Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at State University of New York at New Paltz

New Paltz, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,551/yr (-25% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (144,300 openings/yr)
ROI 16.6x earnings multiple (7.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #54 of 140 Radio, Television, and Digital Communication programs Top 50%

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 $575K $566K $518K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.9x 16.6x 15.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.8x 7.7x 7.0x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 42% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 40 38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$34,096
Out-of-state: $73,736 (7.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,924
-117% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,332
9.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,724
120% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $23,551/yr fall 25% below the $31,253 national median for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 16.6x 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 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $19,332 debt-to-$23,551 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #54 out of 140 programs, State University of New York at New Paltz's Radio, Television, and Digital Communication offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $23,551 to $51,724 over five years (120% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About State University of New York at New Paltz

With a 59% acceptance rate, State University of New York at New Paltz is moderately selective, enrolling 6,022 students in New Paltz, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at State University of New York at New Paltz →

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 State University of New York at New Paltz

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 State University of New York at New Paltz's Radio, Television, and Digital Communication program score?
This program scores 40/100 — 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 State University of New York at New Paltz?
Lower starting pay at State University of New York at New Paltz 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 →