Business/Commerce at Indiana State University

Indiana State's business program delivers results that lag behind most competitors—both nationally and within Indiana itself. First-year graduates earn $43,458, which falls below the state median of $47,406 and lands in just the 26th percentile nationally. Within Indiana, this program ranks at the 40th percentile, meaning three-fifths of comparable business programs produce higher earnings. The gap is substantial: nearby IU Bloomington graduates earn $71,100, while even regional IU campuses like South Bend ($48,238) outpace Indiana State by nearly $5,000.

The debt picture offers modest relief. At $24,562, graduates borrow slightly less than the state median, keeping the debt-to-earnings ratio manageable at 0.57. Earnings also show healthy growth—17% over four years—suggesting graduates aren't stuck at their starting salary. Still, even after four years, the $50,859 median remains well below what graduates from top Indiana programs earn in year one.

For a high-access institution serving 39% Pell Grant recipients, these outcomes reflect the school's mission more than its educational quality. But parents should understand the tradeoff: their child will likely start $4,000-$7,000 behind peers from other Indiana business programs, a gap that persists even as earnings grow. If your student has options at IU regional campuses or can gain admission to Bloomington or Notre Dame, those investments offer significantly stronger returns. Indiana State makes sense primarily as an affordable access point, not as a competitive business credential.