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Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Appalachian State University

Boone, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $23,532/yr (-25% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (144,300 openings/yr)

ROI 16.8x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #81 of 140 Radio, Television, and Digital Communication programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Radio, Television, and Digital Communication graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$510K	$508K	$473K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	16.9x	16.8x	15.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.2x	5.2x	4.8x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	42%	32%
DegreeOutlook Score	37	36	35

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$30,164

Out-of-state: $98,148 (5.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$65,948

-119% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,500

11.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$44,173

88% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $23,532 per year, Radio, Television, and Digital Communication graduates from Appalachian State University earn below the $31,253 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 16.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,500 debt-to-$23,532 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #81 out of 140 programs, Appalachian State University's financial outcomes for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $23,532 to $44,173 over five years (88% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Appalachian State University

With 89% of applicants admitted, Appalachian State University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 19,304 students in Boone, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at Appalachian State University →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Web and digital interface designers $98,090/yr

Producers and directors $83,480/yr

View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Other Schools

Other Majors at Appalachian State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Appalachian State University's Radio, Television, and Digital Communication program score?

This program scores 36/100 — on the lower end for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Radio, Television, and Digital Communication to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Radio, Television, and Digital Communication careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 48% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Radio, Television, and Digital Communication earnings lower at Appalachian State University?

Lower starting pay at Appalachian State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →