Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA · Private for-profit · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
27
Optimistic
27
Base Case
25
Pessimistic
Earnings
$25,425/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk
High (48% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (144,300 openings/yr)
ROI
3.6x earnings multiple
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 | $397K | $408K | $398K |
| Earnings Multiple | 3.5x | 3.6x | 3.5x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 48% | 42% | 32% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 27 | 27 | 25 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$112,096
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,473
11.1 months of Year 1 earnings
About Academy of Art University
a compact campus enrolling 4,131 students in San Francisco, CA. 42% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at Academy of Art University →Top Career Paths
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Web and digital interface designers
$98,090/yr
Producers and directors
$83,480/yr
Compare & Explore
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Other Schools
Other Majors at Academy of Art University
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Academy of Art University's Radio, Television, and Digital Communication program score?
This program scores 27/100 — 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 Academy of Art University?
Lower starting pay at Academy of Art 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 →