Home › Columbia College Chicago › Radio, Television, and Digital Communication

Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

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

Ranked #134 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	$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

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$107,152

18% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,400

11.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$44,985

86% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $24,191/yr fall 23% below the $31,253 national median for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 3.9x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

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

The $23,400 debt-to-$24,191 income ratio translates to about 12 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #134 out of 140 programs, Columbia College Chicago's financial outcomes for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $24,191 to $44,985 over five years (86% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

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

View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

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 →