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HUMANITIES
Communications Tech
Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About Communications Tech
Audio production, video, and broadcasting technology — the technical side of media, with hands-on training for careers behind the camera and microphone. Graduates earn a national median of $44,889 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 652 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 15,672 students complete degrees in this area each 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?
$44,889
Median earnings · 4yr
+1.6%
10yr job growth
4
Specializations
Is the Investment Worth It?
Breaks even in
~7.8
yrs
vs $30K/yr baseline wage
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.
ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.
How Much Do Communications Tech Majors Earn?
Communications Tech graduates start at a median $25,301 one year out and reach $44,889 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 652 US institutions offering programs in this field.
$25,301
1 Year After Graduation
Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.
$44,889
4-Year National Median
Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.
$44,169
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.
Earnings Range Across Specializations
Not all Communications Tech specializations pay the same. The most lucrative programs pay $47,916/yr nationally, while the lowest-earning specializations average $36,451/yr. See the Specializations section below for a program-by-program breakdown.
$36,451
Lowest
$44,889
Median
$47,916
Highest
What Can You Do With a Communications Tech Degree?
Career Paths for Communications Tech Graduates
Communications Tech connects to 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Multimedia Artist & Animator leads in median earnings at $102,030/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
Multimedia Artist & Animator
Bachelor's degree
$102,030
↗ +1.6% growth
Film & Video Editor
Bachelor's degree
$75,420
↗ +4.0% growth
Camera Operators
Bachelor's degree
$74,990
↗ +1.2% growth
Sound Engineering Technicians
Postsecondary nondegree award
$73,130
↘ -1.7% growth
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners
Postsecondary nondegree award
$72,420
↘ -0.3% growth
Lighting Technicians
Postsecondary nondegree award
$68,060
↘ -4.6% growth
Broadcast Technicians
Associate's degree
$59,570
↘ -2.8% growth
Audio and Video Technicians
Postsecondary nondegree award
$58,100
↗ +3.3% growth
Communications Tech Specializations
Communications Tech spans 4 specializations with relatively consistent earnings, from $36,451 to $47,916 at the four-year mark, per College Scorecard. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Communications Tech
The 20 colleges below are ranked by Communications Tech graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
1
Savannah College of Art and Design
Savannah, GA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
83%
Net price/yr
$49,430
Earnings 10yr
$45,954
Grad rate
67%
2
Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL · Nonprofit
Acceptance
89.5%
Net price/yr
$26,598
Earnings 10yr
$42,195
Grad rate
55%
3
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$9,804
Earnings 10yr
$47,867
Grad rate
20%
4
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College
New York, NY · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$4,976
Earnings 10yr
$42,306
Grad rate
28%
5
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ · Public
Acceptance
77.7%
Net price/yr
$22,408
Earnings 10yr
$59,988
Grad rate
70%
6
Ringling College of Art and Design
Sarasota, FL · Nonprofit
Acceptance
69.7%
Net price/yr
$57,742
Earnings 10yr
$43,325
Grad rate
67%
7
Belmont University
Nashville, TN · Nonprofit
Acceptance
95.3%
Net price/yr
$33,147
Earnings 10yr
$55,930
Grad rate
69%
8
Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Tempe, AZ · Public
Acceptance
89.9%
Net price/yr
$14,967
Earnings 10yr
$62,668
Grad rate
59%
9
Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX · Nonprofit
Acceptance
63.4%
Net price/yr
$40,892
Earnings 10yr
$78,354
Grad rate
70%
10
Bowie State University
Bowie, MD · Public
Acceptance
72.4%
Net price/yr
$19,298
Earnings 10yr
$54,537
Grad rate
30%
11
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI · Public
Acceptance
91.4%
Net price/yr
$8,624
Earnings 10yr
$54,735
Grad rate
52%
12
DePaul University
Chicago, IL · Nonprofit
Acceptance
75.9%
Net price/yr
$30,902
Earnings 10yr
$68,751
Grad rate
71%
13
Colegio de Cinematografia Artes y Television
Bayamon, PR · For-Profit
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$1,460
Earnings 10yr
$25,707
Grad rate
41%
14
Pratt Institute-Main
Brooklyn, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance
73.3%
Net price/yr
$52,659
Earnings 10yr
$54,295
Grad rate
63%
15
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA · Public
Acceptance
87.5%
Net price/yr
$17,915
