Business/Commerce at Indiana University-Southeast

A two-year business degree that costs $11,000 and leads to earnings around $45,000 represents a manageable investment—at least based on what similar programs in Indiana typically produce. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25 suggests graduates could feasibly pay off loans within a year or two of steady work, which is about as favorable as you'll find for an associate's credential.

The estimated first-year earnings align with Indiana's state median for business associate programs, placing IU-Southeast's graduates in competitive territory. While schools like Indiana Wesleyan report slightly higher outcomes ($49,463), the advantage there may not justify potentially higher costs or different program structures. More importantly, these Indiana figures exceed the national median ($36,591) by over $8,000, suggesting the state's business ecosystem offers decent opportunities for associate-level business graduates.

The real advantage here is the debt picture. At an estimated $11,000, this program appears to cost roughly half what peer Indiana programs typically require (state median: $24,252). If you're weighing whether a business associate's degree is worth pursuing, the math works better when you're not starting your career $20,000 in the hole. Just remember these figures reflect statewide patterns, not guaranteed outcomes—IU-Southeast's actual graduates might do better or worse depending on the program's local employer connections and career support.