Communication and Media Studies at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

UW-Stevens Point's Communication and Media Studies program sits in an uncomfortable middle position within Wisconsin. While graduates start around $35,700—slightly above the national median—they're actually underperforming the state average by about $2,500. Among Wisconsin's 27 programs, this ranks in the 40th percentile, meaning most in-state alternatives deliver better outcomes. Even UW system peers like Oshkosh, Eau Claire, and La Crosse produce graduates earning $4,000-$7,000 more annually.

The debt picture offers some relief: $25,990 is reasonable for a four-year degree and places this program in the 38th percentile nationally for debt burden. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73 is manageable, and earnings do grow 14% by year four to nearly $41,000. Still, that year-four figure only brings graduates closer to where many Wisconsin competitors start their careers.

For Wisconsin families, this comes down to opportunity cost. If your child can access UW-Oshkosh or similar programs within the system, those appear to offer meaningfully better starting positions without significantly different debt loads. Stevens Point's program isn't problematic—the numbers work—but within the state's landscape, it's a middle-of-the-pack choice when stronger options exist at comparable public tuition rates.