At $9,082/yr net price, Indiana University-East graduates earn $47,156/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,156/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $9,082 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $36,328 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,156/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,156/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 45.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,216/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,260/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,061/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,497/yr |
| $110,001+ | $14,863/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $57,154 | $21,500 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $46,478 | $15,488 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $43,798 | $17,250 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $35,213 | $17,710 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $34,575 | $13,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $34,485 | $21,062 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $32,569 | $12,076 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $26,353 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $26,121 | $17,731 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $21,703 | $16,826 |
The Risk Factor
45.4% of students at Indiana University-East graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Indiana University-East gives you a low-cost degree with modest returns. At just over $9,000 a year in net price and $18,000 in median debt, you graduate owing less than the cost of a new car. The catch is that your median earnings ten years out sit near $47,000, so this is a school where keeping costs down matters more than chasing a high salary.
Your major decides everything here. Nursing is the clear winner, paying about $57,000 and carrying debt you can service on that salary. Business lands in the middle at roughly $46,000 with the lowest debt of any listed program, which makes it one of the safer bets. Mathematics pays similarly. The bottom two are where you need to be careful: criminal justice and social work both pay in the mid-$30,000s, and social work in particular leaves you with a wage that barely clears the school's own median. If you take on the average debt load for those fields, repayment eats a real share of your paycheck.
The biggest financial risk is finishing at all. A 45% graduation rate and a 63% retention rate mean a large share of you leave with debt and no degree, which is the worst outcome money-wise. Borrow, drop out, and you owe with no earnings bump to show for it.
If your family earns under $48,000, your net price drops to the $5,000-$6,000 range, making this one of the cheaper four-year paths in eastern Indiana. Above $110,000, you pay closer to $15,000, still reasonable. This school fits you if you want nursing or business at a low price and plan to finish. Look elsewhere if you want social work or criminal justice and would need heavy loans to get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Indiana University-East worth the cost?
Indiana University-East offers decent value with a low net price of $9,082 annually and graduates earning $47,156 after 10 years. However, the 45% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which significantly impacts ROI.
What are the best paying majors at Indiana University-East?
Nursing programs at Indiana University-East provide the strongest ROI, with graduates earning around $57,154 annually. Business graduates earn $46,478 while criminal justice and social work majors see much lower returns at $35,213 and $34,575 respectively.
How much debt do Indiana University-East students graduate with?
Indiana University-East graduates carry a median debt of $18,000, which is manageable given the school's low cost. The debt-to-income ratio works out reasonably well for nursing and business majors but becomes problematic for lower-earning fields.
Does Indiana University-East have good job placement rates?
Indiana University-East's 45% graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their programs, which directly impacts job prospects. The school works best for students in nursing programs who can complete their degrees and enter a strong local job market.