Columbia's Radio, Television, and Digital Communication program stand out?
Ranked #2 of 16 programs nationally, University of Missouri-Columbia lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication graduates?
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?
The career paths mapped to Radio, Television, and Digital Communication have roughly 144,300 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →