Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Appalachian State University
Boone, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
35
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)
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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
11.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,173
88% growth from Year 1
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
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 →