Audio & Video Technologyat American University
Graduates earn $19,337/yr in their first year — about 25.0% below the national Audio & Video Technology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $757K; scenarios range from $665K to $789K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at American University
While the career paths listed are national, your experience at American University will be deeply rooted in the Washington, D.C. market. This isn't a Hollywood or NYC production hub; it's the center for political media, broadcast journalism, documentary filmmaking, and non-profit communications. You'll find yourself competing for roles at places like PBS, C-SPAN, political consulting firms, and federal agencies rather than major film studios. These sectors often prioritize mission over profit, which can translate to more modest starting salaries compared to commercial entertainment centers. The program's strength lies in its proximity to power, offering unique internship and networking opportunities in political and advocacy media. To maximize your investment, aggressively pursue internships on Capitol Hill or with major news bureaus to build a specialized D.C.-centric portfolio that will be invaluable in this specific market.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to American University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Audio & Video Technology
How American University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at American University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at American University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Audio & Video Technology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Audio & Video Technology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Audio & Video Technology at American University
How does American University's Audio & Video Technology program score?
This program scores 16/100 — on the lower end for Audio & Video Technology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Audio & Video Technology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Audio & Video Technology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 50% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Audio & Video Technology earnings lower at American University?
Lower starting pay at American University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.