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Cheapest Radio Colleges

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

Ohio University stands out by operating five separate campuses offering Radio, Television, and Digital Communication programs, yet their graduation rates tell a concerning story. While the main campus achieves respectable outcomes, the regional campuses struggle with completion rates between 12.1% and 20%, creating stark differences within the same university system. Net costs across these affordable programs range from just $2,943 at CUNY Brooklyn College to $8,376 at the highest end, making media education accessible to students with limited financial resources. The broadcasting industry continues evolving rapidly, with streaming services and digital platforms creating new opportunities for graduates who understand both traditional television production and emerging digital formats. California State University schools dominate the West Coast options, while Florida offers both traditional campus and online pathways for students entering this competitive field. These programs prepare students for careers in markets where radio stations, television networks, and digital content creators compete for audience attention across multiple platforms.
50
Programs
$2,943 – $12,621
Net Price Range
$27,839
Avg. Program Earnings
49.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Radio, Television, and Digital Communication Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
2 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
3 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
4 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
5 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
6 $4,702 $3,876 77.7% 64.6%
7 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
8 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
9 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
10 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
11 $6,276 $8,179 44.7% 85.8%
12 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
13 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
14 $6,507 $5,324 52.5% 51.6%
15 $7,559 $6,920 31.1%
16 $7,569 $6,920 36.4%
17 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
18 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
19 $8,364 $8,179 35.7% 86.9%
20 $8,376 $9,590 43.8% 93.6%
21 $8,837 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
22 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
23 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
24 $9,121 $9,708 59.5% 84.0%
25 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
26 $9,962 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%
27 $10,082 $6,340 47.9% 94.7%
28 $10,133 $12,754 16.9% 48.5%
29 $10,319 $6,118 56.0% 74.4%
30 $10,650 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
31 $10,722 $6,391 43.0%
32 $10,726 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
33 $10,785 $5,009 36.8% 69.6%
34 $10,916 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
35 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
36 $11,268 $10,026 45.9% 86.5%
37 $11,408 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
38 $11,504 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
39 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
40 $11,611 $10,760 40.1% 75.6%
41 $11,877 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
42 $11,987 $6,660 21.1%
43 $12,093 $36,840 59.0% 84.1%
44 $12,188 $9,992 41.1% 92.3%
45 $12,251 $33,968 60.4% 77.4%
46 $12,267 $10,110 47.6%
47 $12,514 $8,634 47.8% 93.2%
48 $12,579 $4,532 59.1% 84.8%
49 $12,599 $9,506 54.0% 72.5%
50 $12,621 $10,136 52.0% 94.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY Brooklyn College the most affordable option at $2,943 net cost?

CUNY Brooklyn College benefits from New York State funding that significantly reduces costs for residents, resulting in the lowest net price among all Radio, Television, and Digital Communication programs. The school maintains a 54.54% acceptance rate while delivering solid graduate earnings of $29,141. Students also graduate with manageable debt levels of just $10,588, well below the national average for media programs.

How do University of Florida programs compare between online and traditional formats?

Both University of Florida options lead to identical graduate earnings of $33,382, the highest among these affordable programs. The online program costs $4,702 net with a 77.70% graduation rate, while the traditional campus requires $6,351 net but achieves an strong 91.50% completion rate. The traditional program maintains highly selective 23.35% acceptance standards compared to 64.64% for online students.

Is graduating from Ohio University regional campuses worth the low completion rates?

Ohio University regional campuses show troubling patterns with graduation rates ranging from 12.1% to 20%, significantly below industry standards. All five campuses share the same $23,654 average debt load, creating financial risk for students who don't complete their degrees. Students should carefully consider these statistics before enrolling, as incomplete programs leave graduates without credentials needed for broadcasting careers.

Does California State University provide better value than other state systems?

California State University schools offer competitive net costs between $3,659 and $5,646 while maintaining reasonable acceptance rates above 66%. CSU Fullerton achieves the strongest graduation rate at 69.20% with solid earnings of $28,849, making it a reliable choice for media students. However, CSU Los Angeles shows lower graduate earnings at $22,378 despite similar program costs.

Where can students find the best return on investment for media degrees?

University of Florida programs deliver the highest graduate earnings at $33,382 while maintaining reasonable debt levels of $15,000. CUNY schools also provide strong value with earnings between $29,141 and $32,925 combined with minimal net costs under $3,500. Students should avoid programs with graduation rates below 30%, as incomplete degrees offer no career benefits regardless of low costs.

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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.