Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at University of Northern Iowa

University of Northern Iowa's Radio, Television, and Digital Communication program delivers substantially stronger outcomes than most similar programs nationwide. Graduates earn $36,324 their first year—placing them in the 85th percentile nationally and well above the $29,976 national median for these degrees. Even better, the debt burden sits at just $19,604, creating a manageable 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio that's significantly lower than the national median debt of $24,250 for this field.

The earnings trajectory shows steady, if modest, growth: graduates see a 7% increase to $38,717 by year four. Within Iowa, this program performs solidly at the 60th percentile, though it's worth noting there are only nine comparable programs statewide. The real story here is how this program outperforms expectations for a field that often struggles with low starting salaries—UNI's graduates are entering the workforce with a genuine advantage.

For a 94% admission rate school serving a substantial population of first-generation students (24% Pell recipients), these outcomes represent excellent value. Your child would graduate with reasonable debt and earnings that meaningfully exceed what most peers in this field achieve. If they're drawn to media careers, this program offers a practical path forward without the financial burden that typically accompanies arts and communication degrees.