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Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $31,911/yr (2% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

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

ROI 10.6x earnings multiple (3.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #58 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	$508K	$506K	$472K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.7x	10.6x	9.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.8x	3.8x	3.6x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	42%	32%
DegreeOutlook Score	40	39	36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$47,600

Out-of-state: $132,800 (3.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$88,600

-86% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,875

9.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$47,815

50% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

The University of Alabama's Radio, Television, and Digital Communication program produces graduates earning $31,911/yr — within striking distance of the $31,253 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Radio, Television, and Digital Communication programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Radio, Television, and Digital Communication's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,875 represents roughly 9 months of the $31,911 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #58 of 140 Radio, Television, and Digital Communication programs, The University of Alabama scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $31,911 to $47,815 over five years — a 50% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About The University of Alabama

A 76% acceptance rate means The University of Alabama is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 32,323 in Tuscaloosa, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Alabama →

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 The University of Alabama

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at The University of Alabama?

A score of 39/100 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 $472,228 in decade earnings vs $507,786 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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