Economics at Indiana University-Indianapolis

Indiana University-Indianapolis's economics program lags behind both the state median ($57,962) and national median ($51,722) in first-year earnings, placing it in the bottom quartile among Indiana economics programs. Starting at $45,443, graduates earn less than their peers at every other flagship university in the state—Bloomington's IU economics grads start at $59,142, while Purdue's begin at $59,187. This is notable given both are public institutions with similar accessibility.

The positive news is the 32% earnings growth over four years, bringing graduates to nearly $60,000 by year four, which closes the gap considerably. The debt load of $18,711 is also manageable, below both state and national averages, resulting in a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41. For a student choosing this program over IU-Bloomington's economics program, they'd save money on debt but likely sacrifice $15,000+ in early career earnings—a significant difference that compounds over time.

The gap between this campus and Bloomington's economics program is substantial enough that if your child qualifies for both, the Bloomington program appears to offer stronger market positioning. However, if Indianapolis is the financially viable option or career plans involve staying in the city, the moderate debt load provides flexibility for graduate school or career pivots while earnings trajectory suggests long-term competitiveness.