Business Administration, Management and Operations at Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech's business certificate sits below the middle of the pack in Indiana, with graduates earning $40,659 at the state median while this program produces $38,291 initially. That gap might seem modest, but it widens over time—earnings actually drop to $35,332 by year four, a concerning 8% decline when most credentials should be boosting earning power. At the 40th percentile statewide, this program underperforms six out of ten similar certificates in Indiana.

The debt load offers the one bright spot here: $10,125 is roughly half the state median and well below the national average. That translates to a manageable 0.26 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates can reasonably pay this off even with modest starting salaries. For students who absolutely need a quick credential on a tight budget, the low borrowing makes this less risky than alternatives.

The fundamental question is whether this certificate actually opens doors or merely delays entry into jobs that don't require a credential at all. With earnings declining rather than growing and performance consistently below state medians, parents should carefully consider whether their student might be better served either pursuing a full associate degree (which typically shows stronger earning trajectories) or entering the workforce directly. If this certificate is the path forward, keeping debt to an absolute minimum becomes critical.