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Cheapest Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

California State University-Dominguez Hills delivers audiovisual communications training at just $3,659 net cost, making it the clear standout in affordability among programs that typically range from $7,668 to $16,547. The 20 most affordable programs span from community colleges to major research universities, with earnings potential varying dramatically from $10,463 to $35,600 annually. Public institutions dominate the lower cost tier, though College of the Ozarks breaks this pattern by offering private education at $7,669 despite a $21,290 sticker price through its unique work-study model. The audiovisual field connects directly to America's $717 billion entertainment industry, with major employers like Disney, Netflix, and local broadcast stations creating steady demand for technical specialists. Graduation rates tell an important story, ranging from just 21.2% at American InterContinental University to 82.2% at Brigham Young University, suggesting that program structure and student support matter as much as cost when choosing where to study.
50
Programs
$3,659 – $30,031
Net Price Range
$28,992
Avg. Program Earnings
54.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
2 $7,668 $6,920 30.2%
3 $7,669 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
4 $7,755 $4,197 34.0%
5 $8,463 $6,270 40.7%
6 $11,759 $5,324 50.7% 60.0%
7 $12,202 $13,630 47.9% 87.9%
8 $12,932 $11,238 53.1% 93.1%
9 $13,980 $28,670 31.0% 78.2%
10 $14,229 $8,486 36.0% 86.0%
11 $14,449 $12,310 21.2%
12 $14,487 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
13 $14,559 $10,024 28.7% 68.4%
14 $15,342 $11,790 81.2% 82.4%
15 $15,355 $12,330 22.6%
16 $15,644 $8,771 53.5% 84.6%
17 $15,729 $18,392 68.7% 93.7%
18 $15,898 $10,758 63.3% 69.0%
19 $16,438 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
20 $16,547 $8,881 58.8% 70.2%
21 $16,791 $11,306 67.6% 78.6%
22 $17,816 $10,336 54.6% 56.6%
23 $18,161 $63,340 94.6% 7.3%
24 $18,609 $9,490 54.1% 70.7%
25 $18,705 $27,192 64.8% 67.9%
26 $18,990 $8,522 37.5% 69.9%
27 $19,335 $8,999 38.1% 86.5%
28 $19,685 $24,606 59.7% 95.6%
29 $20,303 $20,318 62.2% 63.2%
30 $20,798 $22,194 56.7% 91.3%
31 $20,865 $11,400 48.9% 49.8%
32 $21,270 $30,598 51.4% 94.1%
33 $21,299 $17,027 45.8%
34 $21,803 $18,168 34.9% 88.8%
35 $22,185 $15,700 68.3% 76.9%
36 $22,881 $36,120 51.3% 77.6%
37 $23,206 $37,951 69.5% 80.9%
38 $23,574 $29,460 63.6% 90.8%
39 $23,901 $41,642 55.4% 92.7%
40 $25,009 $48,132 53.4% 75.8%
41 $25,161 $36,035 63.5% 94.3%
42 $26,181 $22,000 48.3% 20.4%
43 $26,196 $30,730 61.1% 55.1%
44 $26,788 $32,520 48.5% 94.8%
45 $26,985 $50,110 68.5% 84.7%
46 $28,132 $50,320 72.5% 76.7%
47 $28,458 $26,390 53.6% 75.7%
48 $29,694 $57,016 70.8% 67.2%
49 $29,981 $40,940 68.7% 91.7%
50 $30,031 $45,380 59.8% 86.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

California State University-Dominguez Hills costs $3,659 while programs like Wilmington University reach $15,355, creating a $11,696 gap primarily driven by public versus private funding models. Public institutions receive state subsidies that dramatically reduce student costs, while private colleges rely on tuition revenue. The data shows 11 of the 15 cheapest programs operate as public institutions. Geographic location also plays a role, with California and Utah offering particularly affordable public options.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in audiovisual communications?

Higher costs don't guarantee better completion rates, as evidenced by the wide variation across price points. Brigham Young University achieves 82.2% graduation at $14,487 net cost, while American InterContinental University shows only 21.2% completion despite charging $14,449. College of the Ozarks demonstrates strong value with 61.3% graduation at just $7,669 net cost. The data suggests that institutional support and program structure matter more than price alone.

Where do audiovisual communications graduates earn the highest starting salaries?

Ferris State University graduates command $30,409 starting salaries, the highest among schools with available earnings data. American InterContinental University follows at $32,569, though this comes with concerning graduation rates of just 21.2%. SUNY Buffalo State graduates earn $28,598 annually at a much lower educational investment of $14,229. University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo shows the lowest earnings at $10,463, reflecting regional economic conditions rather than program quality.

Does attending a more selective program improve job prospects in audiovisual communications?

Selectivity varies dramatically among affordable programs, from College of the Ozarks accepting just 21.13% of applicants to California State University-Dominguez Hills accepting 89.13%. However, acceptance rates don't directly correlate with outcomes in this technical field. Brigham Young University combines moderate selectivity (66.67% acceptance) with strong graduation rates (82.2%). The data suggests that hands-on training and equipment access matter more than admission difficulty.

What makes College of the Ozarks such an outlier in this pricing analysis?

College of the Ozarks achieves a $7,669 net cost despite its $21,290 sticker price through mandatory work-study programs where students work on campus to pay tuition. This creates a $13,621 difference between published and actual costs, making private education accessible at community college prices. The school maintains 61.3% graduation rates and accepts only 21.13% of applicants. This unique funding model explains why it appears among predominantly public institutions in affordability rankings.

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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.