Bloomington, IN · Private University
Is Indiana University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$63,742
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$11,790
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$40,482
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$161,928
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.57x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.6 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
81.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$19,509
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$15,342
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Indiana University-Bloomington graduates earn $18,742 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 University-Bloomington ranked by graduate earnings
114 graduates
1,243 graduates
358 graduates
63 graduates
30 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Indiana University-Bloomington
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Indiana University-Bloomington, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $91,304) and the lowest (East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics: $24,209) is $67,095/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $91,304 | 2.3x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $89,404 | 2.2x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $79,394 | 2.0x |
| Economics | $74,866 | 1.9x |
| Mathematics | $74,190 | 1.8x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $62,408 | 1.5x |
| Public Administration | $62,367 | 1.5x |
| Public Health | $60,955 | 1.5x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $60,526 | 1.5x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $60,013 | 1.5x |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | $59,119 | 1.5x |
| Chemistry | $59,000 | 1.5x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $57,531 | 1.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $56,470 | 1.4x |
| Biology, General | $56,288 | 1.4x |
| Journalism | $54,955 | 1.4x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $54,539 | 1.4x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $53,878 | 1.3x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $53,142 | 1.3x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $51,792 | 1.3x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $51,531 | 1.3x |
| History | $50,828 | 1.3x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $49,740 | 1.2x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $48,375 | 1.2x |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $47,906 | 1.2x |
| Psychology, General | $47,627 | 1.2x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $46,308 | 1.1x |
| Sociology | $46,266 | 1.1x |
| Social Work | $46,124 | 1.1x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $45,112 | 1.1x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $44,741 | 1.1x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $43,499 | 1.1x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $43,297 | 1.1x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $40,882 | 1.0x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $40,799 | 1.0x |
| Anthropology | $37,623 | 0.9x |
| Music | $35,918 | 0.9x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research(1yr data) | $31,655 | 0.8x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology(1yr data) | $31,129 | 0.8x |
| Zoology/Animal Biology(1yr data) | $27,096 | 0.7x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $26,673 | 0.7x |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsLowest | $24,209 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University-Bloomington | 1.57x | $63,742 | Good ROI |
| University of Missouri-Columbia | 1.85x | $63,403 | Good ROI |
| University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | 1.79x | $54,810 | Good ROI |
| University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus | 2.37x | $63,126 | Strong ROI |
| Michigan State University | 1.55x | $67,253 | Good ROI |
| James Madison University | 2.27x | $69,954 | Strong ROI |
The Bottom Line
Indiana University-Bloomington offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $63,742 10 years after starting — $18,742 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.6 years — faster than most colleges.
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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.