College Rankings

Best Broadcasting & Digital Media Schools

The top 25 of 141 U.S. colleges offering an undergraduate Broadcasting & Digital Media degree, ranked by early-career earnings and return on investment — using each school's real, aid-adjusted net price rather than sticker tuition.

Is Broadcasting & Digital Media worth it?

It can be, but you have to be ruthless about how much you pay for the degree. Media and broadcasting are notorious for low entry-level salaries—especially if you start in local television news or as a production assistant—so taking on massive student debt is a career-killer. The financial winners in this space are almost exclusively graduates of low-cost public university systems, regional branch campuses, and STEM-focused colleges that graduate students with minimal overhead. If you want to build wealth in digital media, skip the glamorous, ultra-expensive private arts colleges and look for state schools with strong alumni networks and modern production facilities.

Filter by state

#	School	State	Score	Median earnings	Net price / yr	10-yr net ROI
1	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus	GA	75	$76,507	$12,116†	+$717K
2	Miami University-Hamilton	OH	69	$50,938	$11,286†	+$464K
3	Miami University-Middletown	OH	69	$50,938	$10,809†	+$466K
4	Miami University-Oxford	OH	59	$50,938	$28,384†	+$396K
5	Purdue University Global	IN	58	$48,015	$7,770†	+$449K
6	University of Mississippi	MS	57	$41,247	$13,314†	+$359K
7	University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus	CT	56	$33,788	$10,875†	+$294K
8	The University of Texas at Arlington	TX	55	$43,038	$13,951†	+$375K
9	University of Connecticut-Avery Point	CT	54	$33,788	$13,807†	+$283K
10	University of Florida	FL	54	$33,178	$6,541†	+$306K
11	University of Florida-Online	FL	54	$33,178	$4,815†	+$313K
12	Florida State University	FL	53	$32,227	$11,297†	+$277K
13	University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus	CT	52	$33,788	$16,403†	+$272K
14	Rochester Institute of Technology	NY	51	$71,549	$34,906	+$576K
15	Lebanon Valley College	PA	51	$45,286	$26,979	+$345K
16	University of Connecticut-Stamford	CT	51	$33,788	$16,798†	+$271K
17	New York University	NY	49	$47,666	$37,050	+$328K
18	Saint Edward's University	TX	49	$36,708	$25,578	+$265K
19	The University of Texas at Dallas	TX	49	$34,676	$18,267†	+$274K
20	University of Georgia	GA	49	$32,556	$13,936†	+$270K
21	San Francisco State University	CA	48	$28,753	$12,278†	+$238K
22	Montclair State University	NJ	47	$29,633	$15,566†	+$234K
23	Florida International University	FL	46	$35,827	$9,288†	+$321K
24	Ohio University-Eastern Campus	OH	46	$29,086	$3,925†	+$275K
25	California State University-Dominguez Hills	CA	45	$36,517	$8,615†	+$331K
26	University of Connecticut	CT	45	$33,788	$25,097†	+$237K
27	Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus	OH	45	$29,086	$5,755†	+$268K
28	Ohio University-Southern Campus	OH	45	$29,086	$5,993†	+$267K
29	Ohio University-Lancaster Campus	OH	45	$29,086	$5,650†	+$268K
30	Ohio University-Zanesville Campus	OH	45	$29,086	$5,746†	+$268K
31	University of Maine	ME	44	$37,386	$17,510†	+$304K
32	Washington State University	WA	44	$32,416	$14,971†	+$264K
33	Boston University	MA	43	$37,225	$24,402	+$275K
34	University of Northern Iowa	IA	43	$36,324	$15,901†	+$300K
35	California State University-Northridge	CA	43	$27,278	$7,021†	+$245K
36	California State University-Fullerton	CA	43	$24,650	$6,555†	+$220K
37	CUNY Brooklyn College	NY	43	$22,947	$3,103†	+$217K
38	Fordham University	NY	42	$45,931	$44,338	+$282K
39	Texas A&M University-College Station	TX	42	$41,107	$21,315†	+$326K
40	Rogers State University	OK	42	$38,684	$15,314†	+$326K
41	Seton Hall University	NJ	42	$38,230	$31,446	+$257K
42	Syracuse University	NY	42	$37,556	$38,793	+$220K
43	University of South Carolina-Columbia	SC	42	$33,941	$22,811†	+$248K
44	University of Idaho	ID	42	$32,662	$14,831†	+$267K
45	Florida Gulf Coast University	FL	42	$30,437	$12,568†	+$254K
46	University of Central Florida	FL	42	$27,148	$10,411†	+$230K
47	Indiana University-Indianapolis	IN	41	$28,508	$11,668†	+$238K
48	Pennsylvania State University-World Campus	PA	40	$39,030	$19,550†	+$312K
49	Arizona State University Campus Immersion	AZ	40	$35,981	$14,967†	+$300K
50	University of La Verne	CA	40	$33,773	$20,161	+$257K
51	Murray State University	KY	40	$28,041	$9,096†	+$244K
52	Florida Atlantic University	FL	40	$26,926	$8,752†	+$234K
53	California State University-Los Angeles	CA	40	$22,133	$3,967†	+$205K
54	Savannah College of Art and Design	GA	39	$40,139	$49,430	+$204K
55	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College	PA	39	$39,030	$24,558†	+$292K
56	University of Miami	FL	39	$35,263	$37,244	+$204K
57	University of Southern Indiana	IN	39	$34,685	$12,923†	+$295K
58	Indiana University-South Bend	IN	39	$30,190	$8,653†	+$267K
59	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus	PA	38	$39,030	$32,875†	+$259K
