Compare 15 Political Economy. programs in Indiana. Average earnings: $49,097.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Political Economy tells a different story. Across 15 programs in Indiana, earnings range from $32,406 to $68,814—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of Notre Dame's Political Economy program leads with graduates earning $68,814, well above the $49,097 state average. But the competitive landscape shows Depauw University ($60,137) and Purdue University-Main Campus ($59,857) delivering strong outcomes despite different admission profiles—54% and 50% acceptance rates respectively.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Notre Dame graduates borrow $19,000 and face just a 5.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, Indiana University-Indianapolis leads with a 16.3% family burden, proving that the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of Notre DamePrivate | $68,814 | 181 | $19,000 | Excellent | $40,731 | Challenging |
| #2 | Depauw UniversityPrivate | $60,137 | 20 | $27,000 | Good | $35,134 | Challenging |
| #3 | $59,857 | 73 | $19,500 | Excellent | $29,448 | Challenging | |
| #4 | Valparaiso UniversityPrivate | $58,168 | 24 | $26,942 | Good | $28,500 | Challenging |
| #5 | Wabash CollegePrivate | $56,880 | 27 | $27,000 | Good | $28,000 | Challenging |
| #6 | $56,470 | 92 | $19,509 | Excellent | $32,850 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $55,980 | 40 | $20,000 | Good | $17,205 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $49,226 | 16 | $20,105 | Good | $13,626 | Challenging | |
| #9 | Saint Mary's CollegePrivate | $45,715 | 10 | $27,000 | Manageable | $48,565 | High |
| #10 | $43,480 | 12 | $21,229 | Manageable | $14,984 | High | |
| #11 | Ball State UniversityPublic | $38,880 | 27 | $23,250 | Challenging | $20,800 | High |
| #12 | Hanover CollegePrivate | $38,313 | 13 | $25,250 | Challenging | $41,531 | High |
| #13 | Indiana State UniversityPublic | $36,694 | 25 | $24,000 | Challenging | $17,049 | High |
| #14 | $35,440 | 6 | $21,355 | Challenging | $12,486 | High | |
| #15 | University Of IndianapolisPrivate | $32,406 | 17 | $26,864 | High | $23,490 | 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 →
