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Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $29,205/yr (-7% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (144,300 openings/yr)

ROI 8.8x earnings multiple

Ranked #88 of 140 Radio, Television, and Digital Communication programs

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	$502K	$501K	$468K
Earnings Multiple	8.8x	8.8x	8.3x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	42%	32%
DegreeOutlook Score	34	34	31

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$56,760

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$64,164

-13% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$27,000

11.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$45,968

57% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $29,205/yr, roughly in line with the $31,253 national median for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

At 8.8x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,000 debt-to-$29,205 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #88 out of 140 programs, Central Michigan University's financial outcomes for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $29,205 to $45,968 over five years (57% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Central Michigan University

Central Michigan University accepts 91% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 9,916 students in Mount Pleasant, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Central Michigan 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

Other Majors at Central Michigan 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 Central Michigan University's Radio, Television, and Digital Communication program score?

This program scores 34/100 — 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.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →