Best Communication and Media Studies Degrees in Wisconsin by ROI
Colleges in Wisconsin ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in Wisconsin
19
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$175,251
Across Wisconsin programs
Average Annual Cost
$32,697
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Wisconsin Lutheran College
Grad rate: 64.9% |
-$45,224 | $49,144 | $47,026 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Grad rate: 62.9% |
-$57,144 | $44,630 | $18,661 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Grad rate: 66.4% |
-$83,521 | $43,561 | $21,014 | $22,730 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Grad rate: 70.5% |
-$83,694 | $43,089 | $18,115 | $24,455 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Grad rate: 60.0% |
-$94,290 | $42,835 | $19,576 | $24,212 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Grad rate: 89.3% |
-$128,947 | $42,676 | $27,770 | $23,250 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Grad rate: 39.9% |
-$139,212 | $40,148 | $16,768 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Carroll University
Grad rate: 68.3% |
-$155,140 | $44,230 | $49,935 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Grad rate: 49.6% |
-$166,876 | $39,846 | $22,174 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Lakeland University
Grad rate: 53.7% |
-$169,084 | $42,696 | $45,751 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Grad rate: 56.0% |
-$199,982 | $37,516 | $18,804 | $25,990 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Grad rate: 52.7% |
-$205,107 | $37,039 | $18,161 | $24,625 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Alverno College
Grad rate: 51.5% |
-$216,112 | $40,027 | $44,163 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Edgewood College
Grad rate: 65.0% |
-$224,007 | $42,059 | $48,450 | $23,250 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
University of Wisconsin-Superior
Grad rate: 42.0% |
-$225,395 | $36,337 | $18,415 | $28,500 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Communication and Media Studies Degrees by State
Browse Communication and Media Studies programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.