Indiana University-Indianapolis
Indiana University-Indianapolis — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Indiana University-Indianapolis at a Glance
Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) was a joint campus of Indiana University and Purdue University in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, from 1969 to 2024, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees from both universities. In 2024, IUPUI was split into two separate campuses, namely Indiana University Indianapolis and Purdue University in Indianapolis.
$1.1B
$1.15 billion (2020)
29,390
20,441 undergrad · 8,171 grad
2,500
536 acres
Identity
Is Indiana University-Indianapolis Worth It?
Indiana University-Indianapolis delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $11,668/year, it's priced 43% below average, while graduates go on to earn $55,198 — 3% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 54% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 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-Indianapolis compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #15 of 83 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 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #3 | Santa Monica College | 100 | $2,779 | $42,193 |
| #4 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #5 | St Petersburg College | 100 | $1,471 | $42,557 |
| #6 | Florida State College at Jacksonville | 89 | $4,128 | $42,244 |
| #15 | Indiana University-Indianapolis | 64 | $11,668 | $55,198 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Indiana University-Indianapolis'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-Indianapolis
The highest-earning program at Indiana University-Indianapolis is Computer Engineering at $70,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is History at $22,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Engineering graduate from Indiana University-Indianapolis earns $70,200, while a History graduate earns $22,300. 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: Computer Engineering graduates carry $21,250 in median debt vs. $29,375 for History.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $11,668/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $70,200 | $70,200 | $21,250 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $65,800 | $65,800 | $20,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $63,100 | $63,100 | $22,815 |
| Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $60,700 | $60,700 | $27,794 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $58,700 | $58,700 | $23,125 |
| Computer Science | $56,700 | $56,700 | $23,596 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $56,700 | $56,700 | $24,621 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $54,600 | $54,600 | N/A |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $54,500 | $54,500 | $22,650 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $54,100 | $54,100 | $25,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $51,600 | $51,600 | $26,000 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $51,500 | $51,500 | $12,333 |
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other | $48,100 | $48,100 | $28,396 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $47,600 | $47,600 | $27,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $44,000 | $44,000 | $22,135 |
| Economics | $41,600 | $41,600 | $23,119 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $39,200 | $39,200 | $26,500 |
| Mathematics | $38,300 | $38,300 | $28,839 |
| Public Administration | $38,300 | $38,300 | $24,267 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $37,800 | $37,800 | $23,500 |
| Chemistry | $35,400 | $35,400 | $26,024 |
| Political Science and Government | $35,400 | $35,400 | $26,000 |
| Public Health | $35,300 | $35,300 | $25,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $34,900 | $34,900 | $20,816 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $34,900 | $34,900 | $23,182 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $34,800 | $34,800 | $24,581 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $34,800 | $34,800 | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,700 | $34,700 | $20,000 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $34,600 | $34,600 | $21,417 |
| Social Work | $33,900 | $33,900 | $24,750 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $33,400 | $33,400 | $25,500 |
| Journalism | $33,000 | $33,000 | $22,750 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $32,300 | $32,300 | $22,876 |
| Sociology | $31,500 | $31,500 | $23,991 |
| Psychology, General | $30,900 | $30,900 | $23,864 |
| Biology, General | $30,700 | $30,700 | $22,330 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $30,400 | $30,400 | $23,850 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $28,700 | $28,700 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $27,600 | $27,600 | $21,798 |
| Anthropology | $27,100 | $27,100 | $20,745 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $26,600 | $26,600 | $25,007 |
| History | $22,300 | $22,300 | $29,375 |
Similar Colleges in IN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Indianapolis, IN
- Student Body
- 13,830 students
- Admission Rate
- 76%
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $11,668
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,198
- Median Student Debt
- $20,000