Information Science/Studies at Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech's Information Science certificate hits right at the national median for first-year earnings—$46,815—but with notably lower debt at just over $12,000. That 0.26 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates carry about three months' worth of salary in loans, which positions this as an accessible entry point into tech-adjacent work. Among Indiana's limited options for this certificate (only three schools offer it), Ivy Tech lands at the 60th percentile for earnings, suggesting it's competitive within the state.

The challenge here is interpreting limited data—with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could shift significantly with a larger sample. What we can say is that the debt load is manageable compared to what students typically borrow for similar credentials elsewhere (34th percentile nationally for debt). However, $47,000 isn't going to launch a high-paying tech career on its own; this certificate likely works best as a credential stacking opportunity or a foundation for further education.

For families seeking an affordable way to test the information technology waters or add technical skills to another degree, this program keeps financial risk low. Just understand you're looking at modest initial earnings, and the small graduate cohort means the school's track record here is still developing.