Indiana Advances Bill That Threatens Low-Earning Programs

"If signed into law by Gov. Mike Braun, the bill would direct the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to review state higher education programs whose graduates earn median salaries below the average earnings of a high school diploma holder. In Indiana, the average high school graduate earns $35,000. Programs that fail to meet this standard would be at risk of closure."

"I agree that students and families should have that information. I think that is a worthy conversation to be having. But ... that is not the only reason why students study these areas. And I think that there is value to studying these areas."

Indiana's legislature passed Senate Bill 199, which would require the state's higher education commission to review and potentially close college and university programs whose graduates earn median salaries below the $35,000 average for high school diploma holders. Programs at risk include dance, music, library science, and computer software degrees at institutions like Ball State University, Indiana University, Ivy Tech Community College, and Purdue Northwest. Democratic Senate Minority Leader Shelli Yoder criticized the bill's implementation, noting lawmakers lacked sufficient time to properly evaluate the college program review provisions. She acknowledged the value of salary transparency while arguing that earning potential is not the sole reason students pursue these academic areas.

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