Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
41
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,650/yr (-21% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (144,300 openings/yr)
ROI 19.1x earnings multiple (7.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #48 of 140 Radio, Television, and Digital Communication programs Top 50%

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 $546K $540K $498K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.3x 19.1x 17.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.2x 7.1x 6.6x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 42% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 41 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,292
Out-of-state: $75,812 (7.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$22,584
20% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,500
8.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,196
100% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $24,650 per year, Radio, Television, and Digital Communication graduates from California State University-Fullerton earn below the $31,253 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 19.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $16,500 debt-to-$24,650 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #48 out of 140 programs, California State University-Fullerton's Radio, Television, and Digital Communication offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $24,650 to $49,196 over five years (100% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About California State University-Fullerton

With 87% of applicants admitted, California State University-Fullerton prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 36,956 in Fullerton, CA. With 47% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Fullerton →

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

Other Majors at California State University-Fullerton

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California State University-Fullerton's Radio, Television, and Digital Communication program score?
This program scores 41/100 — 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 California State University-Fullerton?
Lower starting pay at California State University-Fullerton 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 →