Best institutions to study Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the production of radio and television programs, and related operations, under the supervision of broadcast and studio managers, directors, editors, and producers.
84 U.S. institutions graduated 1,488 Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 10.0202, a specialization of Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians (CIP 10.02), and leads most directly to the Broadcast Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 27-4012).
About Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the production of radio and television programs, and related operations, under the supervision of broadcast and studio managers, directors, editors, and producers. Includes instruction in sound, lighting, and camera operation and maintenance; power and feed control; studio operations; production preparation; broadcast engineering; related computer applications; and specialized applications such as news, entertainment, live talk, sports, commercials, and taping.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician program prepares students to apply technical knowledge and skills in the production of radio and television programs. This program is ideal for individuals interested in pursuing careers in communications technologies and support services, working under the guidance of broadcast and studio managers, directors, and producers.
Students will gain expertise in sound, lighting, and camera operation, as well as studio operations and broadcast engineering. Coursework also covers production preparation and specialized applications in various media formats, enhancing critical skills in communications and technology.
Credentials awarded
What Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree551 graduates / yr · 56 institutions37%
- Bachelor's degree403 graduates / yr · 13 institutions27%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year362 graduates / yr · 32 institutions24%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years166 graduates / yr · 17 institutions11%
- Master's degree6 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.4%
Graduates over time
Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,745 |
| 2013 | 1,789 |
| 2014 | 1,780 |
| 2015 | 1,770 |
| 2016 | 1,603 |
| 2017 | 1,467 |
| 2018 | 1,614 |
| 2019 | 1,792 |
| 2020 | 1,557 |
| 2021 | 1,517 |
| 2022 | 1,556 |
| 2023 | 1,618 |
| 2024 | 1,510 |
| 2025 | 1,488 |
Top 50 institutions for Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Full Sail University Winter Park, FLPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 185 | 44% | $32,163 | $30,014 |
| 2 | San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 90 | 30% | — | — |
| 3 | Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 71 | 38% | — | — |
| 4 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicBachelor's | 71 | 67% | — | $27,701 |
| 5 | Bowie State University Bowie, MDPublicBachelor's | 70 | 38% | — | $35,168 |
| 6 | CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College New York, NYPublicAssociate's | 68 | 25% | — | $18,929 |
| 7 | Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 62 | 34% | — | — |
| 8 | University of Puerto Rico - Arecibo Arecibo, PRPublicBachelor's | 59 | 52% | — | $6,316 |
| 9 | Tri - County Technical College Pendleton, SCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 55 | 42% | — | — |
| 10 | Trident Technical College Charleston, SCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 47 | 30% | — | — |
| 11 | Gaston College Dallas, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 31 | 63% | — | — |
| 12 | Hollywood Cultural College Los Angeles, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 30 | — | — | — |
| 13 | Northampton County Area Community College Bethlehem, PAPublicAssociate's | 29 | 24% | — | $20,022 |
| 14 | Alabama A & M University Normal, ALPublicBachelor's | 27 | 24% | — | $28,938 |
| 15 | Valencia College Orlando, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 27 | 48% | — | — |
| 16 | Suffolk County Community College Selden, NYPublicAssociate's | 27 | 29% | — | $30,575 |
| 17 | Dallas College Dallas, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 25 | 32% | — | — |
| 18 | SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, NYPublicBachelor's | 21 | 33% | — | $24,687 |
| 19 | Austin Community College District Austin, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 21 | 20% | — | — |
| 20 | Brookdale Community College Lincroft, NJPublicAssociate's | 20 | 30% | — | — |
| 21 | William T McFatter Technical College Davie, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 19 | 66% | — | — |
| 22 | Miami Dade College Miami, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 18 | 46% | — | — |
| 23 | Passaic County Community College Paterson, NJPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 15 | 19% | — | — |
| 24 | Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem, NCPublicAssociate's | 15 | 34% | — | — |
| 25 | Southeastern Community College Whiteville, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 15 | 43% | — | — |
| 26 | Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs, IAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 40% | — | $24,428 |
| 27 | Hutchinson Community College Hutchinson, KSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 14 | 53% | — | — |
| 28 | Mt Hood Community College Gresham, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 14 | 24% | — | — |
| 29 | Lawson State Community College Birmingham, ALPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 27% | — | — |
| 30 | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City, IAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 13 | 50% | — | — |
| 31 | Mount Wachusett Community College Gardner, MAPublicAssociate's | 13 | 24% | — | — |
| 32 | CUNY Kingsborough Community College Brooklyn, NYPublicAssociate's | 13 | 28% | — | — |
