Business Administration, Management and Operations at Marian University

Indiana business programs at the associate level suggest first-year earnings around $43,100, which would put Marian's graduates roughly in line with state peers—but the estimated $24,200 debt load tells a different story. That's 58% higher than what's typical for Indiana business associate programs ($15,300) and 73% above the national median. While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 appears manageable on paper, comparable programs in the state are achieving similar outcomes with significantly less student borrowing.

The earnings projection itself offers some reassurance: it exceeds the national median for business associate degrees by nearly $9,000 and matches what's typical across Indiana programs. If those earnings hold, graduates would be clearing roughly $3,600 monthly before taxes—enough to service the debt payments without extreme hardship. However, the elevated borrowing raises questions about program efficiency, particularly when Ivy Tech Community College places graduates at $39,000 with presumably lower debt loads as a public institution.

For families, this means weighing Marian's private college environment against programs that deliver comparable career entry points with less financial burden. The numbers suggest this path is workable but not optimal—you'd be paying a premium that doesn't translate to meaningfully better job prospects. If affordability is a priority, exploring Indiana's community college options or investigating whether Marian offers substantial aid packages would be prudent steps before committing.