Location: Indianapolis, IN•In-State Tuition: $10,449•Out-of-State Tuition: $33,717•Admission Rate: 81%•Avg SAT: 1146
Median Earnings (1yr)
$52,467
67th percentile
60th percentile in Indiana
Median Debt
$22,003
15% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.42 ManageableSample: 717 graduates

Analysis

IU-Indianapolis delivers solid value for business students, with graduates earning $52,467 in their first year—outperforming both national and Indiana medians by about $5,000. Among Indiana's 22 business programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, placing it in the upper half of state options. While it trails the premium programs at Notre Dame and IU-Bloomington, it significantly outpaces other regional IU campuses and offers much better accessibility with an 81% admission rate.

The debt picture tells an encouraging story. At $22,003, student debt sits well below both national ($26,000) and state ($24,074) medians for business programs. This creates a favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42, meaning graduates owe less than half their first-year salary—a manageable burden that most financial advisors would consider reasonable. The 14% earnings growth over four years also suggests good career trajectory potential.

For families seeking a business degree that balances quality with affordability, IU-Indianapolis represents a practical choice. The combination of above-average earnings and below-average debt creates genuine value, especially for students who might not qualify for the state's most selective programs. With robust sample data backing these figures, parents can feel confident this program delivers on its promises without the premium price tag of elite alternatives.

Where Indiana University-Indianapolis Stands

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

Indiana University-IndianapolisOther business/commerce programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Indiana University-Indianapolis graduates compare to all programs nationally

Indiana University-Indianapolis earns $52k — 67th percentile among business/commerce bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Indiana University-Indianapolis$52,467$59,798+14%
Indiana University-Bloomington$71,100$89,404+26%
University of Notre Dame$73,170$84,414+15%
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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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis$10,449$52,467$59,798$22,0030.42
University of Notre DameNotre Dame$62,693$73,170$84,414——
Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington$11,790$71,100$89,404$19,5000.27
Indiana University-EastRichmond$8,179$54,860$57,188$25,2500.46
Indiana University-South BendSouth Bend$8,179$48,238$51,179$20,5000.42
Indiana University-SoutheastNew Albany$8,179$47,862$55,336$22,0620.46
National Median—$47,506—$26,0000.55

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-Indianapolis, approximately 36% 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 717 graduates with reported earnings and 634 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.