Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana University of Pennsylvania — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Indiana University of Pennsylvania at a Glance
The Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) is a public research university in Indiana, Pennsylvania, United States. It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High Spending and Doctorate Production". As of 2024, the university enrolled over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is governed by a local Council of Trustees and the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. IUP has bra…
1875
151 years old
$105M
$105.4 million (2025)
9,246
7,432 undergrad · 1,814 grad
581
374 acres
Identity
Is Indiana University of Pennsylvania Worth It?
Indiana University of Pennsylvania offers moderate value at $16,804/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $51,019, which is 5% 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 1.3 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.
With a 91% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $26,798 representing 53% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
How Indiana University of Pennsylvania compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #103 of 192 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 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #6 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #103 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania | 41 | $16,804 | $51,019 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Indiana University of Pennsylvania's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in PA.
Best Programs at Indiana University of Pennsylvania
The highest-earning program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $58,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Anthropology at $17,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Indiana University of Pennsylvania earns $58,200, while a Anthropology graduate earns $17,200. 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 $27,000 in median debt vs. $28,000 for Anthropology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,804/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 | $27,000 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $57,200 | $57,200 | $26,171 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $53,400 | $53,400 | $26,998 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $44,900 | $44,900 | $27,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $43,900 | $43,900 | $27,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $43,300 | $43,300 | $26,037 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $42,300 | $42,300 | $27,000 |
| Mathematics | $40,900 | $40,900 | N/A |
| International Business | $40,900 | $40,900 | $27,000 |
| Economics | $39,200 | $39,200 | $25,913 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $39,200 | $39,200 | $25,242 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $37,300 | $37,300 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,800 | $36,800 | $26,969 |
| Marketing | $36,000 | $36,000 | $26,952 |
| Geography and Cartography | $35,800 | $35,800 | $31,000 |
| Social Sciences, Other | $35,000 | $35,000 | N/A |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $34,300 | $34,300 | $26,422 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $33,100 | $33,100 | $27,000 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $32,900 | $32,900 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,800 | $32,800 | $26,375 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $31,200 | $31,200 | $27,000 |
| Criminology | $30,100 | $30,100 | $26,912 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $29,600 | $29,600 | $27,000 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | $28,900 | $28,900 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $27,200 | $27,200 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $27,000 | $27,000 | $26,500 |
| Sociology | $26,900 | $26,900 | $27,000 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $26,300 | $26,300 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,100 | $26,100 | $27,000 |
| History | $25,400 | $25,400 | $27,000 |
| Journalism | $24,500 | $24,500 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $24,300 | $24,300 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $23,800 | $23,800 | $27,000 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $23,700 | $23,700 | $25,290 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $23,300 | $23,300 | $27,000 |
| Music | $20,000 | $20,000 | $27,000 |
| Anthropology | $17,200 | $17,200 | $28,000 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Indiana, PA
- Student Body
- 6,764 students
- Admission Rate
- 91%
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,804
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $51,019
- Median Student Debt
- $26,798