Indiana University-Bloomington vs DePauw University: which has better ROI?
DePauw University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $89,056 in 4 years versus 4.2 years at Indiana University-Bloomington, on median earnings of $70,527 vs $63,742 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Indiana University-Bloomington | DePauw University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,264 | $22,264 |
| Total net cost | $65,056 | $89,056 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,742 | $70,527 |
| Median debt | $19,509 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 4.2 yrs | 4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $242,584 | $354,284 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Indiana University-Bloomington or DePauw University?
Indiana University-Bloomington, at $16,264 a year after aid versus $22,264 — a gap of $6,000 a year, or $24,000 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 University-Bloomington or DePauw University graduates earn more?
DePauw University graduates report a median $70,527 ten years after entry, $6,785 more than the $63,742 at Indiana University-Bloomington. 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 University-Bloomington or DePauw University?
Indiana University-Bloomington: its completers carry a median $19,509 in federal loans versus $27,000 at DePauw University, a difference of $7,491. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
80% of students finish at Indiana University-Bloomington, against 75% at DePauw 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.