Graphic Communications at Carroll University

Carroll's graphic communications program performs impressively against national benchmarks—ranking in the 90th percentile for graduate earnings—but within Wisconsin, it's middle-of-the-pack. While $40,825 starting and $46,659 after four years beats most programs nationally, it falls short of Wisconsin's strong median of $44,784 and trails UW-Stout by about $2,000 initially. The $27,000 debt load is reasonable (25th percentile nationally), creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 that's manageable for a creative field.

The real question is whether Carroll's smaller setting justifies potentially leaving money on the table compared to Wisconsin's public alternatives. The 14% earnings growth suggests steady career progression, and some families will value Carroll's 58% admission rate and private college environment. However, with only a handful of Wisconsin schools offering this program, comparing options carefully makes sense.

The small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means these numbers could shift significantly year to year, so they're more directional than definitive. If your child is drawn to Carroll specifically for campus culture or other programs, these outcomes won't derail their career. But for graphic communications alone, Wisconsin's public options appear to deliver stronger financial returns without meaningfully higher debt.