Indiana University-Southeast
Indiana University-Southeast — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Indiana University-Southeast at a Glance
Indiana University Southeast is a public university in New Albany, Indiana. It is a regional campus of Indiana University.
1941
85 years old
$15M
$14.8 million
5,238
4,823 undergrad · 415 grad
225
177 acres
Identity
Is Indiana University-Southeast Worth It?
Indiana University-Southeast offers moderate value at $7,888/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $47,596, which is 12% 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 0.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 36% 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-Southeast compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in IN
Ranked #26 of 166 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 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #4 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #5 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #6 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #26 | Indiana University-Southeast | 55 | $7,888 | $47,596 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Indiana University-Southeast's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in IN.
Best Programs at Indiana University-Southeast
The highest-earning program at Indiana University-Southeast is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $58,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $20,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Indiana University-Southeast earns $58,100, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $20,900. 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 $14,487 in median debt vs. $21,182 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $7,888/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 | $58,100 | $58,100 | $14,487 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $43,100 | $43,100 | $18,093 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $36,100 | $36,100 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,700 | $34,700 | $22,279 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $33,900 | $33,900 | $18,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $33,800 | $33,800 | $19,748 |
| Psychology, General | $29,600 | $29,600 | $20,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $28,800 | $28,800 | $21,907 |
| Biology, General | $27,100 | $27,100 | $23,846 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $20,900 | $20,900 | $21,182 |
Similar Colleges in IN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- New Albany, IN
- Student Body
- 3,170 students
- Admission Rate
- 84%
- Graduation Rate
- 36%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $7,888
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,596
- Median Student Debt
- $19,684