Degree Dividend
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Indiana University-South Bend vs Aveda Fredric's Institute-Indianapolis: which has better ROI?

Public, South Bend IN · vs · Private for-profit, Carmel IN

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Indiana University-South Bend comes closer — median earnings $44,947 against a $34,612 total, vs $31,963 at Aveda Fredric's Institute-Indianapolis. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureIndiana University-South BendAveda Fredric's Institute-Indianapolis
Net price / yr$8,653$24,096
Total net cost$34,612$96,384
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,947$31,963
Median debt$21,355$7,389
Payback
20-year net return-$102,872-$424,324

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

Which is cheaper, Indiana University-South Bend or Aveda Fredric's Institute-Indianapolis?

Indiana University-South Bend, at $8,653 a year after aid versus $24,096 — a gap of $15,443 a year, or $61,772 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-South Bend or Aveda Fredric's Institute-Indianapolis graduates earn more?

Indiana University-South Bend graduates report a median $44,947 ten years after entry, $12,984 more than the $31,963 at Aveda Fredric's Institute-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-South Bend or Aveda Fredric's Institute-Indianapolis?

Aveda Fredric's Institute-Indianapolis: its completers carry a median $7,389 in federal loans versus $21,355 at Indiana University-South Bend, a difference of $13,966. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

88% of students finish at Aveda Fredric's Institute-Indianapolis, against 40% at Indiana University-South Bend. 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-South Bend vs Aveda Fredric's Institute-Indianapolis: frequently asked questions

Is Indiana University-South Bend or Aveda Fredric's Institute-Indianapolis a better value?
Indiana University-South Bend 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-South Bend or Aveda Fredric's Institute-Indianapolis?
Indiana University-South Bend: $8,653/yr net price after aid versus $24,096/yr at Aveda Fredric's Institute-Indianapolis — a difference of $15,443 a year, or about $61,772 over four years.
Do Indiana University-South Bend or Aveda Fredric's Institute-Indianapolis graduates earn more?
Indiana University-South Bend graduates earn a median $44,947 ten years after entry, versus $31,963 at Aveda Fredric's Institute-Indianapolis — a $12,984 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.