The cost of college in Indiana — and what it pays back
Across the 56 Indiana institutions we profile, the median net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $19,698/yr, $2,792 above the $16,906 national median. Graduates earn a median $49,408 ten years after entry (above the $43,552 national median), and 31 of the 56 schools clear their full cost on institution-wide earnings. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
$19,698
Median net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$49,408
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
10.2 yrs
Median payback
Our math, 2026
31/56
Schools that pay back
Our math, 2026
How Indiana's 56 colleges split by ROI verdict
Strong9
Solid6
Slow9
Weak32
Verdicts: payback under 5 / 10 / 20 / over 20 years (or none).
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Notre Dame | $26,780 | $99,980 | 2.1 yrs |
| Purdue University-Main Campus | $14,600 | $72,424 | 2.4 yrs |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | $42,513 | $101,253 | 3.2 yrs |
| Marian University-Ancilla | $19,463 | $58,759 | 3.7 yrs |
| DePauw University | $22,264 | $70,527 | 4 yrs |
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University-Kokomo | $3,968 | $49,917 | 10.2 yrs |
| Indiana University-Northwest | $5,130 | $43,361 | no payback |
| Purdue University Northwest | $6,079 | $48,318 | no payback |
| Ivy Tech Community College | $7,258 | $37,186 | no payback |
| Purdue University Global | $7,770 | $36,596 | no payback |
Frequently asked questions
How much does college cost in Indiana?
The median net price across Indiana colleges is $19,698/yr after aid — above the $16,906 national median. Sticker prices run far higher; net price is what the typical aided student actually pays.
Is college in Indiana cheaper than the national average?
No — the median Indiana net price of $19,698/yr runs about $2,792/yr above the $16,906 national median. Individual schools vary widely, so check each profile.
What do Indiana college graduates earn?
A median $49,408 ten years after entry (College Scorecard), above the $43,552 national median.
Which Indiana college pays for itself fastest?
University of Notre Dame — about 2.1 years to clear its $107,120 total net cost on earnings above the high-school baseline. The full ranking is on our best-colleges-in-indiana page.