Communication and Media Studies at Ottawa University-Ottawa

Ottawa University-Ottawa's Communication and Media Studies program sits squarely in Kansas' middle tier, matching the state median but trailing stronger in-state options by $5,000-7,000 annually. The first-year salary of $33,465 falls slightly below the national average, though graduates here carry manageable debt loads—$2,000 below the national typical burden and ranking in the 25th percentile nationally. That 0.81 debt-to-earnings ratio means students borrow less than a year's salary, which is reasonable for a communications degree.

The reality check: University of Kansas and Washburn graduates earn roughly $6,500-7,300 more right out of the gate with similar debt levels. If your child can gain admission to those programs (both are modestly selective public universities), the financial advantage is immediate and meaningful. Ottawa serves a different student population—it's far more accessible with an 80% admission rate and lower test scores—so it may be the right fit for students who need that pathway. But financially, it's middle-of-the-road performance in a state with better options.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty to these figures, so one unusually good or bad year could skew the data considerably. If Ottawa is the most realistic option due to location, affordability, or admissions criteria, the debt level won't bury your child. Just understand that other Kansas schools deliver better financial outcomes in this same field.