Analysis
The numbers here reveal a troubling financial equation that Indiana parents should examine carefully. At $57,500 in median debt—nearly 30% more than the state median for human services programs—Purdue Global graduates are carrying substantially heavier loan burdens than peers at comparable Indiana schools. Meanwhile, first-year earnings of $36,020 trail the state median and place this program in just the 40th percentile among Indiana human services degrees.
What makes this particularly concerning is the debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.60, meaning graduates owe roughly 19 months of gross income. While human services is traditionally a lower-paying but stable field, almost every other Indiana program offers similar or better earnings outcomes with significantly less debt. Indiana Institute of Technology graduates, for instance, earn $4,000 more annually while Indiana Wesleyan grads achieve median earnings with about $13,000 less in typical debt.
The 4% earnings growth over four years—from $36,020 to $37,570—suggests limited room for graduates to quickly grow out of their debt burden. For families considering Purdue Global specifically for its online flexibility, this premium comes at a steep financial cost that will take years to resolve on a human services salary, especially when nearly half of students qualify for Pell grants and may have fewer family resources to help manage repayment.
Where Purdue University Global Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all human services bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Purdue University Global graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue University Global | $36,020 | $37,570 | +4% |
| Indiana Institute of Technology | $40,180 | $36,707 | -9% |
| Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies | $40,180 | $36,707 | -9% |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion | $37,366 | $30,203 | -19% |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global | $37,366 | $30,203 | -19% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana
Human Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (10 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Purdue University GlobalWest Lafayette | $10,110 | $36,020 | $37,570 | $57,500 | 1.60 |
 Indiana Institute of TechnologyFort Wayne | $30,446 | $40,180 | $36,707 | $47,683 | 1.19 |
 Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional StudiesFort Wayne | $9,900 | $40,180 | $36,707 | $47,683 | 1.19 |
 Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionMarion | $31,168 | $37,366 | $30,203 | $40,228 | 1.08 |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-National & GlobalMarion | $8,216 | $37,366 | $30,203 | $40,228 | 1.08 |
| National Median | — | $36,630 | — | $31,573 | 0.86 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with human services graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Purdue University Global, approximately 48% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.