Business Administration, Management and Operations at Indiana Institute of Technology

Indiana Tech's associate business program commands a premium price—$34,791 in median debt compared to just $15,306 at peer Indiana programs—yet delivers middle-of-the-pack results for the state. While graduates earn a solid $43,104 in their first year (60th percentile in Indiana), they could match these earnings at Ivy Tech Community College while borrowing less than half as much. The program does punch above its weight nationally, landing in the 89th percentile, but that's largely because the state's job market is strong rather than the program being exceptional.

The debt load is the real concern here. At nearly 81% of first-year earnings, graduates face one of the higher debt burdens in this field nationally (5th percentile). Minimal earnings growth—just 3% over four years—means that debt won't feel more manageable quickly. For context, Purdue Global graduates earn $8,000 more annually with similar program structures, and community college options offer comparable earnings at a fraction of the cost.

This program works if your child is set on the Indiana Tech experience and its smaller class environment, but purely as a financial investment, it's expensive for what it delivers. The community college route provides better value unless there are compelling non-financial reasons to choose this path.