Best institutions to study Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia
A program that focuses on the development, use, critical evaluation, and regulation of new electronic communication technologies using computer applications; and that prepares individuals to function as developers and managers of digital communications media.
416 U.S. institutions graduated 11,911 Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 09.0702, a specialization of Radio (CIP 09.07), and leads most directly to the Web and Digital Interface Designers occupation (BLS SOC 15-1255).
About Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia programs
A program that focuses on the development, use, critical evaluation, and regulation of new electronic communication technologies using computer applications; and that prepares individuals to function as developers and managers of digital communications media. Includes instruction in computer and telecommunications technologies and processes; design and development of digital communications; marketing and distribution; digital communications regulation, law, and policy; the study of human interaction with, and use of, digital media; and emerging trends and issues.
See also: 50.0102 - Digital Arts.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia program, with a focus on Radio, prepares students for the evolving landscape of electronic communication technologies. This program is ideal for individuals interested in developing, managing, and critically evaluating digital media, equipping them with the skills necessary to thrive in various communication roles.
Students will engage in coursework covering computer and telecommunications technologies, digital communications design and development, marketing strategies, and the regulatory landscape of digital media. This comprehensive education fosters a deep understanding of human interaction with digital platforms and emerging trends in the field.
Credentials awarded
What Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree6,645 graduates / yr · 234 institutions56%
- Master's degree3,127 graduates / yr · 86 institutions26%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1,069 graduates / yr · 64 institutions9.0%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years422 graduates / yr · 35 institutions3.5%
- Associate's degree394 graduates / yr · 60 institutions3.3%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate107 graduates / yr · 20 institutions0.9%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship93 graduates / yr · 13 institutions0.8%
- Award of less than 12 weeks45 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.4%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
- Post-master's certificate4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,702 |
| 2013 | 3,350 |
| 2014 | 3,618 |
| 2015 | 4,294 |
| 2016 | 4,877 |
| 2017 | 6,005 |
| 2018 | 6,849 |
| 2019 | 7,702 |
| 2020 | 8,769 |
| 2021 | 9,783 |
| 2022 | 10,206 |
| 2023 | 10,535 |
| 2024 | 11,021 |
| 2025 | 11,911 |
Top 50 institutions for Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, 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 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 642 | 95% | $14,799 | $24,611 |
| 2 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 542 | 88% | $29,023 | $47,666 |
| 3 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 467 | 0% | — | $35,981 |
| 4 | Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 430 | 69% | $44,902 | $40,139 |
| 5 | University of Mississippi University, MSPublicBachelor's | 303 | 72% | — | $41,247 |
| 6 | Pratt Institute - Main Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 301 | 74% | $49,088 | — |
| 7 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 282 | 86% | — | $32,227 |
| 8 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 250 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 9 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 249 | 90% | — | — |
| 10 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor's | 197 | 86% | — | $39,030 |
| 11 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 187 | 90% | — | $41,858 |
| 12 | Ball State University Muncie, INPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 183 | 62% | — | $32,118 |
| 13 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 171 | 60% | — | $32,416 |
| 14 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 168 | 52% | — | $31,994 |
| 15 | Fordham University Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 166 | 82% | $38,931 | $45,931 |
| 16 | Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FLPublicBachelor's | 157 | 63% | — | $26,926 |
| 17 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 149 | 65% | $28,911 | $34,506 |
| 18 | The New School New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 145 | 69% | $54,185 | $32,169 |
| 19 | Towson University Towson, MDPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 141 | 69% | — | $22,997 |
| 20 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 141 | 45% | — | — |
| 21 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 117 | 89% | $21,956 | $37,225 |
| 22 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 114 | 68% | — | $35,981 |
| 23 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster's | 112 | 85% | — | — |
| 24 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 109 | 80% | — | $50,938 |
| 25 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor's | 107 | 55% | — | $31,977 |
| 26 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicBachelor's | 100 | 74% | — | $35,827 |
| 27 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicMaster's | 95 | 78% | — | $27,148 |
| 28 | Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 90 | — | — | — |
| 29 | Westcliff University Irvine, CAPrivate for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 86 | 62% | $26,754 | — |
| 30 | Maryland Institute College of Art Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 85 | 72% | $37,659 | — |