| 33 | Monroe Community College Rochester, NYPublicAssociate's | 13 | 27% | — | — |
| 34 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Gurabo Campus Gurabo, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 13 | 31% | $9,370 | — |
| 35 | Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 31% | — | — |
| 36 | Lehigh Carbon Community College Schnecksville, PAPublicAssociate's | 11 | 30% | — | — |
| 37 | Eastern Florida State College Melbourne, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 52% | — | — |
| 38 | CUNY Bronx Community College Bronx, NYPublicAssociate's | 10 | 16% | — | — |
| 39 | Owens Community College Perrysburg, OHPublicAssociate's | 10 | 35% | — | — |
| 40 | York Technical College Rock Hill, SCPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 10 | 30% | — | $28,113 |
| 41 | Amarillo College Amarillo, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 10 | 32% | — | — |
| 42 | Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 25% | — | — |
| 43 | Pikes Peak State College Colorado Springs, COPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 21% | — | — |
| 44 | Lake Superior College Duluth, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 42% | — | — |
| 45 | Bates Technical College Tacoma, WAPublicAssociate's | 9 | 43% | — | — |
| 46 | Hillsborough College Tampa, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 8 | 34% | — | — |
| 47 | Northern Essex Community College Haverhill, MAPublicAssociate's | 8 | 21% | — | — |
| 48 | Meridian Community College Meridian, MSPublicAssociate's | 7 | 34% | — | — |
| 49 | Long Island University Brookville, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 7 | 57% | $24,639 | — |
| 50 | Nash Community College Rocky Mount, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 41% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians field (CIP 10.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 33 states & territories
Where Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-4012, Broadcast Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as Broadcast Technicians, with an annual median wage of $53,920. The field is experiencing a decline of 2.8%, with approximately 1,800 annual job openings. Most positions typically require an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 10.0202
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Broadcast Techniciansprimary SOC 27-4012 | $59,570 | -2.8% Decline | ~1,800 | Associate's degree |
Film and Video Editors SOC 27-4032 | $75,420 | +4.0% About as fast as average | ~3,600 | Bachelor's degree |
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film SOC 27-4031 | $74,990 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~2,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Lighting Technicians SOC 27-4015 | $68,060 | -4.6% Decline | ~800 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Report equipment problems, ensure that repairs are made, and make emergency repairs to equipment when necessary and possible.
- Monitor and log transmitter readings.
- Maintain programming logs as required by station management and the Federal Communications Commission.
- Monitor strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals, and adjust equipment as necessary to maintain quality broadcasts.
- Observe monitors and converse with station personnel to determine audio and video levels and to ascertain that programs are airing.
- Preview scheduled programs to ensure that signals are functioning and programs are ready for transmission.
Tools and technology used
Other Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians (CIP 10.02).
- Recording Arts Technology/CIP 10.0203
Technician 3,670 graduates / yr173 institutions - Photographic and Film/CIP 10.0201
Video Technology/ Technician 1,328 graduates / yr103 institutions - Audiovisual Communications Technologies/CIP 10.0299
Technicians 841 graduates / yr17 institutions - Voice Writing Technology/CIP 10.0204
Technician limited data15 graduates / yr2 institutions
See all Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree, or shorter awards ranging from 12 weeks to 2 years.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, monitoring, and technical knowledge related to broadcasting.
What are the job prospects after graduation?+
While the job outlook shows a decline, there are still around 1,800 annual openings for Broadcast Technicians.
What tasks will I perform in this field?+
Tasks include monitoring signal quality, maintaining equipment, and ensuring compliance with programming logs.
What is the CIP code for Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician?+
Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician is CIP 10.0202 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians (CIP 10.02). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the production of radio and television programs, and related operations, under the supervision of broadcast and studio managers, directors, editors, and producers. Includes instruction in sound, lighting, and camera operation and maintenance; power and feed control; studio operations; production preparation; broadcast engineering; related computer applications; and specialized applications such as news, entertainment, live talk, sports, commercials, and taping.
How many institutions offer Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician programs?+
84 U.S. institutions reported Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 33 states & territories, awarding 1,488 credentials in the year. That is 20.3% of all Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Broadcast Technicians occupation, which Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $59,570 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $28,938 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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