by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 561 U.S. colleges awarded 19,210 degrees and certificates in Radio, Television & Digital Communication. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 60% of graduates. College Factual ranks 282 schools in its 2027 Best Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $30,342 one year after completing, rising to $49,806 after four years.
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.
A degree in Radio, Television & Digital Communication explores Radio, Television, And Digital Communication.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, radio, television & digital communication is a widely-pursued major, with 19,210 degrees awarded annually. 561 colleges award radio, television & digital communication degrees, an average of 34 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 731.
By level, the 19,210 awards include 795 certificates, 1,775 associate degrees, 11,548 bachelor’s degrees, 4,917 master’s degrees and 99 doctorates.
Women earned 56% of radio, television & digital communication degrees and certificates in the latest year (10,804 of 19,210). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (8,366) and Hispanic or Latino (3,958), and international students earned 2,302.
College Factual ranks 282 schools in its 2027 Best Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools ranking, including 56 for associate degrees, 161 for bachelor’s degrees and 58 for master’s degrees. It also ranks radio, television & digital communication schools within 33 states. In all, 561 colleges offer radio, television & digital communication programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common radio, television & digital communication credential is the bachelor’s degree: 11,548 of the 19,210 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to radio, television & digital communication call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of English Language, Communications and Media and Computers and Electronics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
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.
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How long a radio, television & digital communication degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 795 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,775 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 11,548 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 4,917 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 99 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to radio, television & digital communication, at 33.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 33.8% |
| Master’s degree | 33.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 7.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 6.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 6.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.6% |
| Some college courses | 3.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.5% |
| First professional degree | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
18 occupations are related to Radio, Television & Digital Communication, with an average median salary of $97,600; the strongest outlook belongs to Web and Digital Interface Designers, at 13.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Communication Instructor, Communication Studies Professor, Communication Lecturer and Rhetoric Professor.
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.
The occupation related to radio, television & digital communication with the most projected jobs is Communications Teachers, Postsecondary, at 919,494.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | 919,494 | -1.5% |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | 509,308 | 13.0% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Producers and Directors | 355,369 | -3.9% |
| Film and Video Editors | 354,104 | 10.0% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Video Game Designers | 207,860 | 2.6% |
Radio, Television & Digital Communication graduates earn a median $30,342 one year after completing their program, $49,806 after four years and $47,545 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $30,342 |
| 4 years | $49,806 |
| 5 years | $47,545 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to radio, television & digital communication is Wind Energy Development Managers, with a median salary of $169,952.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $108,419 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,169 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
Radio, Television & Digital Communication includes 3 concentrations that together award 19,210 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia (12,149), Radio and Television (6,160) and Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, Other (901). It has 5 similar majors in the Communication & Journalism field, which together award 89,273 degrees a year; the largest are Communication, General (55,601), Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (20,547) and Journalism (11,474). Browse all Communication & Journalism majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia | 12,149 |
| Radio and Television | 6,160 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, Other | 901 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Communication, General | 55,601 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 20,547 |
| Journalism | 11,474 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | 1,269 |
| Publishing | 382 |
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