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Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $21,182/yr (-32% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

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

ROI 12.8x earnings multiple (4.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #113 of 140 Radio, Television, and Digital Communication programs

Program Analysis

While the career paths listed show national potential, your initial earnings will be shaped by the local El Paso media market. This is a smaller, more community-focused landscape compared to major hubs like Austin or Los Angeles, which often means starting roles in local news stations, radio production, or marketing for regional businesses. The lower starting salaries reflect this local cost of living and market scale, not necessarily the quality of your UTEP education. You're gaining hands-on skills in a bilingual, bicultural environment, which is a unique asset. To maximize your degree's value, build a powerful portfolio and be prepared to relocate to a larger media market post-graduation for higher-paying opportunities. Your UTEP foundation can be the launchpad, but your career trajectory may depend on your willingness to move.

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	$499K	$499K	$467K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.8x	12.8x	12.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.9x	4.9x	4.6x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	42%	32%
DegreeOutlook Score	31	31	29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$38,976

Out-of-state: $102,048 (4.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$42,904

-10% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,750

11.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$41,552

96% growth from Year 1

About The University of Texas at El Paso

A 100% acceptance rate means The University of Texas at El Paso is accessible to most applicants, with 20,547 students enrolled in El Paso, TX. With 61% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Texas at El Paso →

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 Texas at El Paso

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 The University of Texas at El Paso's Radio, Television, and Digital Communication program score?

This program scores 31/100 — 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 The University of Texas at El Paso?

Lower starting pay at The University of Texas at El Paso 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 →