University of Southern Indiana
University of Southern Indiana — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Southern Indiana at a Glance
The University of Southern Indiana (USI) is a public university just outside of Evansville, Indiana, United States. Founded in 1965, USI enrolls 9,750 dual credit, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students in more than 130 areas of study. USI offers programs through the College of Liberal Arts, Romain College of Business, College of Nursing and Health Professions and the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
1965
61 years old
$155M
$155 million (2021)
9,286
5,409 undergrad · 1,854 grad
677
1,400 acres
Identity
Is University of Southern Indiana Worth It?
University of Southern Indiana offers moderate value at $12,923/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $47,605, which is 11% 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 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 50% 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 96% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How University of Southern Indiana compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #53 of 168 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 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #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 |
| #53 | University of Southern Indiana | 46 | $12,923 | $47,605 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Southern Indiana's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in IN.
Best Programs at University of Southern Indiana
The highest-earning program at University of Southern Indiana is Engineering, General at $61,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at $22,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Engineering, General graduate from University of Southern Indiana earns $61,400, while a Radio, Television, and Digital Communication graduate earns $22,700. 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: Engineering, General graduates carry $23,406 in median debt vs. $22,490 for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,923/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering, General | $61,400 | $61,400 | $23,406 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $56,000 | $56,000 | $23,000 |
| Computer Science | $51,600 | $51,600 | $20,264 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $50,100 | $50,100 | $21,025 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $49,300 | $49,300 | $26,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $48,600 | $48,600 | $19,185 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $43,200 | $43,200 | $21,432 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $40,600 | $40,600 | $21,478 |
| Biology, General | $38,300 | $38,300 | $25,000 |
| Marketing | $37,100 | $37,100 | $19,661 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $34,000 | $34,000 | $21,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $33,800 | $33,800 | $21,514 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $33,700 | $33,700 | $22,484 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $33,400 | $33,400 | $23,125 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $33,000 | $33,000 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $32,800 | $32,800 | $20,500 |
| Social Work | $32,300 | $32,300 | $20,765 |
| Sociology | $31,800 | $31,800 | $23,843 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $29,400 | $29,400 | $23,380 |
| Nutrition Sciences | $28,200 | $28,200 | $23,875 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,600 | $26,600 | $24,251 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $25,800 | $25,800 | $21,750 |
| Psychology, General | $25,600 | $25,600 | $23,250 |
| History | $23,400 | $23,400 | $25,467 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $22,700 | $22,700 | $22,490 |
Similar Colleges in IN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Evansville, IN
- Student Body
- 5,292 students
- Admission Rate
- 96%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,923
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,605
- Median Student Debt
- $20,105