Analysis
Grace College's business program sits squarely in the middle of Indiana's business education landscape, with estimated first-year earnings around $47,400 mirroring the state median. Based on comparable business programs in Indiana, graduates typically start near the national median of $47,500—far behind Notre Dame's $73,000 or IU-Bloomington's $71,000, but within striking distance of regional campuses like IU-South Bend. The estimated debt load of $27,000 is actually slightly higher than Indiana's typical $24,000 for business degrees, though it remains manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57.
The practical reality: if this program performs like similar Indiana business schools, your child would face monthly loan payments around $300 on a starting salary that should comfortably cover basic expenses plus debt service. That's neither spectacular nor worrisome—it's the middle-of-the-road outcome that defines most business programs outside elite institutions. The 81% admission rate and modest SAT average suggest Grace isn't competing for the same students as Notre Dame, and the earnings gap reflects that reality.
The uncertainty here matters more than usual because we're working entirely with estimates from peer programs. If Grace's outcomes meaningfully differ from the state median—either better or worse—you won't know until actual graduate data becomes available. For families prioritizing predictability, Indiana's larger public universities offer both transparent outcomes data and similar salary prospects at potentially lower cost.
Where Grace College and Theological Seminary Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana
Business/Commerce bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (22 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,034 | $47,406* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $62,693 | $73,170* | $84,414 | —* | — | |
| $11,790 | $71,100* | $89,404 | $19,500* | 0.27 | |
| $8,179 | $54,860* | $57,188 | $25,250* | 0.46 | |
| $10,449 | $52,467* | $59,798 | $22,003* | 0.42 | |
| $8,179 | $48,238* | $51,179 | $20,500* | 0.42 | |
| National Median | — | $47,506* | — | $26,000* | 0.55 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates
Sales Managers
Industrial Production Managers
Quality Control Systems Managers
Geothermal Production Managers
Biofuels Production Managers
Biomass Power Plant Managers
Hydroelectric Production Managers
Construction Managers
Administrative Services Managers
Facilities Managers
Security Managers
Chief Executives
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Grace College and Theological Seminary, approximately 29% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 12 similar programs in IN. Actual outcomes may vary.