Hospitality Administration/Management at Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech's hospitality program outperforms most Indiana competitors—ranking at the 60th percentile statewide—but trails the national median by about $1,700 annually. The $27,031 first-year earnings place graduates slightly below the national average for associate-level hospitality programs, though the debt burden of $16,500 is manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61. Earnings nudge upward to $28,078 by year four, suggesting modest but steady career progression in Indiana's hospitality sector.

The real story is the in-state comparison. With only three schools offering this program in Indiana, Ivy Tech sits comfortably above the state median of $24,710. That's a meaningful advantage if your child plans to work locally in Indianapolis or elsewhere in Indiana, where cost of living is lower than many national markets. The debt load is higher than the state average, but not dramatically so—and the gap closes when you consider Ivy Tech's stronger earning potential.

For families focused on keeping costs down while staying in-state, this program offers reasonable value. The earnings won't be impressive compared to other fields, but they're competitive within hospitality and sufficient for independent living in Indianapolis. Just understand that hospitality careers often require working up from entry-level positions, and the four-year earnings suggest that climb is gradual rather than steep.