Indiana State University
Indiana State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Indiana State University at a Glance
Indiana State University (ISU) is a public university in Terre Haute, Indiana, United States. It was founded in 1865 and offers over 100 undergraduate majors and more than 75 graduate and professional programs. Indiana State is classified among "D/PU: Doctoral/Professional Universities".
1865
161 years old
$120M
$120.4 million (2025)
8,305
6,669 undergrad · 1,636 grad
565
435 acres
Identity
Is Indiana State University Worth It?
Indiana State University offers moderate value at $10,873/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $48,387, which is 10% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 42% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $24,000 representing 50% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
How Indiana State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in IN
Ranked #59 of 206 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #5 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #6 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #59 | Indiana State University | 47 | $10,873 | $48,387 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Indiana State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in IN.
Best Programs at Indiana State University
The highest-earning program at Indiana State University is Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians at $59,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $18,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians graduate from Indiana State University earns $59,000, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $18,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $10,873/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $59,000 | $59,000 | $22,518 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $57,600 | $57,600 | $23,000 |
| Construction Management | $54,600 | $54,600 | $24,026 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $52,500 | $52,500 | $21,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $48,300 | $48,300 | $26,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $46,000 | $46,000 | $24,322 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $45,000 | $45,000 | $25,000 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $38,600 | $38,600 | $22,000 |
| Marketing | $38,600 | $38,600 | $22,542 |
| Air Transportation | $36,300 | $36,300 | $23,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $35,700 | $35,700 | $29,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,400 | $35,400 | $25,111 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $35,100 | $35,100 | $23,456 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $34,800 | $34,800 | $24,527 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,200 | $34,200 | $25,004 |
| Music | $34,100 | $34,100 | $27,924 |
| Criminology | $34,000 | $34,000 | $23,008 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $33,700 | $33,700 | $26,000 |
| Social Work | $33,200 | $33,200 | $26,000 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $31,000 | $31,000 | $26,000 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $30,200 | $30,200 | $26,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $28,900 | $28,900 | $19,114 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,500 | $26,500 | $25,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $26,000 | $26,000 | $23,356 |
| Psychology, General | $25,900 | $25,900 | $23,212 |
| Political Science and Government | $24,600 | $24,600 | $23,252 |
| Biology, General | $24,300 | $24,300 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $22,400 | $22,400 | $26,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $18,500 | $18,500 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in IN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Terre Haute, IN
- Student Body
- 6,188 students
- Admission Rate
- 81%
- Graduation Rate
- 42%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $10,873
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $48,387
- Median Student Debt
- $24,000