Indiana State University vs Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $170,052 in 3.2 years versus 1610.8 years at Indiana State University, on median earnings of $101,253 vs $48,387 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Indiana State University | Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,873 | $42,513 |
| Total net cost | $43,492 | $170,052 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,387 | $101,253 |
| Median debt | $24,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 1610.8 yrs | 3.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$42,952 | $887,808 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Indiana State University or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
Indiana State University, at $10,873 a year after aid versus $42,513 — a gap of $31,640 a year, or $126,560 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Indiana State University or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates report a median $101,253 ten years after entry, $52,866 more than the $48,387 at Indiana State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Indiana State University or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
Indiana State University: its completers carry a median $24,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
78% of students finish at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, against 43% at Indiana State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.