Terre Haute, IN · Private University
Is Indiana State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$48,387
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$9,992
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$21,734
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$86,936
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.23x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
41.1%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$24,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$12,188
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Indiana State University graduates earn $3,387 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Indiana State University ranked by graduate earnings
16 graduates
17 graduates
84 graduates
69 graduates
16 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Indiana State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Indiana State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians: $78,215) and the lowest (Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities: $33,414) is $44,801/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Production Technologies/TechniciansBest ROI(1yr data) | $78,215 | 3.6x |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians(1yr data) | $71,755 | 3.3x |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $70,581 | 3.3x |
| Construction Management | $70,486 | 3.2x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $67,319 | 3.1x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,077 | 3.0x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $60,508 | 2.8x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $59,410 | 2.7x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $56,781 | 2.6x |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $54,713 | 2.5x |
| Air Transportation | $54,448 | 2.5x |
| Marketing | $51,935 | 2.4x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $50,859 | 2.3x |
| Biology, General | $46,860 | 2.2x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $46,753 | 2.1x |
| Criminology | $45,272 | 2.1x |
| Social Work | $43,760 | 2.0x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $43,052 | 2.0x |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $42,930 | 2.0x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $42,862 | 2.0x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $42,656 | 2.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $42,403 | 1.9x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $42,336 | 1.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $41,705 | 1.9x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $40,903 | 1.9x |
| Interior Architecture(1yr data) | $40,441 | 1.9x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $38,665 | 1.8x |
| Psychology, General | $37,358 | 1.7x |
| Music | $36,998 | 1.7x |
| Political Science and Government | $36,694 | 1.7x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $36,448 | 1.7x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $35,729 | 1.6x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesLowest(1yr data) | $33,414 | 1.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Indiana State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $48,387 10 years after starting, $3,387 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.5 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.