Management Information Systems and Services at Ottawa University-Ottawa

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 suggests this program could work financially—borrowers would owe roughly five months of their first-year salary, which is manageable by most standards. Based on three comparable MIS programs in Kansas, first-year earnings of around $60,000 align closely with both state and national medians for this field. The estimated $26,581 in debt sits slightly above typical borrowing for MIS programs nationally ($24,000), but the gap isn't dramatic enough to fundamentally alter the investment calculus.

The real uncertainty here is whether Ottawa University's specific program performs like its state peers. The estimation draws from Kansas State and University of Kansas data, both larger public institutions with different student populations and recruiting networks. Ottawa's 35% Pell grant rate and 80% admission rate suggest a different student profile, which could mean different employment outcomes—though MIS skills tend to be portable across employers. Similar programs nationally produce consistent outcomes, which works in this program's favor, but smaller schools sometimes struggle with employer recognition in competitive tech markets.

For families comfortable with moderate debt, the fundamentals look reasonable—assuming Ottawa's graduates land jobs comparable to state peers. The risk is paying private school tuition (likely higher than the debt figure suggests if parents are contributing) for outcomes you might secure more predictably at Kansas State or KU. If Ottawa offers specific advantages like smaller classes or scheduling flexibility that make completion more likely, that could justify the choice despite the data uncertainty.