Business Administration, Management and Operations at Ottawa University-Ottawa

Ottawa University's business program puts graduates $6,000 ahead of the national median in their first year—a solid starting point that matches the Kansas state median. With debt of $27,000, students finish with a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52, meaning they owe roughly half of what they'll earn in their first year. That's better than three-quarters of business programs nationally in terms of keeping debt contained.

The challenge is what happens next: earnings essentially flatline over the following three years, growing just 1%. Meanwhile, competitors across Kansas show first-year earnings ranging from $56,000 to $60,000, with Ottawa ranking 60th percentile statewide. For students who could gain admission to schools like University of Kansas or MidAmerica Nazarene, those programs deliver $4,000-$7,000 more annually from the start. The admissions rate of 80% and modest average SAT suggest Ottawa is accessible, but that accessibility comes with a ceiling on earning potential.

For families prioritizing immediate job placement over rapid salary growth, Ottawa delivers a functional outcome: decent starting pay, reasonable debt, and stability. But if your child has options among Kansas schools, the numbers suggest looking at programs where earnings climb rather than plateau—particularly if the debt burden would be similar.