Best colleges for Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians by graduate earnings are Bowie State University ($35,168), Full Sail University ($30,014) and Husson University ($29,736), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Bowie State University (Bowie, MD): $35,168, 70 graduates a year
- Full Sail University (Winter Park, FL): $30,014, 712 graduates a year
- Husson University (Bangor, ME): $29,736, 27 graduates a year
- Rowan University (Glassboro, NJ): $27,701, 71 graduates a year
- SUNY Buffalo State University (Buffalo, NY): $24,687, 21 graduates a year
Compare 307 U.S. colleges offering Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 40 states.
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $24,428 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 10.02 and the Audio and Video Technicians occupation (BLS SOC).
About Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians programs
The Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians program prepares students for careers in the dynamic field of communications technologies. This program focuses on the technical aspects of creating, managing, and distributing audiovisual content across various media platforms, making it ideal for those interested in film, television, and multimedia production. Students in this program will gain hands-on experience with the latest technologies and techniques used in the industry, equipping them with the skills necessary to succeed in a variety of roles within the audiovisual sector.
Learn more about Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians →
Core coursework in this program covers essential skills such as monitoring and diagnosing media systems, operating electronic equipment, and understanding the principles of communications and media. Students will also develop competencies in critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
Top 12 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bowie State University Bowie, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,168 | 70 | 38% | — | $26,000 |
| 2 | Full Sail University Winter Park, FL Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,014 | 712 | 44% | $32,163 | $18,245 |
| 3 | Husson University Bangor, ME Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,736 | 27 | 59% | $18,839 | $27,000 |
| 4 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,701 | 71 | 67% | — | $22,750 |
| 5 | SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,687 | 21 | 33% | — | $25,469 |
| 6 | St. John's University - New York Queens, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $24,389 | 28 | 66% | $27,359 | $27,000 |
| 7 | Belmont University Nashville, TN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $22,664 | 110 | 71% | $29,246 | $24,136 |
| 8 | American University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $19,337 | 21 | 75% | $30,225 | $20,980 |
| 9 | University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo Arecibo, PR Public · Bachelor's degree | $6,316 | 59 | 52% | — | $5,500 |
| 10 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $34,043 | 2 | 47% | — | $22,481 |
| 11 | Alabama A & M University Normal, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,938 | 27 | 24% | — | $36,250 |
| 12 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $20,927 | 5 | 52% | $28,087 | $27,000 |
Top 18 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences Tempe, AZ Private for-profit · Certificate | $21,814 | 427 | 39% | $22,590 | $10,344 |
| 2 | MediaTech Institute - Dallas Dallas, TX Private for-profit · Associate degree | $21,151 | 117 | 70% | $19,634 | $20,000 |
| 3 | SAE Institute of Technology - Nashville Nashville, TN Private for-profit · Associate degree | $20,964 | 611 | 42% | $21,395 | $20,000 |
| 4 | Atlanta Institute of Music and Media Duluth, GA Private for-profit · Associate degree | $17,967 | 33 | 33% | $33,678 | $18,918 |
| 5 | Florida Institute of Recording Sound and Technology Orlando, FL Private for-profit · Certificate | $17,311 | 147 | — | — | $7,853 |
| 6 | Cuyahoga Community College District Cleveland, OH Public · Associate degree | $16,294 | 24 | 31% | — | — |
| 7 | The Omega Studios' School of Applied Arts & Sciences Rockville, MD Private for-profit · Certificate | $14,502 | 39 | — | — | $7,334 |
| 8 | Colegio de Cinematografía Artes y Television Bayamon, PR Private for-profit · Associate degree | $5,660 | 67 | 47% | $4,177 | — |
| 9 | Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake City, UT Public · Associate degree | $31,172 | 31 | 29% | — | — |
| 10 | Suffolk County Community College Selden, NY Public · Associate degree | $30,575 | 27 | 29% | — | $11,500 |
| 11 | CUNY LaGuardia Community College Long Island City, NY Public · Associate degree Small program | $29,299 | 17 | 24% | — | — |
| 12 | Guilford Technical Community College Jamestown, NC Public · Associate degree Small program | $28,287 | 15 | 31% | — | $20,251 |
| 13 | York Technical College Rock Hill, SC Public · Certificate Small program | $28,113 | 10 | 30% | — | — |
| 14 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati, OH Public · Associate degree | $27,936 | 22 | 16% | — | $13,511 |
| 15 | University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College Blue Ash, OH Public · Associate degree Small program | $25,668 | 1 | 16% | — | $12,000 |
| 16 | Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs, IA Public · Associate degree Small program | $24,428 | 17 | 40% | — | $12,000 |
| 17 | Northampton County Area Community College Bethlehem, PA Public · Associate degree | $20,022 | 29 | 24% | — | — |
| 18 | CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College New York, NY Public · Associate degree | $18,929 | 68 | 25% | — | $10,250 |
Specializations within Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians
5 of the 5 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 10.02 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Recording Arts Technology/CIP 10.0203
Technician 3,670 graduates / yr173 institutions31 states - Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/CIP 10.0202
Technician 1,488 graduates / yr84 institutions33 states - Photographic and Film/CIP 10.0201
Video Technology/ Technician 1,328 graduates / yr103 institutions25 states - Audiovisual Communications Technologies/CIP 10.0299
Technicians 841 graduates / yr17 institutions12 states - Voice Writing Technology/CIP 10.0204
Technician New in CIP 2020limited data15 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
Offered across 40 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-4011, Audio and Video Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians program can expect a career outlook that is about as fast as average, with an annual opening of approximately 7,300 positions. The median wage for professionals in this field is $54,830, and typical education requirements include a postsecondary nondegree award.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 10.02.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 10.02 (Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians) maps to 8 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 27-2091 | Disc Jockeys, Except Radio |
| 27-3092 | Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners |
| 27-4011 | Audio and Video Techniciansprimary |
| 27-4012 | Broadcast Technicians |
| 27-4014 | Sound Engineering Technicians |
| 27-4015 | Lighting Technicians |
| 27-4031 | Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film |
| 27-4032 | Film and Video Editors |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed.
- Diagnose and resolve media system problems.
- Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production.
- Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data.
- Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, motion pictures, video conferencing, or multimedia presentations.
- Control the lights and sound of events, such as live concerts, before and after performances, and during intermissions.
Common questions
What types of specializations are available?+
Specializations include Photographic and Film/Video Technology, Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology, Recording Arts Technology, Voice Writing Technology, and others.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in monitoring, critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with around 7,300 annual openings.
What is the typical education requirement?+
Most positions require a postsecondary nondegree award.
How much do Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians graduates earn?+
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $24,428, College Scorecard (2019); the Audio and Video Technicians occupation pays about $64,630 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians?+
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians maps to CIP 10.02 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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