Compare 20 Communication, General. programs in Wisconsin. Average earnings: $44,398.
The highest-earning Communication, General. program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $28K earnings gap across 20 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Wisconsin Lutheran College's Communication, General. program leads with graduates earning $52,791. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse follows at $50,597, while UW-Madison reaches $50,226. This tight competition among diverse institutions—private liberal arts, regional public, and flagship—proves program quality varies independently of school type.
Highest program earnings: $52,791
Strong outcomes with 79% acceptance
10.2% payment burden | Good
17.9% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Wisconsin Lutheran CollegePrivate | $52,791 | 10 | $26,000 | Good | $28,443 | High |
| #2 | $50,597 | 103 | $22,500 | Good | $16,958 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $50,226 | 290 | $20,484 | Good | $28,364 | High | |
| #4 | $49,483 | 40 | $20,909 | Good | $12,452 | Manageable | |
| #5 | Marquette UniversityPrivate | $49,182 | 32 | $23,940 | Manageable | $45,500 | High |
| #6 | $48,323 | 141 | $23,188 | Manageable | $18,635 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $47,265 | 37 | $21,500 | Good | $13,500 | Challenging | |
| #8 | Saint Norbert CollegePrivate | $45,621 | 53 | $26,731 | Manageable | $37,792 | High |
| #9 | Edgewood CollegePrivate | $45,470 | 28 | $24,424 | Manageable | $20,000 | High |
| #10 | Carroll UniversityPrivate | $45,379 | 6 | $27,000 | Manageable | $32,186 | High |
| #11 | Alverno CollegePrivate | $44,727 | 8 | $27,000 | Manageable | $18,500 | High |
| #12 | $44,718 | 31 | $20,500 | Manageable | $14,500 | Challenging | |
| #13 | Carthage CollegePrivate | $44,520 | 24 | $26,000 | Manageable | $42,940 | High |
| #14 | $43,995 | 332 | $23,000 | Manageable | $16,149 | High | |
| #15 | Lakeland UniversityPrivate | $42,689 | 12 | $25,000 | Manageable | $15,268 | High |
| #16 | $41,681 | 20 | $22,500 | Manageable | $12,006 | High | |
| #17 | $40,795 | 90 | $21,503 | Manageable | $14,012 | High | |
| #18 | $38,245 | 52 | $18,500 | Manageable | $13,480 | High | |
| #19 | $37,067 | 37 | $20,492 | Challenging | $13,139 | High | |
| #20 | Mount Mary UniversityPrivate | $25,194 | 7 | $25,288 | High | $18,000 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
