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Indiana University-Indianapolis — ROI, Cost & Payback

Public · Indianapolis, IN · 13,830 students

The verdict

Indiana University-Indianapolis charges a net price of $11,668/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $46,672. Graduates earn a median $55,198 ten years after entry, $6,838/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 6.8 years — a 20-year net return of $90,088, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Indiana University-Indianapolis's 6.8-year payback ranks #600 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 53% of them, and #11 of 56 in Indiana.

Better ROI than 53% of US colleges#600 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$11,668
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$55,198
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
6.8 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
76%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Indiana University-Indianapolis: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$11,668/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$46,672our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$55,198Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$6,838/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$20,000Scorecard, 2026
Payback6.8 yrsour math
20-year net return$90,088our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on Indiana University-Indianapolis's own numbers. Net price $11,668 × 4 years = $46,672 total. Median earnings $55,198 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $6,838 a year of premium. $46,672 ÷ $6,838 = 6.8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $90,088. 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-Indianapolis students graduate with?

A median $20,000 in federal loans among completers, or 36% of the $55,198 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of Indiana University-Indianapolis students graduate?

54% finish their degree — 46% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $46,672 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $86,430 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is Indiana University-Indianapolis expensive compared with other Indiana colleges?

Its $11,668 net price runs $8,030 below the $19,698 median across the 56 Indiana colleges we profile, and $32,118 less across the full degree.

Indiana University-Indianapolis: frequently asked questions

Is Indiana University-Indianapolis worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Indiana University-Indianapolis charges $11,668/yr after aid ($46,672 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $55,198 ten years out — $6,838/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 6.8 years and returns $90,088 net over 20 years, a solid payback.
How long does a Indiana University-Indianapolis degree take to pay off?
About 6.8 years. We divide the $46,672 four-year net cost by the $6,838/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Indiana University-Indianapolis cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $11,668/yr — about $46,672 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Indiana University-Indianapolis compare to other Indiana colleges?
It ranks #11 of 56 Indiana colleges we track by payback. Its $55,198 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $11,668 net price is below the national median of $16,902.