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Indiana University-East vs Fortis College-Indianapolis: which has better ROI?

Public, Richmond IN · vs · Private for-profit, Indianapolis IN

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Indiana University-East comes closer — median earnings $47,156 against a $32,536 total, vs $34,726 at Fortis College-Indianapolis. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureIndiana University-EastFortis College-Indianapolis
Net price / yr$8,134$27,706
Total net cost$32,536$110,824
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,156$34,726
Median debt$18,000$13,000
Payback
20-year net return-$56,616-$383,504

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Indiana University-East or Fortis College-Indianapolis?

Indiana University-East, at $8,134 a year after aid versus $27,706 — a gap of $19,572 a year, or $78,288 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-East or Fortis College-Indianapolis graduates earn more?

Indiana University-East graduates report a median $47,156 ten years after entry, $12,430 more than the $34,726 at Fortis College-Indianapolis. 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-East or Fortis College-Indianapolis?

Fortis College-Indianapolis: its completers carry a median $13,000 in federal loans versus $18,000 at Indiana University-East, a difference of $5,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

44% of students finish at Fortis College-Indianapolis, against 40% at Indiana University-East. 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.

Indiana University-East vs Fortis College-Indianapolis: frequently asked questions

Is Indiana University-East or Fortis College-Indianapolis a better value?
Indiana University-East comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Indiana University-East or Fortis College-Indianapolis?
Indiana University-East: $8,134/yr net price after aid versus $27,706/yr at Fortis College-Indianapolis — a difference of $19,572 a year, or about $78,288 over four years.
Do Indiana University-East or Fortis College-Indianapolis graduates earn more?
Indiana University-East graduates earn a median $47,156 ten years after entry, versus $34,726 at Fortis College-Indianapolis — a $12,430 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.