Business Administration, Management and Operations at Purdue University-Main Campus

Purdue's business certificate program commands a significant premium—graduates earn nearly double the national median at $72K in their first year—but comes with an unusual earnings pattern that deserves attention. While the program ranks in the 95th percentile both nationally and within Indiana, earnings actually decline to $62K by year four, a 14% drop that's uncommon for business programs.

The debt picture partially offsets concerns about the earnings decline. At $19,500, graduates carry manageable debt that represents just 27% of first-year earnings—well below typical student loan burdens. This puts the program in the 25th percentile nationally for debt, meaning 75% of similar programs saddle students with more borrowing. Even with the earnings drop, the debt remains reasonable relative to fourth-year income.

The earnings trajectory raises questions about whether these high initial salaries reflect temporary positions or industry-specific roles that don't offer long-term growth. However, even at the four-year mark, graduates still out-earn peers from other Indiana programs by over $20K annually. For families comfortable with Purdue's academic rigor and the premium positioning, this certificate delivers strong immediate returns with acceptable debt levels, though parents should understand they're paying for front-loaded earning potential rather than steady career growth.