60	University of Baltimore	MD	38	$33,788	$13,868†	+$282K
61	University of Northwestern-St Paul	MN	37	$40,361	$27,705	+$293K
62	Southeastern University	FL	37	$38,260	$31,942	+$255K
63	Texas Tech University	TX	37	$31,546	$19,070†	+$239K
64	Western Connecticut State University	CT	37	$30,582	$17,604†	+$235K
65	Oregon State University-Cascades Campus	OR	37	$30,036	$18,048†	+$228K
66	The University of Texas at Austin	TX	37	$28,892	$19,857†	+$209K
67	Lincoln University	PA	37	$23,309	$14,977†	+$173K
68	Texas Christian University	TX	36	$38,678	$36,660	+$240K
69	Ball State University	IN	36	$32,118	$14,940†	+$261K
70	Texas State University	TX	36	$31,977	$16,805†	+$253K
71	State University of New York at Oswego	NY	36	$30,241	$16,236†	+$237K
72	Oregon State University	OR	36	$30,036	$19,604†	+$222K
73	San Diego State University	CA	36	$22,487	$15,364†	+$163K
74	Marquette University	WI	35	$35,720	$31,487	+$231K
75	Kennesaw State University	GA	35	$31,994	$15,048†	+$260K
76	Arkansas State University	AR	35	$31,324	$12,366†	+$264K
77	Youngstown State University	OH	35	$30,089	$12,767†	+$250K
78	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus	OH	35	$28,719	$25,648†	+$185K
79	St Bonaventure University	NY	35	$27,714	$27,074	+$169K
80	Western Illinois University	IL	35	$27,462	$12,937†	+$223K
81	California State University-Long Beach	CA	35	$25,988	$10,440†	+$218K
82	Liberty University	VA	34	$34,506	$29,357	+$228K
83	Central Washington University	WA	34	$32,808	$18,476†	+$254K
84	Hofstra University	NY	34	$27,797	$34,176	+$141K
85	Northern Arizona University	AZ	34	$24,578	$14,158†	+$189K
86	California State University-Monterey Bay	CA	34	$24,496	$13,663†	+$190K
87	The University of Texas at El Paso	TX	34	$21,182	$9,403†	+$174K
88	Elon University	NC	33	$33,894	$41,555	+$173K
89	Seattle University	WA	33	$33,821	$34,662	+$200K
90	Bradley University	IL	33	$32,742	$22,719	+$237K
91	University of Akron Main Campus	OH	33	$31,699	$13,946†	+$261K
92	Chicago State University	IL	33	$28,643	$12,335†	+$237K
93	State University of New York at Plattsburgh	NY	33	$28,559	$17,156†	+$217K
94	University of Central Missouri	MO	33	$28,146	$14,462†	+$224K
95	University of Houston	TX	33	$24,250	$14,276†	+$185K
96	Wayne State University	MI	33	$20,526	$12,766†	+$154K
97	Dallas Baptist University	TX	32	$33,619	$28,516	+$222K
98	The University of Alabama	AL	32	$31,911	$22,420†	+$229K
99	Ithaca College	NY	32	$30,355	$33,926	+$168K
100	Troy University	AL	32	$29,917	$16,527†	+$233K
101	Central Michigan University	MI	32	$29,205	$17,597†	+$222K
102	State University of New York at New Paltz	NY	32	$23,551	$18,809†	+$160K
103	Western Kentucky University	KY	32	$21,377	$10,990†	+$170K
104	The New School	NY	31	$32,169	$58,741	+$87K
105	West Texas A & M University	TX	31	$30,615	$19,487†	+$228K
106	North Central College	IL	31	$30,167	$21,044	+$217K
107	Evangel University	MO	31	$28,656	$18,669	+$212K
108	Canisius University	NY	31	$25,154	$17,940	+$180K
109	Grand Valley State University	MI	31	$24,894	$16,317†	+$184K
110	Temple University	PA	30	$29,112	$28,198†	+$178K
111	Ohio University-Main Campus	OH	30	$29,086	$21,637†	+$204K
112	University of North Texas	TX	30	$26,773	$15,649†	+$205K
113	Lee University	TN	30	$26,537	$18,878	+$190K
114	Eastern Kentucky University	KY	30	$25,880	$11,040†	+$215K
115	Cedarville University	OH	29	$33,554	$24,468	+$238K
116	Bowling Green State University-Main Campus	OH	29	$29,405	$24,022†	+$198K
117	University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh	WI	29	$26,494	$14,305†	+$208K
118	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale	IL	29	$25,057	$13,297†	+$197K
119	Xavier University	OH	28	$28,270	$32,997	+$151K
120	University of Kentucky	KY	28	$28,215	$18,851†	+$207K
121	Capital University	OH	28	$28,045	$22,576	+$190K
122	Georgia Southern University	GA	28	$24,934	$15,267†	+$188K
123	Appalachian State University	NC	28	$23,532	$16,836†	+$168K
124	Towson University	MD	28	$22,997	$17,413†	+$160K
125	University of North Georgia	GA	28	$21,149	$9,823†	+$172K
126	Kent State University at Kent	OH	27	$26,398	$20,787†	+$181K
127	Asbury University	KY	27	$25,879	$21,401	+$173K
128	Loyola University Chicago	IL	26	$26,227	$36,079	+$118K
129	SUNY at Fredonia	NY	26	$24,791	$15,897†	+$184K
130	Biola University	CA	25	$29,388	$31,495	+$168K
131	Northwestern University	IL	25	$24,611	$29,167	+$129K
132	Kutztown University of Pennsylvania	PA	25	$22,057	$21,331†	+$135K
133	Point Park University	PA	25	$17,479	$25,942	+$71K
134	Rider University	NJ	25	$16,690	$24,792	+$68K
135	University of Valley Forge	PA	24	$28,751	$32,265	+$158K
136	Baylor University	TX	23	$27,554	$41,104	+$111K
137	Columbia College Chicago	IL	23	$24,191	$26,598	+$136K
138	Pepperdine University	CA	22	$23,182	$58,098	−$572
139	Universidad del Sagrado Corazon	PR	22	$13,436	$12,924	+$83K
140	Western Carolina University	NC	21	$19,125	$13,315†	+$138K
141	Clark Atlanta University	GA	20	$21,413	$37,702	+$63K

