Health/Medical Preparatory Programs at Indiana University-Indianapolis

The small sample size here makes firm conclusions risky, but IU-Indianapolis's health preparatory program shows a pattern worth examining closely: graduates start well below both state and national medians at $28,892, then more than double their earnings by year four to $52,078. That 80% earnings jump is dramatic—suggesting many graduates may be completing professional programs (PA, pharmacy, nursing) after this degree. If that's the pathway your child is taking, the low initial earnings make sense as a transitional phase. However, if they're planning to work immediately after this bachelor's degree, starting $4,000 below Indiana's median for these programs is a real disadvantage.

The debt load of $22,464 is reasonable relative to the modest first-year earnings, and the eventual jump to $52,000 makes the investment work if your child follows through on additional training. But sitting at the 40th percentile among Indiana programs means this isn't a standout option in-state—Ball State's graduates, for instance, earn $37,638 right out of the gate. The risk here is clear: if plans change and your child doesn't pursue graduate-level healthcare training, those first few years at $29,000 could stretch thin. This program appears designed as a stepping stone, not a destination, so make sure your family is committed to the full educational journey beyond the bachelor's degree.