Communication and Media Studies at Wisconsin Lutheran College

Wisconsin Lutheran College's communication program graduates carry an estimated $26,000 in debt—fairly typical for the field—into a first-year salary that peer programs in Wisconsin suggest hovers around $38,000. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68, that initial burden looks manageable, but the real story emerges in year four when earnings jump to nearly $53,000. That's a notable increase and suggests graduates build momentum in their careers.

This trajectory puts Wisconsin Lutheran in competitive territory with established state programs. The four-year mark of $52,791 surpasses what graduates from UW-Superior, UW-Oshkosh, and other Wisconsin communication programs typically earn early on. That's particularly meaningful given that these estimates are based on limited graduate data—the actual pool is small enough that the Department of Education suppressed the school's specific figures.

The takeaway: If your child attends Wisconsin Lutheran, the estimated debt load aligns with what communication majors across Wisconsin typically borrow, and the earnings pattern by year four looks promising compared to peer institutions. However, remember these figures reflect similar programs statewide, not confirmed outcomes for this specific school. Before committing, ask the college directly about their employment outcomes and whether they track where recent communication graduates land—actual placement data matters more than statewide estimates when the graduating class is this small.