by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 308 U.S. colleges awarded 7,355 degrees and certificates in Audiovisual Communications. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 30% of graduates. College Factual ranks 148 schools in its 2027 Best Audiovisual Communications Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $22,574 one year after completing, rising to $37,970 after four years.
If 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.
A major in Audiovisual Communications covers Audiovisual Communications Technologies/technicians.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., audiovisual communications draws strong interest, with 7,355 degrees awarded annually. 308 colleges award audiovisual communications degrees, an average of 24 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 712.
By level, the 7,355 awards include 1,867 certificates, 2,047 associate degrees, 1,221 bachelor’s degrees and 2,192 master’s degrees.
Women earned 29% of audiovisual communications degrees and certificates in the latest year (2,110 of 7,355). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,760) and Hispanic or Latino (2,146), and international students earned 109.
College Factual ranks 148 schools in its 2027 Best Audiovisual Communications Schools ranking, including 66 for associate degrees, 22 for bachelor’s degrees and 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks audiovisual communications schools within 25 states. In all, 308 colleges offer audiovisual communications programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Audiovisual Communications Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common audiovisual communications credential is the master’s degree: 2,192 of the 7,355 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to audiovisual communications call most for Active Listening, Critical Thinking and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of Computers and Electronics, Communications and Media and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Near Vision, Oral Comprehension and Oral Expression.
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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an audiovisual communications degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1,867 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,047 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,221 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,192 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to audiovisual communications, at 37.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 37.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 21.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 21.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 12.1% |
| Some college courses | 6.3% |
| First professional degree | 0.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
| Master’s degree | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
8 occupations are related to Audiovisual Communications, with an average median salary of $75,582; the strongest outlook belongs to Lighting Technicians, at 13.2% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Video Operator, Operations Technician, Sound Controller and Video Production Assistant.
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.
The occupation related to audiovisual communications with the most projected jobs is Disc Jockeys, Except Radio, at 386,017.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | 386,017 | -3.0% |
| Audio and Video Technicians | 360,660 | 6.8% |
| Film and Video Editors | 354,104 | 10.0% |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | 294,018 | -0.5% |
| Broadcast Technicians | 117,697 | 3.5% |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | 107,517 | 10.9% |
| Lighting Technicians | 99,715 | 13.2% |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | 51,457 | 8.7% |
Audiovisual Communications graduates earn a median $22,574 one year after completing their program, $37,970 after four years and $33,987 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $22,574 |
| 4 years | $37,970 |
| 5 years | $33,987 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to audiovisual communications is Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film, with a median salary of $92,043.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $92,043 |
| Film and Video Editors | $89,576 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | $87,328 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $76,955 |
| Broadcast Technicians | $74,153 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $73,086 |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | $66,427 |
| Lighting Technicians | $45,092 |
Audiovisual Communications includes 5 concentrations that together award 7,355 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Recording Arts Technology/Technician (3,679), Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician (1,491) and Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician (1,329). It has 3 similar majors in the Communications Technology/Support field, which together award 10,386 degrees a year; the largest are Graphic Communications (9,158), Communications Technologies/Technicians (1,042) and Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services, Other (186). Browse all Communications Technology/Support majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Graphic Communications | 9,158 |
| Communications Technologies/Technicians | 1,042 |
| Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services, Other | 186 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
