Communications Tech

About Communications Tech

Wondering whether Communications Tech is worth studying? What matters is what graduates actually earn, where they end up working, and which colleges produce the most of them. Most graduates end up in this field, so it is worth knowing what a Multimedia Artist & Animator earns and how the role is projected to grow.

Audio production, video, and broadcasting technology, the technical side of media, with hands-on training for careers behind the camera and microphone. Four years after finishing the degree, graduates in this field earn a national median of $44,889, per College Scorecard. You can study it at 652 colleges and universities across the country, so location is rarely the limiting factor. About 15,672 students complete a degree in this area every year.

Median Earnings · 1yr

$25,301

Median Earnings · 4yr

$44,889

Colleges Offering

652

Graduates / Year

15,672

Specializations

4

Avg Net Price / yr

$28,869

Is a Communications Tech Degree Right for You?

Is the Investment Worth It?

At median 4-year earnings of $44,889 and an estimated $115,476 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 7.8 years. Compare your specific program carefully.

How Much Do Communications Tech Majors Earn?

Pay for Communications Tech graduates climbs fast in the first few years out. The median start is $25,301 one year after graduation, rising to $44,889 by year four, so the early salary is not the ceiling. Source: College Scorecard, across all 652 US institutions offering programs in this field.

What Can You Do With a Communications Tech Degree?

Career Paths for Communications Tech Graduates

Studying Communications Tech does not lock you into one job title. It opens 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from entry-level roles to senior ones, and Multimedia Artist & Animator pays the most among them at a median $102,030 a year. Each row below adds national wages, employment levels, and the 10-year growth outlook so you can weigh the rest.

Another common path leads to what a Film & Video Editor typically earns and how the field is trending.

Communications Tech Specializations

Communications Tech spans 4 specializations, and the choice among them will not swing your paycheck much: four-year earnings run from $36,451 to $47,916 across the whole group. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data. Source: College Scorecard.

The highest-paying specialization is the cost and outcomes for a Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support program, which is worth a closer look before settling on the broader field.

Best Colleges for Communications Tech

These are the 20 colleges that graduate the most students in Communications Tech, ranked by how many completed the degree in the most recent reporting year, not by selectivity or prestige. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate for each one come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.

By that measure, the list starts with the cost and admissions data for Savannah College of Art and Design.

Ranked by number of Communications Tech graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →

How Communications Tech Compares to Similar Majors

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Communications Tech degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.

Communications Tech Degree: Pros & Cons

Weigh the financial trade-offs in Communications Tech carefully before committing to it. The 2 strengths and 3 concerns below come from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts, so you can see exactly what is driving the caution.

Communications Tech Degree: Frequently Asked Questions