Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at The University of Texas at Austin

UT Austin's prestige doesn't translate into strong early earnings for this program. Graduates start at $28,892—below both the state median ($31,762) and national average, landing in just the 40th percentile among Texas programs. That's surprising given the university's 29% admission rate and competitive student profile, especially when nearby UT Arlington's program starts graduates at $43,038 and Texas A&M at $41,107.

The saving grace is impressive earnings growth: salaries jump 60% to $46,216 by year four, suggesting graduates build valuable skills but need time to break into better-paying roles. The debt load of $23,044 is manageable relative to that trajectory, though the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.80 means new graduates will likely face a tight first year financially.

For parents, this program's value hinges on your child's career timeline and financial cushion. If they can weather lean early years—perhaps with parental support or side income—the long-term trajectory looks solid. But if they need immediate earning power after graduation, the state offers better alternatives. This isn't the slam-dunk investment you might expect from the UT Austin brand in this particular field.