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2023 Radio, Television & Digital Communication Degree Guide

Our society is highly connected through different forms of communication from smartphones to tablets to computers. Radio, Television, and Digital Communication is a field that teaches you how to plan, produce, and distribute all different forms of communication through numerous communication channels. As part of the curriculum, students will take classes to learn about the evolving technology used in production, the historical and cultural impact of media, communication theory and criticism, and the laws and policies surrounding media.

Depending on the college you choose, you may also have the ability to specialize in either Radio and Television or Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia.

Rapid Growth in Radio, Television & Digital Communication Degrees Awarded

#61 Most Popular Major
17.7k Degrees Awarded
3.6% Increase in Graduates

Radio, Television & Digital Communication was the 61st most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 17,669 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 633 over the prior year, a growth of 3.6%.

Our 2023 Best Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools ranking analyzes 207 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for radio, television and digital communication students. Explore this or one of our many other custom digital communication rankings further below.

2023 Best Colleges for Radio, Television & Digital Communication
2023 Overall Best Radio, Television & Digital Communication Colleges >

Best Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools by Degree

Associate Degrees in Radio, Television & Digital Communication
Bachelor's Degrees in Radio, Television & Digital Communication
Master's Degrees in Radio, Television & Digital Communication
Doctorate Degrees in Radio, Television & Digital Communication

Requirements for Getting a Degree in Radio, Television & Digital Communication

Students interested in pursuing a career in Radio, Television, and Digital Communication are often creative and have strong writing and oral communication skills. Since most information will be directed at the general public, it is important to write clearly and concisely. Computer and technology skills are also helpful.

Depending on your career choice, work hours can vary. While producers rarely work set hours and often work on evenings and weekends, graphic designers or communications specialists may have more set schedules.

Communication fields are competitive, making previous experience a necessity. Many campuses have radio or television stations that give students the ability to practice their communication skills. Internships or summer jobs provide students with valuable experience that will make them more attractive to employers. Internships also allow students to meet people in the business who will make great contacts once they begin their career.

Digital Communication Degree Program Entry Requirements

New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Specific digital communication careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.

Radio, Television & Digital Communication Degree Types

Digital Communication degree levels vary. Radio, Television & Digital Communication programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest digital communication degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a digital communication degree varies depending on the program.

Degree Credit Requirements Typical Program Length
Associate Degree 60-70 credits 2 years
Bachelor’s Degree 120 credits 4 years
Master’s Degree 50-70 credits 1-3 years
Doctorate Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation At least 4 years

A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to digital communication, with approximately 53.7% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for digital communication workers below.

Level of Education Percentage of Workers
Bachelor’s Degree 54.3%
Master’s Degree 15.7%
High School Diploma 7.9%
Some College Courses 6.9%
Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) 6.4%

Most workers in digital communication have at least a bachelor's degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in radio, television and digital communication careers have.

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This of course varies depending on which digital communication career you choose.

Digital Communication Careers

Average Number of Jobs
$30.7k Average Starting Salary
8% Growth Job Outlook 2016-26

A degree in Radio, Television, and Digital Communication offers many job options to graduates. Previous graduates work for news conglomerates, motion picture studios, and communication agencies. Some possible career options with this degree include fields such as digital media specialist, digital communications specialist, radio or television producing, reporting, announcing, and public relations.

Solid Growth Projected for Digital Communication Careers

Want a job when you graduate with your digital communication degree? Radio, Television & Digital Communication careers are expected to grow 8.1% between 2016 and 2026.

The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to radio, television and digital communication.

Occupation Name Projected Jobs Expected Growth
Managers 1,071,700 8.0%
Producers and Directors 151,200 12.2%
Film and Video Editors 40,000 17.0%
Communications Professors 37,500 10.0%
Radio and Television Announcers 36,500 -11.6%

Digital Communication Degree Salary Potential

Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates between 2017-2019 reported earning an average of $30,712 in the 2019-2020 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $11,978 to as high as $67,997. As you might expect, salaries for digital communication graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.

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Highest Paid Digital Communication Careers

Salaries for radio, television and digital communication graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers digital communication grads often go into.

Occupation Name Median Average Salary
Managers $115,590
Broadcast News Analysts $91,990
Producers and Directors $89,840
Film and Video Editors $86,830
Communications Professors $78,090

Getting Your Radio, Television & Digital Communication Degree

With over 991 different digital communication degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased digital communication school rankings to help you with this.

One of 5 majors within the Communication & Journalism area of study, Radio, Television & Digital Communication has other similar majors worth exploring.

Digital Communication Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Media Arts 10,069
Radio & Television 6,559
Other Radio, Television, & Digital Communication 1,041

View All Digital Communication Concentrations >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Communication & Media Studies 66,787
Public Relations & Advertising 21,099
Journalism 13,552
Communication & Journalism (Other) 1,128
Publishing 336

View All Digital Communication Related Majors >

References

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