Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at SUNY Broome Community College

SUNY Broome's media program starts graduates below the poverty line—$20,705 first year—which should raise immediate concerns about whether an associate's degree in this field provides adequate preparation for living independently. While earnings do grow to $25,342 by year four (a 22% increase), that's still roughly $12-13/hour full-time, barely above what many retail chains now pay without requiring any college degree.

The state comparison reveals an interesting twist: this program actually ranks in the 60th percentile among New York's media programs, suggesting the entire field struggles in this state rather than SUNY Broome specifically underperforming. The debt load of $11,293 is manageable in absolute terms—about half of first-year earnings—but the fundamental question remains whether these earnings justify two years of education when entry-level work might pay nearly as much. That this ranks only in the 20th percentile nationally suggests students in other states are finding better opportunities with similar credentials.

For families considering this path, the critical question is whether your child has a clear plan for using this degree as a stepping stone—perhaps transferring to a four-year program or leveraging connections from internships. As a terminal credential leading directly to work, these numbers suggest exploring alternatives like starting with direct industry experience or considering whether a four-year degree might open substantially better doors in media careers.