Indiana State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Indiana State University charges a net price of $10,873/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $43,492. Graduates earn a median $48,387 ten years after entry, $27/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 1610.8 years — a 20-year net return of -$42,952, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Indiana State University's 1610.8-year payback ranks #1,277 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 1% of them, and #31 of 56 in Indiana.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $10,873/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $43,492 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $48,387 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $27/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $24,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 1610.8 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$42,952 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Indiana State University's own numbers. Net price $10,873 × 4 years = $43,492 total. Median earnings $48,387 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $27 a year of premium. $43,492 ÷ $27 = 1610.8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$42,952. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Indiana State University students graduate with?
A median $24,000 in federal loans among completers, or 50% of the $48,387 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Indiana State University students graduate?
43% finish their degree — 57% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $43,492 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $101,144 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Indiana State University expensive compared with other Indiana colleges?
Its $10,873 net price runs $8,825 below the $19,698 median across the 56 Indiana colleges we profile, and $35,298 less across the full degree.