"Low-earning" college degrees on the chopping block
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Degree programs that don't lead to high-paying jobs could be eliminated under a bill passed by the Indiana House Tuesday.
Why it matters: The provision in Senate Bill 199 continues legislative efforts to exert more control over the state's public colleges and universities.
Driving the news: SB 199's language targeting "low earning outcome programs" would require higher education institutions to stop offering degrees with average starting salaries lower than that of a high school graduate who went straight into the workforce.
- In Indiana, that's programs where graduates are making $35,000 or less.
- It tracks language in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which will cut access to federal loans for such programs.
State of play: According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, degrees in dance, music and English language and literature are among those at risk.
What they're saying: "I didn't know when I came to the Legislature that we were in the business of snatching dreams from young people," Rep. Renee Pack (D-Indianapolis) said.
- Pack's daughter is author and bookstore owner Leah Johnson.
- Other Democrats criticized the legislation as an attack on individual choice and micromanaging the state's higher education institutions.
The other side: The bill's House sponsor Rep. Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis) said the measure is about protecting students from investing time and money into a degree that won't pay off.
Reality check: Starting salaries don't always reflect long-term earnings, and college degrees can still pay off in the long run or lead to fulfilling or lucrative careers.
Zoom out: Hundreds of degree programs were eliminated last year due to a new state law that sets enrollment thresholds.
The intrigue: The provision is part of a wide-ranging education bill that also included restrictions on social media, added back to the bill in response to the death of Fishers teen Hailey Buzbee.
- Several lawmakers expressed frustration that the controversial higher education provisions were tied to the social media language they feel compelled to support.
The latest: The bill passed the House 67-28 and heads back to the Senate to consider changes made in the House.
- The bill needs to be accepted as is or negotiated in conference committee by the time session ends next week.