Median Earnings (1yr)
$37,440
55th percentile
60th percentile in Indiana
Median Debt
$28,948
7% above national median

Analysis

Indiana University-Southeast's Liberal Arts program sits squarely in the middle of the pack, ranking 60th percentile among Indiana schools while keeping debt below both state and national medians. Starting earnings of $37,440 outpace the typical Indiana liberal arts graduate by about $1,500, and graduates see solid 15% income growth over four years. The debt load of $28,948 is manageable—about 77% of first-year earnings—meaning graduates could realistically pay this off within 2-3 years of aggressive repayment.

The real story here is consistency rather than standout performance. This program won't match Notre Dame's $45,000+ outcomes, but it delivers predictable results at a regional campus where 34% of students receive Pell grants. The four-year earnings trajectory suggests graduates find stable footing in the job market, even if they're not commanding premium salaries.

For families choosing between Indiana liberal arts programs, this represents a sound middle-tier option—particularly if in-state tuition keeps overall costs down. The debt-to-earnings ratio indicates graduates won't be financially hamstrung, though they shouldn't expect the program itself to open doors to high-paying careers. It's a reasonable foundation for students who know they'll need graduate school or who value the flexibility of a broad liberal arts education, but families hoping for immediate strong earnings should look elsewhere.

Where Indiana University-Southeast Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Indiana University-Southeast graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Indiana University-Southeast$37,440$43,037+15%
University of Notre Dame$45,579$59,713+31%
University of Indianapolis$43,509$49,359+13%
University of Southern Indiana$34,573$45,153+31%
Indiana University-Indianapolis$41,499$43,495+5%

Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (39 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Indiana University-SoutheastNew Albany$8,179$37,440$43,037$28,9480.77
University of Notre DameNotre Dame$62,693$45,579$59,713$18,8000.41
Indiana Wesleyan University-National & GlobalMarion$8,216$43,763$39,636$27,0000.62
Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionMarion$31,168$43,763$39,636$27,0000.62
University of IndianapolisIndianapolis$36,136$43,509$49,359$31,0000.71
Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis$10,449$41,499$43,495$29,0000.70
National Median—$36,340—$27,0000.74

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities graduates

Postsecondary Teachers, All Other

All postsecondary teachers not listed separately.

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-Southeast, approximately 34% 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 64 graduates with reported earnings and 93 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.