Is Indiana University-Indianapolis Worth It?

Indiana University-Indianapolis gives you a solid financial return. At about $11,408 a year in net price with median debt of $20,000, you can pay off your loans on median earnings without stretching for years. The debt-to-earnings ratio here works in your favor.

The engineering programs are where the money is. Computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering all clear $66,000 a year, and Indianapolis has the employer base to absorb those graduates in tech, manufacturing, and healthcare-adjacent engineering. Mechanical and electrical engineering are the smartest bets because they pay near the top while keeping debt around $20,000 to $21,000. Computer engineering pays the most but carries $27,000 in debt, so the extra earnings mostly cover the extra borrowing. If your major sits well below the campus median earnings, expect a weaker payoff, and the school's data doesn't back up strong outcomes for non-engineering fields.

The real risk here is finishing. A 54% graduation rate and 72% first-year retention mean a meaningful share of you leave before earning the degree, and dropping out with debt and no credential is the worst financial outcome at any school. If you're not confident you'll finish an engineering program, that risk is yours to weigh.

The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30k, you pay about $5,748. from $30k to $48k, about $6,752. Above $110k, price jumps to roughly $19,866. If your family earns over $75k, run the math on the $18,000-plus annual cost against your intended major.

This school fits you if you want an engineering degree and plan to work in the Indianapolis region. If you're chasing a lower-paying major or unsure you'll graduate, look harder before committing.