Earnings 10yr
$76,343
Grad rate
74%
16
Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, CA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
74.5%
Net price/yr
$48,661
Earnings 10yr
$71,958
Grad rate
69%
17
School of Visual Arts
New York, NY · For-Profit
Acceptance
92.6%
Net price/yr
$57,914
Earnings 10yr
$46,459
Grad rate
67%
18
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA · Public
Acceptance
31.3%
Net price/yr
$16,665
Earnings 10yr
$90,768
Grad rate
78%
19
MediaTech Institute-Dallas
Dallas, TX · For-Profit
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$18,873
Earnings 10yr
$33,293
Grad rate
59%
20
DigiPen Institute of Technology
Redmond, WA · For-Profit
Acceptance
64.4%
Net price/yr
$44,446
Earnings 10yr
$79,878
Grad rate
55%
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
Major
$30k
$40k
$50k
$60k
$70k
$80k
$90k
$100k
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.
College ROI Calculator
See if a Communications Tech degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Communications Tech Degree: Pros & Cons
Communications Tech carries financial trade-offs that prospective students should weigh carefully before committing. The 2 strengths and 3 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
PROS
- Wide availability Offered at 652 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
- Strong salary growth Median salary grows from $25,301 at graduation to $44,889 four years later, indicating solid career momentum.
CONS
- Below-average earnings Four-year median of $44,889 falls below the national median for bachelor's degree holders, limiting near-term financial returns.
- Declining roles in some areas 4 related careers within this field show negative 10-year employment projections per BLS. Research specific roles carefully before committing.
- Long earnings breakeven At median salary and average net price, recovering education costs versus a baseline wage takes roughly 7.8 years. Compare program costs carefully.
Communications Tech Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Communications Tech graduates earn?
Communications Tech graduates earn a national median of $44,889 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a Communications Tech degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for Communications Tech degree holders is $25,301 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
What jobs can you get with a Communications Tech degree?
Communications Tech degree holders work in a range of careers. Multimedia Artist & Animator is one of the top roles by median wage ($102,030/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
How many colleges offer Communications Tech?
652 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in Communications Tech, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a Communications Tech degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $44,889 and an average net price of roughly $28,869/yr across institutions offering this major, a Communications Tech degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a Communications Tech degree?
A bachelor's degree in Communications Tech typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years. Online and part-time options can adjust these timelines based on your schedule and transfer credits.
What skills do employers look for in Communications Tech graduates?
Employers hiring Communications Tech graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, research, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information and communicate clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.
What is the 10-year job outlook for Communications Tech graduates?
Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for Communications Tech graduates is steady but slow, with an average of +0.1% projected growth across related occupations. Film & Video Editor is among the strongest-growth roles at +4.0%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.
Related Findings
-
The Shrinking Majors, Where the Jobs Are Disappearing
Of 38 college major fields, only three face shrinking job demand over the decade. Precision production leads the decline at minus 7.4 percent, and it pays below average too.
- Job growth
- Shrinking majors
- BLS projections
- Precision production
- Communications technology
-
All 38 Majors, Ranked by What Graduates Earn
The highest-earning college major out-pays the lowest by a factor of two and a half. The full ranking of all 38 fields by median graduate earnings, with job growth alongside.
- Major earnings
- Highest paying majors
- Job growth
- STEM
- Field of study
-
Does Engineering Tech Out-Earn Engineering? The Data Says No
A popular claim holds that the applied engineering-tech degree pays more than the theoretical one. Across every program, engineering wins by about $10,000.
- Engineering tech
- Engineering
- Program earnings
- Applied degree
- Technician careers
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