Compare 19 General Studies. programs in Indiana. Average earnings: $42,530.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, General Studies tells a different story. Across 19 programs in Indiana, earnings range from $32,940 to $64,701—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Purdue University-Main Campus leads with General Studies graduates earning $64,701, well above the state average of $42,530. The University of Notre Dame follows at $59,713, while University of Indianapolis rounds out the top three at $49,359—demonstrating that program-level factors drive the $31K earnings spread.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Purdue graduates borrow $19,500 and face just a 6.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making strong outcomes truly affordable.
Highest program earnings: $64,701
Strong outcomes with 50.3% acceptance
6.3% payment burden | Excellent
17.4% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $64,701 | 6 | $19,500 | Excellent | $29,448 | Manageable | |
| #2 | University Of Notre DamePrivate | $59,713 | 47 | $19,000 | Excellent | $40,731 | Challenging |
| #3 | University Of IndianapolisPrivate | $49,359 | 28 | $26,864 | Manageable | $23,490 | High |
| #4 | $45,153 | 35 | $20,105 | Manageable | $13,626 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $43,495 | 264 | $20,000 | Manageable | $17,205 | High | |
| #6 | $43,297 | 238 | $19,509 | Manageable | $32,850 | High | |
| #7 | $43,037 | 96 | $19,684 | Manageable | $10,909 | Challenging | |
| #8 | Ball State UniversityPublic | $42,167 | 249 | $23,250 | Manageable | $20,800 | High |
| #9 | $41,091 | 68 | $16,961 | Manageable | $11,210 | Challenging | |
| #10 | Anderson UniversityPrivate | $40,022 | 14 | $27,000 | Challenging | $29,048 | High |
| #11 | Bethel UniversityPrivate | $39,960 | 17 | $25,000 | Challenging | $15,256 | High |
| #12 | $39,636 | 69 | $24,250 | Challenging | $12,987 | High | |
| #13 | $39,584 | 85 | $21,500 | Manageable | $12,362 | High | |
| #14 | $39,427 | 55 | $21,710 | Manageable | $12,000 | High | |
| #15 | $38,006 | 84 | $21,355 | Challenging | $12,486 | High | |
| #16 | Indiana University-EastPublic | $37,141 | 62 | $18,000 | Manageable | $13,042 | High |
| #17 | Valparaiso UniversityPrivate | $35,931 | 13 | $26,942 | High | $28,500 | High |
| #18 | Indiana State UniversityPublic | $33,414 | 54 | $24,000 | High | $17,049 | High |
| #19 | $32,940 | 45 | $21,229 | High | $14,984 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
