Radio, Television, and Digital Communicationat Boston University
Graduates earn $37,225/yr in their first year — about 19.0% above the national Radio, Television, and Digital Communication average. Base-case 10-year earnings $561K; scenarios range from $514K to $570K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Boston University
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.
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 Boston 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 Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
How Boston University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Boston University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Boston University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Radio, Television, and Digital Communication offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Radio, Television, and Digital Communication trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Boston University
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.