Indiana University-Bloomington vs Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global: which has better ROI?
Indiana University-Bloomington has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $65,056 in 4.2 years versus 5.8 years at Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global, on median earnings of $63,742 vs $59,986 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Indiana University-Bloomington | Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,264 | $16,898 |
| Total net cost | $65,056 | $67,592 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,742 | $59,986 |
| Median debt | $19,509 | $24,250 |
| Payback | 4.2 yrs | 5.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $242,584 | $164,928 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Indiana University-Bloomington or Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global?
Indiana University-Bloomington, at $16,264 a year after aid versus $16,898 — a gap of $634 a year, or $2,536 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 Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global graduates earn more?
Indiana University-Bloomington graduates report a median $63,742 ten years after entry, $3,756 more than the $59,986 at Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global. 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 Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global?
Indiana University-Bloomington: its completers carry a median $19,509 in federal loans versus $24,250 at Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global, a difference of $4,741. 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 35% at Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global. 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.