Indiana Bill Targets 'Low-Earning Degrees' for Funding Cuts

Legislation heads to governor's desk, could impact programs like dance, music, and library assisting

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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An Indiana bill that would cut funding for 'low-earning degrees' is now headed to Governor Mike Braun's desk. The bill requires the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to evaluate programs where graduates' median earnings do not exceed those of high school graduates, and decide whether to continue, restructure, or consolidate those programs.

Why it matters

The bill aims to address concerns that some degree programs do not provide sufficient economic mobility for students, who may take on debt but end up making less than a typical high school graduate. However, critics argue the focus on economic outcomes alone is dangerous and could eliminate valuable educational opportunities.

The details

Senate Bill 199 targets undergraduate degrees where, four years after graduation, the median earnings of graduates do not exceed the median wages of certain high school-educated workers. Programs at risk of closure include Ball State University's bachelor's in dance, Indiana University at Bloomington's bachelor's in music, Ivy Tech Community College's associate degree in library and archives assisting, and Purdue Northwest's bachelor's in computer software and media applications.

  • The bill is now headed to Governor Mike Braun's desk.
  • If signed, the bill would take effect on July 1.

The players

Mike Braun

The governor of Indiana who will decide whether to sign the bill into law.

Indiana Commission for Higher Education

The state agency that will evaluate 'low-earning degree' programs and decide whether to continue, restructure, or consolidate them.

Preston Cooper

A senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute who supports the bill, arguing that some degree programs 'simply don't help students achieve economic mobility.'

Tonya Pfaff

A Democratic state representative who criticized the bill for focusing solely on economic outcomes and eliminating valuable educational opportunities.

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What they’re saying

“Some forms of higher education out there simply don't help students achieve economic mobility. Students take on debt and end up making less than a typical high school graduate.”

— Preston Cooper, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute (Chalkbeat Indiana)

“I think we're going down a dangerous path when we start eliminating degree programs because we don't think they make enough money. Part of those degree programs is the ability to take singular classes out of those degree programs, which I believe makes a student more well-founded and better equipped to handle the diversity of the future careers that we will be offering.”

— Tonya Pfaff, State Representative (Committee hearing)

What’s next

Governor Mike Braun will decide whether to sign the bill into law.

The takeaway

This bill highlights the ongoing debate over the role of higher education and the balance between economic outcomes and broader educational value. While proponents argue for focusing on programs that provide economic mobility, critics warn that eliminating 'low-earning degrees' could come at the cost of valuable learning opportunities and diversity in the curriculum.