South Bend, IN · Private University
Is Indiana University-South Bend Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$44,947
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,179
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$22,043
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$88,172
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.04x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
8.9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
35.7%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,355
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$8,364
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Indiana University-South Bend graduates earn $53 less 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-South Bend ranked by graduate earnings
20 graduates
130 graduates
26 graduates
226 graduates
33 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Indiana University-South Bend
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-South Bend, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $76,322) and the lowest (Fine and Studio Arts: $23,308) is $53,014/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $76,322 | 3.5x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,405 | 2.9x |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $53,264 | 2.4x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $51,179 | 2.3x |
| Psychology, General | $44,088 | 2.0x |
| Social Work | $43,993 | 2.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $43,954 | 2.0x |
| Biology, General | $42,485 | 1.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $41,995 | 1.9x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $40,174 | 1.8x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $39,176 | 1.8x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $38,006 | 1.7x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General(1yr data) | $32,829 | 1.5x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication(1yr data) | $30,190 | 1.4x |
| Fine and Studio ArtsLowest(1yr data) | $23,308 | 1.1x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Indiana University-South Bend stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $44,947 10 years after starting, $53 below the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 8.9 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.