Accounting at Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech's accounting program keeps debt manageable at just over $13,000—roughly half what typical Indiana accounting programs charge—but earnings lag behind. Graduates earn around $36,000 initially, placing them below average for Indiana accounting programs (40th percentile statewide). More concerning, incomes don't grow over the first four years; they actually dip slightly to $35,353. Compare this to Indiana Wesleyan's accounting grads who earn nearly $53,000, and the gap becomes harder to ignore.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 means graduates face roughly four months of gross income in student loans, which is quite reasonable. But the real question is whether lower debt compensates for earnings that trail the state median by $3,500 annually. Over a decade, that earnings gap could exceed $35,000—far more than the tuition savings. The flat earnings trajectory also suggests limited advancement opportunities, at least in the early career years.

For families prioritizing affordability above all else, this program delivers a credential without crushing debt. But if your student has options to attend a stronger accounting program—even at modestly higher cost—the long-term earnings advantage likely justifies it. The lighter debt load here is genuine, but it comes paired with below-average earning power in a state where better accounting programs demonstrably exist.