Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians at MediaTech Institute-Dallas

MediaTech Institute-Dallas graduates earn $21,151 their first year out—essentially poverty wages that barely clear $10/hour for full-time work. While that places this program in the 60th percentile among Texas audiovisual tech programs, that's more an indictment of the field's economics in the state than a meaningful endorsement. The program sits below the national median of $22,790, and even the top-performing programs nationally only reach about $28,000. The debt load of $20,000 matches what you'd pay, but with first-year earnings this low, that ratio of 0.95 means your child would owe nearly a full year's salary before accounting for living expenses.

The silver lining is modest: debt sits at the 25th percentile nationally, so at least MediaTech isn't loading students up with excessive loans relative to similar programs. Nearly half the student body receives Pell grants, suggesting the school serves working-class families—but that makes the earnings outcome even more concerning for families counting on this degree to launch economic mobility.

If your child is passionate about audiovisual production, this certificate at least costs less than many alternatives, but understand they'll likely need to supplement with other work or plan on the earnings growing significantly over time. The robust sample size means these numbers are reliable, not outliers. For families without financial cushion, starting a career at $21,000 while servicing $20,000 in debt creates immediate financial stress.