Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
What Radio, Television, and Digital Communication Graduates Do
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.
With experience, you’ll transition from assisting to leading. You could become a producer, directing shoots and shaping a story from script to screen, or a senior digital designer, owning the user experience for a major brand. The highest earners in this field often advance into management, leading creative teams and controlling six-figure budgets.
While software and AI are automating some routine tasks like basic editing and layout generation, they can’t replicate human creativity. Your ability to develop a compelling vision, manage a team on a chaotic film set, or understand a client’s needs remains essential. This is why the industry is shifting, with strong demand in dynamic digital design and production leadership roles.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 6 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Digital Video Editor (Existing Title: Film Or Video Tape Editor)
RAPIDS 2070CB |
Competency | Competency | $50K – $70,980 – $102K | 4.0% |
|
Director, Television
RAPIDS 970 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $60K – $83,480 – $131K | 4.9% |
|
Film Or Videotape Editor
RAPIDS 127 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $50K – $70,980 – $102K | 4.0% |
|
Health Information Management Privacy And Security Officer
RAPIDS 2073CB |
Competency | Competency | $100K – $136,550 – $179K | 4.5% |
|
Multimedia Producer (Existing Title: Tv Director)
RAPIDS 0970CB |
Competency | Competency | $60K – $83,480 – $131K | 4.9% |
|
Program Assistant
RAPIDS 913 |
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs |
Time | $60K – $83,480 – $131K | 4.9% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Best Schools for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
16 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and AI-proof analysis.
| # | School | Score | EarningsEarn | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Georgia Athens, GA |
62 53–65 |
$41,858/yr | 65.7x |
| 2 | University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO |
52 49–54 |
$38,728/yr | 26.4x |
| 3 | Southern Maine Community College South Portland, ME |
51 47–54 |
$29,853/yr | 44.7x |
| 4 | Austin Community College District Austin, TX |
51 47–53 |
$26,951/yr | 51.8x |
| 5 | Husson University Bangor, ME |
45 41–48 |
$33,271/yr | 14.0x |
| 6 | El Paso Community College El Paso, TX |
43 35–46 |
$17,558/yr | 42.8x |
| 7 | Ohio Media School-Valley View Valley View, OH |
40 35–43 |
$18,896/yr | — |
| 8 | Colorado Media School Denver, CO |
40 35–43 |
$18,896/yr | — |
| 9 | Ohio Media School-Columbus Columbus, OH |
40 35–43 |
$18,896/yr | — |
| 10 | Illinois Media School Chicago, IL |
40 35–43 |
$18,740/yr | — |
| 11 | Illinois Media School-Chicago Campus Chicago, IL |
40 35–43 |
$18,740/yr | — |
| 12 | Ohio Media School-Cincinnati Norwood, OH |
39 33–41 |
$15,006/yr | — |
| 13 | Miami Media School Doral, FL |
39 33–41 |
$15,006/yr | — |
| 14 | International College of Broadcasting Dayton, OH |
38 33–41 |
$25,882/yr | 9.4x |
| 15 | Baker College Owosso, MI |
38 32–40 |
$24,167/yr | 11.8x |
| 16 | SUNY Broome Community College Binghamton, NY |
38 31–40 |
$20,705/yr | 19.0x |
Highest Earning Radio, Television, and Digital Communication Programs
Schools where Radio, Television, and Digital Communication graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| University of Georgia | $41,858/yr | 62 |
| University of Missouri-Columbia | $38,728/yr | 52 |
| Husson University | $33,271/yr | 45 |
| Southern Maine Community College | $29,853/yr | 51 |
| Austin Community College District | $26,951/yr | 51 |
| International College of Broadcasting | $25,882/yr | 38 |
| Baker College | $24,167/yr | 38 |
| SUNY Broome Community College | $20,705/yr | 38 |
| Ohio Media School-Valley View | $18,896/yr | 40 |
| Colorado Media School | $18,896/yr | 40 |
Best ROI for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Georgia | 65.7x | $41,858/yr | 62 |
| Austin Community College District | 51.8x | $26,951/yr | 51 |
| Southern Maine Community College | 44.7x | $29,853/yr | 51 |
| El Paso Community College | 42.8x | $17,558/yr | 43 |
| University of Missouri-Columbia | 26.4x | $38,728/yr | 52 |
| SUNY Broome Community College | 19.0x | $20,705/yr | 38 |
| Husson University | 14.0x | $33,271/yr | 45 |
| Baker College | 11.8x | $24,167/yr | 38 |
| International College of Broadcasting | 9.4x | $25,882/yr | 38 |
Related Majors
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Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Radio, Television, and Digital Communication degree programs stack up on earnings, AI disruption risk, and ROI.