Business/Commerce (Bachelor's Degree) at Valparaiso University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$47,406

Est. from IN median (12 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$27,000

Est. from national median (93 programs)

Analysis

Business programs across Indiana show dramatic variation in outcomes, with Notre Dame graduates earning $73,000 compared to a state median around $47,000. Based on comparable business bachelor's programs in Indiana, Valparaiso students can expect first-year earnings near that median—essentially matching the national benchmark for business degrees. With an estimated $27,000 in debt, this translates to roughly seven months of gross earnings, a manageable burden that positions graduates to begin building careers without crushing financial strain.

What works in Valparaiso's favor is the fundamental solidity of business credentials—companies consistently hire business majors, and the skills translate across industries and geographies. The 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio sits comfortably within standard lending guidelines. However, the wide gap between Valparaiso's estimated outcomes and Indiana's flagship programs reveals an important reality: not all business degrees command equal market value. Parents should understand that similar programs at IU-Bloomington deliver 50% higher starting salaries, which compounds significantly over a career.

The estimation here matters because it leaves open the possibility that Valparaiso's actual graduates perform better or worse than these peer-based projections suggest. For families comfortable with the estimated $27,000 debt load and realistic about mid-market salary expectations for Indiana business graduates, this represents a conventional path forward—just don't expect the premium outcomes that Indiana's selective programs deliver.

Where Valparaiso University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana

Business/Commerce bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (22 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Valparaiso UniversityValparaiso	$46,588	$47,406*	—	$27,000*	—
University of Notre DameNotre Dame	$62,693	$73,170*	$84,414	—*	—
Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington	$11,790	$71,100*	$89,404	$19,500*	0.27
Indiana University-EastRichmond	$8,179	$54,860*	$57,188	$25,250*	0.46
Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis	$10,449	$52,467*	$59,798	$22,003*	0.42
Indiana University-South BendSouth Bend	$8,179	$48,238*	$51,179	$20,500*	0.42
National Median	—	$47,506*	—	$26,000*	0.55

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

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 Valparaiso University, approximately 26% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 12 similar programs in IN. Actual outcomes may vary.