Indiana University-Bloomington — ROI, Cost & Payback
Indiana University-Bloomington charges a net price of $16,264/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $65,056. Graduates earn a median $63,742 ten years after entry, $15,382/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.2 years — a 20-year net return of $242,584, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Indiana University-Bloomington's 4.2-year payback ranks #317 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 75% of them, and #6 of 56 in Indiana.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $16,264/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $65,056 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $63,742 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $15,382/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $19,509 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.2 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $242,584 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Indiana University-Bloomington's own numbers. Net price $16,264 × 4 years = $65,056 total. Median earnings $63,742 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $15,382 a year of premium. $65,056 ÷ $15,382 = 4.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $242,584. 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 University-Bloomington students graduate with?
A median $19,509 in federal loans among completers, or 31% of the $63,742 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Indiana University-Bloomington students graduate?
80% finish their degree. Spread the $65,056 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $81,320 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Indiana University-Bloomington expensive compared with other Indiana colleges?
Its $16,264 net price runs $3,434 below the $19,698 median across the 56 Indiana colleges we profile, and $13,734 less across the full degree.