LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Indiana lawmakers are cutting budgets for low-enrollment university programs and redirecting those dollars toward trade and technical programs.
More than 400 undergraduate programs across state universities are being cut, discontinued, or suspended as the state pushes for more practical, in-demand degrees.
“If we could just fill the jobs that need better high school skills in our own state, we could dump two to three billion dollars’ worth of income into the economy,” Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said.
The shift comes as Indiana faces a shortage of skilled workers — electricians, mechanics, and other tradespeople — jobs that don’t necessarily require a four-year degree.
“There needs to be people going for certain jobs like electricians, mechanics,” Indiana resident Jerry Ricketson said.
Braun said colleges will need to show more value by offering degrees with clear job prospects and better returns.
“Colleges are going to have to find out how they give us better value on degrees that have good markets,” Braun said. “A lot of kids are looking at how they scale up in high school and maybe go to an Ivy Tech for a certificate — because a lot of that pays more than 80% of your college degrees.”
At the same time, the state’s school choice voucher program will expand in 2026, allowing more families — regardless of income — to choose where their children attend school.
“We are now cited as the state that all the other 49 are looking at,” Braun said. “We’re further down the trail when it comes to parental choice and directing kids to degrees that make sense — not just blindly saying, ‘do this.’”
The governor also points to tuition freezes at several large state schools as part of a broader effort to make higher education more affordable and better aligned with Indiana’s workforce needs.
“My grandson became a teacher — he’s doing real well,” Ricketson said.
Braun added that not all four-year paths are being left behind, but the focus is shifting to what truly pays off for students and the state economy.
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