Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Austin Community College District

Austin Community College's media program outearns 78% of similar associate programs nationally, but that small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. The $26,951 first-year earnings sit above both the national median ($25,024) and considerably above Texas's state median of $22,254, putting graduates in the top 40% statewide. The $12,000 debt load matches the state median and translates to a manageable 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio.

However, associate-level media programs typically serve as stepping stones rather than career endpoints. These wages place graduates just above entry-level retail management territory. For students planning to transfer to complete a bachelor's degree, this could make sense as an affordable bridge program. For those expecting these credentials to launch a media career, the reality is that local coffee shops often pay comparably.

The value here depends entirely on what comes next. If your student plans to continue their education or can leverage Austin's tech and media scene for networking opportunities while keeping debt low, this represents a reasonable starting point. As a standalone credential for immediate career entry, expect limited earnings growth without additional education or exceptional portfolio work.