Communication and Media Studies at Ottawa University-Milwaukee

Ottawa University-Milwaukee's Communication and Media Studies program produces graduates earning $33,465 in their first year—roughly $5,000 below the state median and in the bottom half of Wisconsin programs. When nearly every University of Wisconsin campus delivers starting salaries in the $40,000-$42,000 range, that gap represents a meaningful difference in financial footing right out of college.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $27,000, borrowing here runs close to typical levels for this major, and the 0.81 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates should be able to manage payments, even if money will be tight in those early years. With 46% of students receiving Pell grants, this campus clearly serves students who may have fewer financial alternatives, which adds important context to these outcomes.

The small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means these numbers could shift significantly year to year, so they're best viewed as directional rather than definitive. For families comparing Wisconsin options, the $7,000-$9,000 earnings gap versus top UW campuses is hard to ignore. Unless location or program-specific factors make Ottawa-Milwaukee uniquely suited to your student's needs, the data suggests exploring those higher-performing state alternatives first.