Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
25
Optimistic
24
Base Case
22
Pessimistic
Earnings
$24,191/yr (-23% vs median)
AI Risk
High (48% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (144,300 openings/yr)
ROI
3.9x earnings multiple
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 | $513K | $511K | $476K |
| Earnings Multiple | 3.9x | 3.9x | 3.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 48% | 42% | 32% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 25 | 24 | 22 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$130,080
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,400
11.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,985
86% growth from Year 1
About Columbia College Chicago
Columbia College Chicago has a 91% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 6,294 students in Chicago, IL. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.
See all programs and financial aid at Columbia College Chicago →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 Columbia College Chicago
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 Columbia College Chicago's Radio, Television, and Digital Communication program score?
This program scores 24/100 — 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 Columbia College Chicago?
Lower starting pay at Columbia College Chicago 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 →