Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Ivy Tech Community College

This certificate program starts slow but shows something surprising: graduates earning $22,188 in year one see their income jump to $33,105 by year four—a 49% increase that suggests the credential opens doors that take time to walk through. Still, that first year sits in the 10th percentile among Indiana's liberal arts programs, meaning nine out of ten similar programs in the state post stronger initial earnings.

The debt picture offers some relief. At just over $9,000, students borrow less than the $15,000 Indiana median for these certificates, and the 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio means first-year debt equals roughly five months of income. By year four, when earnings reach $33,105, the debt becomes even more manageable. That said, graduates at Indiana University-Bloomington and Vincennes start earning more right away, though likely with bachelor's degrees rather than certificates.

The bottom line: This works best if your child needs a quick, affordable credential while working full-time—the low debt won't trap them, and earnings do climb substantially. But if they can pursue a bachelor's degree instead, other Indiana options offer stronger immediate returns. This is a stepping stone, not a destination, and it functions reasonably well in that role.