Accounting at Ottawa University-Kansas City

Ottawa University-Kansas City's accounting graduates carry significantly more debt than their Kansas peers—$35,854 versus a state median of $25,125—while earning about $2,000 less annually. That debt burden, among the highest 5% nationally for accounting programs, matters even though the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 appears manageable on paper. A graduate here will face roughly $11,000 more in student loans than someone at Fort Hays State University who earns $5,000 more their first year out.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes it hard to know if these numbers represent a consistent pattern, but they're concerning enough to warrant serious consideration of alternatives. Kansas has strong accounting programs at public universities where students typically graduate with half the debt and better starting salaries. Wichita State and Kansas State both place graduates above $59,000 with far less borrowing. Even among private options, programs like Benedictine deliver better outcomes.

For a family weighing this investment, the question is whether Ottawa University-Kansas City offers something specific—location, schedule flexibility, or fit—that justifies both the premium cost and below-median earnings. If not, Kansas has plenty of accounting programs that better balance cost and outcomes.