Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Boston University

Boston, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
33
Optimistic
33
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,225/yr (19% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (144,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #94 of 140 Radio, Television, and Digital Communication programs

Program Analysis

While the initial earnings might seem modest for a top-tier school, your investment here is in access and reputation. Boston University's College of Communication is a powerhouse with a sprawling, influential alumni network deeply embedded in media hubs like New York and Los Angeles. You're not just getting a degree; you're gaining entry into a pre-vetted professional circle. The Boston location itself provides a rich ecosystem of internships at places like WGBH, major ad agencies, and production houses, letting you build a real-world resume before you even graduate. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on production, preparing you for the technical realities of the industry. Your key move is to specialize early. Don't be a generalist. Focus intensely on a high-value craft like documentary filmmaking, UX design, or production management to stand out in a competitive, rapidly changing field.

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 $570K $561K $514K
Earnings Multiple 2.2x 2.2x 2.0x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 42% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 33 28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$260,672
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$107,984
59% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,167
7.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,649
58% growth from Year 1

About Boston University

Only 11% of applicants gain admission to Boston University, reflecting elite selectivity, serving 17,850 students in Boston, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $107,984 — 59% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Boston University →

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

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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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Boston University?
A score of 33/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Radio, Television, and Digital Communication careers?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $513,740 in decade earnings vs $569,538 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Boston University a hidden gem for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication?
After financial aid, the average student pays $107,984 over four years — 59% below the $260,672 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →