Degree Dividend
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Indiana University-Northwest vs Fortis College-Indianapolis: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Indiana University-Northwest comes closer — median earnings $43,361 against a $20,520 total, vs $34,726 at Fortis College-Indianapolis. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureIndiana University-NorthwestFortis College-Indianapolis
Net price / yr$5,130$27,706
Total net cost$20,520$110,824
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,361$34,726
Median debt$21,710$13,000
Payback
20-year net return-$120,500-$383,504

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

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

Indiana University-Northwest, at $5,130 a year after aid versus $27,706 — a gap of $22,576 a year, or $90,304 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-Northwest or Fortis College-Indianapolis graduates earn more?

Indiana University-Northwest graduates report a median $43,361 ten years after entry, $8,635 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-Northwest or Fortis College-Indianapolis?

Fortis College-Indianapolis: its completers carry a median $13,000 in federal loans versus $21,710 at Indiana University-Northwest, a difference of $8,710. 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 37% at Indiana University-Northwest. 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-Northwest vs Fortis College-Indianapolis: frequently asked questions

Is Indiana University-Northwest or Fortis College-Indianapolis a better value?
Indiana University-Northwest 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-Northwest or Fortis College-Indianapolis?
Indiana University-Northwest: $5,130/yr net price after aid versus $27,706/yr at Fortis College-Indianapolis — a difference of $22,576 a year, or about $90,304 over four years.
Do Indiana University-Northwest or Fortis College-Indianapolis graduates earn more?
Indiana University-Northwest graduates earn a median $43,361 ten years after entry, versus $34,726 at Fortis College-Indianapolis — a $8,635 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.