| 31 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 84 | 83% | — | $33,788 |
| 32 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 84 | 94% | — | $76,507 |
| 33 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center New York, NYPublicMaster's | 84 | — | — | — |
| 34 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicBachelor's | 84 | 70% | — | $30,036 |
| 35 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicBachelor's | 81 | 54% | — | $28,508 |
| 36 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 81 | 70% | $28,133 | $71,549 |
| 37 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 80 | 74% | — | — |
| 38 | State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, NYPublicBachelor's | 80 | 72% | — | $23,551 |
| 39 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 78 | 69% | — | $31,546 |
| 40 | The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TXPublicBachelor's | 77 | 50% | — | $21,182 |
| 41 | Pace University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 73 | 60% | $29,994 | — |
| 42 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SCPublicBachelor's | 65 | 79% | — | $33,941 |
| 43 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor's | 65 | 84% | — | $41,107 |
| 44 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 62 | 95% | $22,242 | — |
| 45 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, PAPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 61 | 54% | — | $22,057 |
| 46 | Yeshiva University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 60 | 83% | $39,696 | — |
| 47 | Illinois Media School - Chicago Campus Chicago, ILPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 60 | 61% | $25,472 | $18,740 |
| 48 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicMaster's | 58 | 93% | — | — |
| 49 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 57 | 96% | $11,666 | — |
| 50 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJPublicBachelor's | 57 | 65% | — | $29,633 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Radio field (CIP 09.07) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 49 states & territories
Where Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia graduates come from. Each state links to all Radio programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-1255, Web and Digital Interface Designers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Web and Digital Interface Designers, among other roles. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 7% and approximately 9,100 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is around $98,090, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 09.0702
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Web and Digital Interface Designersprimary SOC 15-1255 | $104,000 | +7.0% Faster than average | ~9,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Media and Communication Workers, All Other SOC 27-3099 | $73,620 | +2.7% About as fast as average | ~3,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1122 | $78,580 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~2,700 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
What graduates do on the job
- Collaborate with management or users to develop e-commerce strategies and to integrate these strategies with Web sites.
- Collaborate with web development professionals, such as front-end or back-end developers, to complete the full scope of Web development projects.
- Communicate with network personnel or Web site hosting agencies to address hardware or software issues affecting Web sites.
- Conduct user research to determine design requirements and analyze user feedback to improve design quality.
- Confer with management or development teams to prioritize needs, resolve conflicts, develop content criteria, or choose solutions.
- Create searchable indices for Web page content.
Tools and technology used
Other Radio specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Radio (CIP 09.07).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or shorter awards ranging from 12 weeks to 2 academic years.
What skills will I gain?+
You'll learn about digital communications design, e-commerce strategies, user research, and collaboration with web development teams.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Web and Digital Interface Designer, among other roles in media and communication.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 7% and around 9,100 openings annually.
What is the CIP code for Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia?+
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia is CIP 09.0702 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Radio (CIP 09.07). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the development, use, critical evaluation, and regulation of new electronic communication technologies using computer applications; and that prepares individuals to function as developers and managers of digital communications media. Includes instruction in computer and telecommunications technologies and processes; design and development of digital communications; marketing and distribution; digital communications regulation, law, and policy; the study of human interaction with, and use of, digital media; and emerging trends and issues.
How many institutions offer Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia programs?+
416 U.S. institutions reported Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 49 states & territories, awarding 11,911 credentials in the year. That is 63.1% of all Radio graduates.
How much do Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Web and Digital Interface Designers occupation, which Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia most directly leads to, pays a median of $104,000 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Radio field report median earnings of $30,355 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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