Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at Indiana University-South Bend

Indiana University-South Bend's health sciences graduates start nearly $4,000 below both the state median ($36,411) and the national average ($35,279), landing in the 40th percentile among Indiana programs. That's a meaningful gap when comparing to in-state alternatives—Ball State and Purdue Global grads earn over $41,000 in their first year, representing a 27% earnings premium. The $25,551 in debt is reasonable and slightly below state averages, but the lower starting salary creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.78 that's workable yet leaves less financial breathing room than stronger programs.

For families prioritizing health services education in Indiana, this program represents bottom-third value within the state. The 86% admission rate and high Pell Grant percentage (41%) suggest IU-South Bend serves an important access mission, but parents should recognize their student will likely start with less earning power than peers from other state schools. If your child is considering this path, University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne or even IU-Kokomo (despite lower earnings) might warrant comparison based on location and specific career goals.

The practical takeaway: This isn't a debt disaster, but Indiana offers demonstrably better options for health sciences students who can access them. The roughly $8,000 annual earnings difference between this program and the state's top performers compounds significantly over a career's early years.