Top 10 programs by 10-year net ROI

How to read this: Median earnings = typical pay one year after graduation. Net price = average annual cost after grant aid, incl. living costs — not sticker tuition. 10-yr net ROI = ten years of earnings minus four years of net price. Score = the CollegeRanked Score (0–100) that sets the order — it blends ROI with longer-run earnings, job demand and automation resilience, so a school can outrank one with a slightly higher 10-yr ROI. † = public university — net price shown is the in-state cost; out-of-state students pay more. See the full methodology.

Why these schools rank where they do

Georgia Tech takes the top spot because its approach to media is inherently technical. Instead of funneling graduates into traditional local news stations, Georgia Tech’s digital and computational media students are heavily recruited for UX design, interactive product development, and digital strategy roles at major tech firms and Atlanta-based media conglomerates like Warner Bros. Discovery. They are effectively securing tech-industry salaries with a media-focused degree.

The biggest surprise on this list is how regional branch campuses dominate the top tier. Miami University’s regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown easily outrank the main Oxford campus, and the University of Connecticut sees four of its regional campuses land high on the board. The reason is pure math and local geography: students at these branch campuses—like UConn Stamford—pay a fraction of flagship tuition while sitting in the backyard of massive sports media employers like ESPN in Bristol and WWE in Stamford. They get the exact same diploma and tap into the exact same elite production pipelines, but with vastly less debt. Meanwhile, a prestigious media powerhouse like New York University sits down at #17. While NYU offers unparalleled access to the Manhattan media ecosystem, its astronomical tuition severely drags down the long-term financial payoff in an industry where early-career paychecks are famously modest.

What is Broadcasting & Digital Media?

This field is the engine behind what you watch, listen to, and scroll through every day, moving far beyond traditional television and radio. Graduates work as producers, digital content directors, video editors, and technical operators, orchestrating live broadcasts, streaming media, and interactive digital campaigns from the control room to the editing bay.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to go to school in New York or Los Angeles to work in media?

Not anymore. While New York and LA remain industry giants, digital media is highly decentralized. Some of the most lucrative pipelines are in regional tech and sports hubs. For example, Atlanta is a massive center for digital production and streaming, while Texas and Florida offer booming corporate media and sports broadcasting markets. The rankings show that schools in these areas provide excellent geographic advantages without the coastal cost of living.

Which pays better: on-camera or behind-the-scenes?

Behind-the-scenes, technical roles almost always offer a higher and more reliable financial floor. While top-tier on-air talent can eventually make millions, the entry-level grind for reporters and anchors is fiercely competitive and low-paying. Graduates who focus on the technical side of digital media—video editing, control room operations, digital product management, and broadcast engineering—tend to secure higher starting salaries and have an easier time transitioning into corporate communications or the tech industry.

What should I look for in a program's facilities?

You need a school that treats its studios like a working workplace, not a museum. Look for programs with student-run live sports broadcasting networks, modern control rooms, and digital agency labs. In this industry, employers hire based on your reel and your practical experience. A degree from a school where you can rack up hundreds of hours of live production time before graduation is far more valuable than one that only focuses on media theory.