Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Indiana University-East

Indiana University-East's liberal arts graduates start at nearly $40,000—comfortably above both the national and Indiana medians for this degree. The program ranks in the 60th percentile statewide, outperforming most other Indiana schools offering this degree. At $29,072, the debt load sits just slightly above typical levels but remains manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73, meaning graduates earn enough in their first year to cover the debt in under nine months of gross income.

The catch? Earnings actually drop by 7% between years one and four, falling to $37,141. This unusual trajectory suggests graduates may be taking jobs with strong starting salaries but limited advancement, or that early career paths aren't building toward higher-paying positions. Still, even at the four-year mark, these graduates earn more than the state median for this degree.

For families weighing this option, the question is whether that initial earning advantage justifies the stagnant trajectory. The debt is reasonable, and graduates start ahead of their peers, but you're not buying into strong earnings growth. If your child can use that first job strategically—to build skills, network, or pivot into a clearer career path—the strong start could be worth it. But banking on automatic salary increases would be a mistake.