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STA bill heading to the governor's desk looks to cut college degree programs deemed low-income earning.
Senate Bill 199, passed through both the Indiana Senate and House, would allow for the Indiana’s Commission for Higher Education to review degree programs at state universities that have a low earning income.
Federal law defines someone with a "low earning income" as a person from a postsecondary education earning the same as the average income of a recent high school graduate, which in Indiana, according to the U.S Career Institute, is around $32,000.
Students at Purdue shared their thoughts on potential degree cuts.
"I think every field is valuable, regardless of if it's deemed lucrative,” Josephine Bradley said.
Last summer, Purdue made changes to over 80 degree programs and ended up eliminating four majors.
"All information is valuable. The fact that programs are being cut and people are being denied access to education is inherently harmful because education and knowledge is power regardless of if it leads to a lucrative job,” Bradley said.
Some students said they felt it is important to choose an education that interests them compared to a high wage job field.
"It shouldn't just be about getting through four years as easily as you can to get a job. It should be about getting involved," Gregorio Olivera said. "It should be about learning as much as you can, about meeting people, about becoming better and about finding your place and how you can help others."
Star City reached out to Purdue for comment on the bill reaching the governor's desk and did not receive a reply.
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