At $8,364/yr net price, Indiana University-South Bend graduates earn $44,947/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,947/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,364 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $33,456 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,947/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,947/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 35.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,355 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,347/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,039/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,272/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,551/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,174/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. | Master | $81,997 | $37,451 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $69,535 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $54,174 | $18,905 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $50,856 | |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $50,606 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $48,198 | $21,500 |
| Public Administration. | Master | $47,260 | |
| Social Work. | Master | $43,319 | $31,271 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $41,711 | $19,949 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $37,856 | $25,784 |
The Risk Factor
35.7% of students at Indiana University-South Bend graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Indiana University-South Bend gives you a low upfront cost with a modest payoff. At $8,364 a year in net price and $21,355 in median debt, you're not taking on a heavy financial load. But median earnings ten years out sit under $45,000, so this is a school where the value comes from keeping costs down, not from outsized salaries.
Your major matters a lot here. Nursing is the clear win: graduates earn over $54,000 and carry less debt than the campus median. Computer science follows close behind at around $50,600. Both give you a real return in the South Bend and broader Michiana job market, where hospitals and health systems anchor local hiring. Business lands in the middle at roughly $41,700. Teacher education is the weak spot: you'd graduate with the highest debt of any listed program and the lowest pay, under $38,000, which is a poor combination.
The biggest risk is finishing at all. Only about 36% of students graduate, and two-thirds return after their first year. If you borrow, start a program, and leave without a degree, you keep the debt and lose the earnings bump. That completion gap is the real threat to your money here, more than the price.
If your family earns under $48,000, this is a strong deal: your net price drops to around $4,300 to $5,000 a year, and the low debt load makes the math work even at modest post-graduation pay. Above $110,000, you pay closer to $15,000 a year, which changes the calculation if you're chasing a lower-earning major.
Come here for nursing or computer science, commit to finishing, and it pays off. Go in for a low-earning field and drift, and the low sticker price won't save you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Indiana University-South Bend worth the cost?
Indiana University-South Bend offers strong value with a low net price of $8,364 per year and median debt of only $21,355. However, the 36% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which significantly hurts ROI for those who don't complete their degree.
What are the highest paying majors at Indiana University-South Bend?
Nursing programs at Indiana University-South Bend lead to the highest earnings, with some nursing graduates earning over $80,000 annually. Business graduates average $69,535, while computer science graduates earn around $50,606.
How much debt do Indiana University-South Bend graduates typically have?
Indiana University-South Bend graduates have a median debt of $21,355, which is manageable given the low cost of attendance. The affordable tuition helps keep debt levels reasonable compared to many four-year universities.
What is the job market like for Indiana University-South Bend graduates?
Indiana University-South Bend graduates earn a median of $44,947 ten years after graduation, which is below the national average. Nursing and business programs show much stronger earning potential than the overall graduate average.