Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky's broadcasting program actually outperforms most Kentucky competitors—landing at the 60th percentile statewide—despite starting graduates at just $25,880. That's notable in a state where the median for this major matches EKU's number exactly, and where only two schools (UK and Murray State) produce meaningfully higher earners. The $25,500 debt load sits right at the state median, creating a roughly 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable if unexciting.

The real question is whether your child can weather the early career phase. First-year earnings trail the national median by $4,000, putting this program in the 22nd percentile nationally—a significant gap. However, the 22% earnings growth to $31,604 by year four shows steady improvement, suggesting graduates who stick with the field gain traction. Given that 39% of EKU students receive Pell grants, these outcomes likely reflect both the university's mission and the realities of Kentucky's media market.

This makes sense for a student committed to staying in Kentucky and willing to accept modest starting pay in exchange for lower debt. The trajectory improves with experience, and avoiding significantly higher debt loads (like you'd find at some competitors) preserves flexibility. Just understand that breaking $30,000 takes several years, and this field rarely leads to outsized earnings even long-term.