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Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,133/yr (-29% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (144,300 openings/yr)
ROI 18.5x earnings multiple (6.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #78 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 $506K $504K $471K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.6x 18.5x 17.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.8x 6.7x 6.3x
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)
$27,252
Out-of-state: $74,792 (6.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$16,452
40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,000
8.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,918
94% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $22,133/yr fall 29% below the $31,253 national median for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 18.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Radio, Television, and Digital Communication career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $16,000 against $22,133/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #78 ranking among 140 Radio, Television, and Digital Communication programs places California State University-Los Angeles in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $22,133-to-$42,918 earnings arc over five years reflects a 94% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Los Angeles

California State University-Los Angeles has a 92% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 21,478 students enrolled in Los Angeles, CA. With 66% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $16,452 over four years — 40% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Los Angeles →

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

Compare this program → View all 140 schools offering Radio, Television, and Digital Communication →

Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Other Schools

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($76,507) Rochester Institute of Technology ($71,549) Miami University-Hamilton ($50,938) Miami University-Middletown ($50,938) Miami University-Oxford ($50,938) Purdue University Global ($48,015) New York University ($47,666) Fordham University ($45,931)

Other Majors at California State University-Los Angeles

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($98,811) Civil Engineering ($73,178) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($63,981) Mechanical Engineering ($55,405) Food Science and Technology ($52,806) Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($50,428) Fire Protection ($48,289) Air Transportation ($46,267)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Radio, Television, and Digital Communication trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 36/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at California State University-Los Angeles?
At 36/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Radio, Television, and Digital Communication programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at California State University-Los Angeles?
The 48% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is California State University-Los Angeles a good choice for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-Los Angeles's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →