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Best Value Radio Colleges in Pennsylvania

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Lincoln University stands out among Pennsylvania's Radio, Television, and Digital Communication programs with a net cost of just $12,912, making it the most affordable option by a significant margin. This creates an interesting contrast with Lebanon Valley College, where graduates earn $41,565 annually but face a net cost of $28,132. Pennsylvania's media market offers strong career prospects for communications graduates, particularly with Comcast headquartered in Philadelphia and serving as one of the nation's largest media conglomerates. The state's 15 programs show dramatic cost variations, with private institutions like Susquehanna University charging $57,400 in tuition while public options like Kutztown University keep in-state costs at $11,230. Temple University represents a middle ground at $22,082 for in-state students, while maintaining a solid 74.7% graduation rate. The Pennsylvania State Grant system helps reduce financial barriers for residents pursuing media careers.
29
Programs
$12,251 – $38,428
Net Price Range
$29,767
Avg. Program Earnings
66.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

29 Radio, Television, and Digital Communication Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,912 $21,781 $12,512 52.1% 80.6%
2 $22,222 $35,954 $39,570 72.5% 80.8%
3 $28,132 $41,565 $50,320 72.5% 76.7%
4 $21,205 $29,141 $11,230 54.1% 96.1%
5 $25,866 $29,685 $48,290 64.0% 77.6%
6 $29,219 $31,423 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
7 $27,686 $28,960 $40,640 78.5% 79.4%
8 $27,499 $27,204 $24,510 56.1% 82.4%
9 $26,539 $22,192 $57,400 74.1% 76.7%
10 $16,630 $14,620 43.4% 93.6%
11 $27,700 $42,286 60.3% 94.1%
12 $20,800 $39,470 65.9% 75.3%
13 $28,163 $45,683 68.2% 88.9%
14 $30,528 $52,309 80.8% 84.4%
15 $19,173 $41,720 72.8% 73.1%
16 $24,791 $38,160 59.6% 82.1%
17 $30,074 $21,524 84.3% 49.1%
18 $18,952 $14,646 53.4% 97.4%
19 $38,428 $60,663 77.1% 79.6%
20 $20,231 $12,262 54.4% 92.4%
21 $28,329 $42,810 58.5% 59.0%
22 $19,258 $47,675 59.6% 75.2%
23 $24,051 $35,815 50.5% 78.5%
24 $31,671 $63,829 92.5% 11.3%
25 $22,909 $44,934 58.2% 84.3%
26 $27,663 $56,402 68.9% 76.2%
27 $12,251 $33,968 60.4% 77.4%
28 $23,206 $37,951 69.5% 80.9%
29 $26,198 $36,842 77.1% 81.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Lincoln University such an affordable option for communications students?

Lincoln University offers the lowest net cost at $12,912 for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication programs in Pennsylvania. The school maintains an 80.6% acceptance rate while keeping costs manageable for students. However, graduates earn $21,781 annually, which is on the lower end compared to other programs in the state. The combination of low cost and accessible admission makes it attractive for budget-conscious students entering the media field.

How do public universities compare to private schools for communications value?

Public universities offer significantly lower tuition, with Kutztown University charging $11,230 in-state compared to private schools like Lebanon Valley College at $50,320. Temple University provides strong value at $22,082 in-state tuition with graduates earning $31,423 annually and a 74.7% graduation rate. Public options generally show lower debt levels, with Temple graduates carrying $25,000 in debt compared to $27,000 at many private institutions. The graduation rates at public schools range from 43.4% to 74.7%, showing considerable variation in student success.

Where do Pennsylvania communications graduates earn the highest salaries?

Lebanon Valley College graduates lead in earnings at $41,565 annually, despite the program's high $50,320 tuition cost. Marywood University follows closely with graduates earning $35,954, while maintaining a strong 72.5% graduation rate. Temple University graduates earn $31,423, which represents solid value given the lower public school tuition. The earnings range across all programs spans from $21,781 to $41,565, showing significant variation in post-graduation financial outcomes.

Is the debt load manageable for communications students in Pennsylvania?

Most programs maintain debt levels around $25,000 to $27,000, which is relatively consistent across both public and private institutions. Temple University graduates carry $25,000 in debt while earning $31,423 annually, creating a manageable debt-to-income ratio. Kutztown University shows $26,350 in average debt with earnings of $29,141 for graduates. The standardized debt levels suggest that financial aid packages help balance the cost differences between public and private programs.

How do graduation rates affect program value in Pennsylvania communications schools?

Graduation rates vary dramatically from 43.4% at University of Pittsburgh-Bradford to 80.8% at University of Scranton. Higher graduation rates often correlate with better long-term value, as Messiah University shows a 78.5% rate while maintaining reasonable costs. Temple University combines a solid 74.7% graduation rate with competitive earnings of $31,423 for graduates. Schools with graduation rates below 60% may present higher risk for students, regardless of initial cost advantages.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.