Indiana University-East
Indiana University-East — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Indiana University-East at a Glance
Indiana University East is a public university in Richmond, Indiana, a regional campus of Indiana University that serves the eastern Indiana and western Ohio area. Established in 1971 by the Indiana University Board of Trustees, IU East enrolls over 4,000 students on its five-building, 174-acre campus and in online classes. IU East has 60 academic degree programs, offering bachelor's and master's degree programs as well as certificates.
1967
59 years old
$5M
$4.67 million
3,490
3,292 undergrad · 198 grad
87
174 acres
Identity
Is Indiana University-East Worth It?
Indiana University-East delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $8,134/year, it's priced 60% below average, while graduates go on to earn $47,156 — near the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.7 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.
How Indiana University-East compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #19 of 119 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 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #19 | Indiana University-East | 61 | $8,134 | $47,156 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Indiana University-East's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in IN.
Best Programs at Indiana University-East
The highest-earning program at Indiana University-East is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $55,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $23,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Indiana University-East earns $55,600, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $23,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $24,696 in median debt vs. $17,497 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $8,134/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $55,600 | $55,600 | $24,696 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $44,300 | $44,300 | $17,087 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $33,300 | $33,300 | $21,770 |
| Social Work | $33,100 | $33,100 | $19,230 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $32,000 | $32,000 | $19,840 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,900 | $30,900 | $16,145 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $25,200 | $25,200 | $20,647 |
| Psychology, General | $23,200 | $23,200 | $17,497 |
Similar Colleges in IN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Richmond, IN
- Student Body
- 2,589 students
- Admission Rate
- 67%
- Graduation Rate
- 42%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $8,134
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,156
- Median Student Debt
- $18,000