Indiana University-Northwest
Indiana University-Northwest — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Indiana University-Northwest at a Glance
Indiana University Northwest is a public university in Gary, Indiana, United States. It is one of seven regional campuses of Indiana University and was established in 1963. The university enrolls approximately 3,500 degree-seeking traditional and non-traditional students along with 1,800 dual-credit students.
1963
63 years old
3,198
2,860 undergrad · 338 grad
180
43 acres
Identity
Is Indiana University-Northwest Worth It?
Indiana University-Northwest delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $5,130/year, it's priced 75% below average, while graduates go on to earn $43,361 — near the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 37% 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 $21,710 representing 50% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: Indiana University-Northwest delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Indiana University-Northwest compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #14 of 128 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 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 97 | $1,807 | $35,171 |
| #14 | Indiana University-Northwest | 78 | $5,130 | $43,361 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Indiana University-Northwest'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-Northwest
The highest-earning program at Indiana University-Northwest is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $58,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $24,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Indiana University-Northwest earns $58,200, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $24,000. 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 $28,000 in median debt vs. $21,669 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $5,130/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 | $58,200 | $58,200 | $28,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $50,700 | $50,700 | $21,000 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $40,400 | $40,400 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,500 | $36,500 | $24,278 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $33,400 | $33,400 | $28,096 |
| Public Health | $31,800 | $31,800 | $25,000 |
| Computer Science | $31,000 | $31,000 | $28,250 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $29,700 | $29,700 | $33,153 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $26,800 | $26,800 | $24,500 |
| Psychology, General | $24,000 | $24,000 | $21,669 |
Similar Colleges in IN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Gary, IN
- Student Body
- 2,661 students
- Admission Rate
- 73%
- Graduation Rate
- 37%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $5,130
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $43,361
- Median Student Debt
- $21,710