Business/Commerce (Bachelor's Degree) at Indiana University-Bloomington

Median Earnings (1yr)

$71,100

95th percentile

80th percentile in Indiana

Median Debt

$19,500

25% below national median

Analysis

Indiana University-Bloomington's business program delivers exceptional value that places it among the elite nationwide. With first-year earnings of $71,100—ranking in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile in Indiana—graduates earn 50% more than the typical business major and significantly outpace the national 75th percentile of $54,742. Only Notre Dame's business program in Indiana produces higher-earning graduates, making IU-Bloomington a standout performer in a competitive field.

The financial picture is equally impressive. At just $19,500 in median debt (compared to $26,000 nationally and $24,074 statewide), students graduate with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27—meaning they owe less than three months of their starting salary. This combination of high earnings and low debt places the program in the 95th percentile nationally for debt management, a remarkable achievement that reflects both strong job placement and reasonable costs.

The 26% earnings growth over four years, reaching $89,404, demonstrates the program's long-term value and the strength of IU's alumni network. With an 80% admission rate and the backing of a major research university, this program offers accessible entry to a high-performing business education. For parents concerned about ROI, this represents one of the best business degree investments available, combining strong earnings potential with manageable debt levels.

Where Indiana University-Bloomington Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Indiana University-Bloomington graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Indiana University-Bloomington	$71,100	$89,404	+26%
University of Notre Dame	$73,170	$84,414	+15%
Indiana University-Indianapolis	$52,467	$59,798	+14%
Holy Cross College	$33,043	$58,185	+76%
Indiana University-East	$54,860	$57,188	+4%

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
Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington	$11,790	$71,100	$89,404	$19,500	0.27
University of Notre DameNotre Dame	$62,693	$73,170	$84,414	—	—
Indiana University-EastRichmond	$8,179	$54,860	$57,188	$25,250	0.46
Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis	$10,449	$52,467	$59,798	$22,003	0.42
Indiana University-South BendSouth Bend	$8,179	$48,238	$51,179	$20,500	0.42
Indiana University-SoutheastNew Albany	$8,179	$47,862	$55,336	$22,062	0.46
National Median	—	$47,506	—	$26,000	0.55

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

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 Indiana University-Bloomington, approximately 17% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 1243 graduates with reported earnings and 1219 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.