by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you want to be involved in the world of broadcast or film production without being in the spotlight, a degree in audiovisual communications might be right for you.
This degree will teach you everything you need to know about television and film production so you can play an integral role behind the scenes. You will take classes on lighting, sound recording, camera operation, studio operations, video editing and mixing, and television and film production in order to master the necessary skills. These classes will provide you with the ability to capture scenes and stun an audience.
You may choose to specialize in an area of interest. Concentrations available at some colleges are Photographic and Film Technology or Video Technology, Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology, or a Recording Arts Technology Technician.
Audiovisual Communications was the 152nd most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 6,229 degrees in this year alone. This 439 less than the prior year, a decrease of 7.0%.
This year's Best Audiovisual Communications Schools ranking compares 40 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom audiovisual rankings further below.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
With an online bachelor's degree in communication you'll have the opportunity to pursue a multitude of career options. From journalism and social media, to public relations, advertising and mass media, earning your BA in communication will allow you to strategize and communicate your ideas.
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A career in Audiovisual Communications is great for someone who enjoys setting a scene and capturing the perfect shot. Those who are successful in this career have a strong background in video technology and strong technical skills in order to work with sophisticated cameras and editing software. Professionals are also creative and detail oriented to ensure recorded scenes are unique and interesting.
Hours within the Audiovisual Communications field may be irregular depending on the type of job you pursue. Those involved with broadcast often work fulltime with occasional extended hours depending on project deadlines. Those who pursue a career within the motion pictures industry will work long hours while filming a movie, but may be unemployed between jobs. Some graduates may choose to pursue jobs with television stations or studios that will have more consistent hours.
An internship or summer job within the Audiovisual Communications field would be extremely beneficial to students. These will provide students with hands-on experience working with production equipment and software and will give them the opportunity to build connections within their desired field. The experience will also make graduates standout when looking for a job after graduation.
audiovisual communications degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional audiovisual certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Audiovisual degree levels vary. You can get anything from a in audiovisual communications to the highest audiovisual degree, a . Audiovisual Communications programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| 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 |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to audiovisual, with approximately 27.9% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for audiovisual workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 25.8% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 22.6% |
| High School Diploma | 21.7% |
| Some College Courses | 15.2% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 14.5% |
See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in audiovisual communications have received.
This of course varies depending on which audiovisual career you choose.
A degree in Audiovisual Communications is the basis for many career paths. Some graduates decide to work in news broadcast while others pursue careers in the motion picture industry or with television networks. This major provides the knowledge and skills to work in any type of audiovisual job.
Want a job when you graduate with your audiovisual degree? Audiovisual Communications careers are expected to grow 9.5% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to audiovisual communications.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Equipment Technicians | 94,000 | 12.8% |
| Film and Video Editors | 40,000 | 17.0% |
| Broadcast Technicians | 32,900 | -3.2% |
| Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators | 26,900 | 7.2% |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | 18,100 | 6.5% |
Audiovisual Communications graduates between 2017-2019 reported earning an average of $23,135 in the 2019-2020 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $8,515 to as high as $51,063. As you might expect, salaries for audiovisual graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for audiovisual communications graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers audiovisual grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Film and Video Editors | $86,830 |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | $63,500 |
| Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators | $61,750 |
| Audio and Video Equipment Technicians | $48,940 |
| Broadcast Technicians | $46,770 |
With over 662 different audiovisual 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 audiovisual school rankings to help you with this.
One of 3 majors within the Communications Technologies & Support area of study, Audiovisual Communications has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Graphic Communications | 7,518 |
| Communications Technology | 915 |
| Other Communication Technology | 164 |
