Finance and Financial Management Services at Purdue University Global

Starting salaries of $40,918 with nearly $60,000 in debt creates a challenging financial picture for graduates of this finance program. That's roughly $14,000 below Indiana's median for finance programs and $12,700 below the national average—while the debt load is more than double both state and national norms. In practical terms, a graduate would be allocating most of their discretionary income to loan payments for years, making typical post-college goals like saving for a home or investing difficult to achieve.

The contrast with other Indiana options is striking. Purdue's main campus in the same city produces finance graduates earning $60,000—nearly 50% more—while comparable programs at Butler, Taylor, and other state schools all exceed $60,000 in starting pay. Even among Indiana's finance programs, this ranks in just the 25th percentile for earnings while carrying one of the state's highest debt burdens.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift with more data, but the gap is too large to dismiss. For a parent considering this program, the question is whether online convenience or other factors justify accepting significantly lower earning potential and higher debt than nearby alternatives. The Pell Grant data suggests the student body includes many who can least afford a weak return on investment. Unless there are compelling personal circumstances, exploring other Indiana finance programs would likely serve your child's financial future better.