Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Western Carolina University

Western Carolina's broadcast program starts graduates at just $19,125—roughly $10,000 below the North Carolina median and in the bottom 5% nationally. While earnings do climb 68% by year four to reach $32,097, that's still below what graduates from comparable NC programs like Elon ($33,894) earn right out of the gate. The $25,000 debt load isn't extreme for the field, but it represents more than a year's starting salary, creating a challenging first few years after graduation.

The very small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year, so they may not reflect your child's likely outcome. What's harder to dismiss is the program's consistent position at the bottom of both state and national rankings. Even accounting for Western Carolina's lower-cost, access-oriented mission (87% admission rate, 33% Pell students), the earnings gap suggests graduates are struggling to land competitive positions in media markets.

If your child is set on broadcast media, they should understand they're likely facing several years of very low pay—potentially supplemented by second jobs or family support—before reaching a livable wage. The Elon comparison is particularly telling: paying more upfront for a higher-ranked program might actually be the more economical choice given the $14,000 difference in starting salary.