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Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $21,377/yr (-32% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

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

ROI 10.7x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #119 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	$491K	$491K	$461K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.7x	10.7x	10.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.5x	4.5x	4.3x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	42%	32%
DegreeOutlook Score	29	29	27

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$45,744

Out-of-state: $108,000 (4.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$43,664

5% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$27,044

15.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$40,617

90% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Western Kentucky University's Radio, Television, and Digital Communication graduates start at $21,377/yr, trailing the $31,253 national average by 32%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 10.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,044 debt load exceeds a year of the $21,377 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #119 out of 140 programs, Western Kentucky 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 $21,377 to $40,617 over five years (90% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Western Kentucky University

A 97% acceptance rate means Western Kentucky University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 12,267 in Bowling Green, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Kentucky 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 Western Kentucky University

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 Western Kentucky University's Radio, Television, and Digital Communication program score?

This program scores 29/100 — on the lower end for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Do Western Kentucky University Radio, Television, and Digital Communication graduates earn enough to justify the loans?

The debt-to-income ratio of 1.3x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.

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 Western Kentucky University?

Lower starting pay at Western Kentucky University 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 →