Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at University of Central Florida

UCF's Radio, Television, and Digital Communication program starts graduates at just $27,148—roughly $6,000 below Florida's median for this field and in the bottom quarter of similar programs statewide. That's a tough first year, especially when competing against graduates from FIU and UF who command $33,000+ right out of the gate. The manageable debt load ($21,202) helps somewhat, but even with that advantage, Florida has other programs offering both lower debt and higher starting salaries.

The silver lining is meaningful earnings growth: graduates nearly double their income by year four, reaching $40,123. That 48% jump suggests the program builds foundational skills that eventually pay off, though it requires patience through lean early-career years. Still, even that four-year mark doesn't fully close the gap with top Florida programs, and parents should consider whether their child can weather those first few years on roughly $27,000 in an expensive metro area like Orlando.

For families prioritizing immediate earning power, the in-state alternatives at FIU or UF deliver stronger starting positions. UCF might work if your child is willing to grind through entry-level media work while building experience, but this isn't the safest bet among Florida's communication programs.