At $25,580/yr net price, Trine University graduates earn $57,165/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $23,165/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,580 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $102,320 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $57,165/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$23,165/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 67.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,615/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,845/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,043/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,080/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,763/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $74,576 | $27,000 |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,338 | $27,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $68,219 | $27,000 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $67,899 | |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $64,706 | $27,000 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $54,252 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $52,941 | $13,800 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $47,729 | $16,066 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $47,260 | $20,000 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $46,478 |
The Risk Factor
67.6% of students at Trine University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 32% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Trine University gives you a solid financial return if you study engineering, and a weaker one if you don't. The median graduate earns around $57,000 ten years out against a median debt of $25,000, which is a manageable ratio. The 85% retention rate and 68% graduation rate mean you have a real chance of finishing and actually collecting on that degree.
Engineering is where Trine pays off. Electrical engineering graduates clear roughly $74,000, and chemical and mechanical engineering both land near $68,000. That's $10,000 to $17,000 above the school-wide median, and it comfortably covers the roughly $27,000 debt those programs carry. Angola sits in a manufacturing-heavy corner of northeast Indiana near the Michigan and Ohio lines, so mechanical, electrical, and drafting graduates step into a regional job market built for them.
The risk is that Trine's payoff is concentrated in these technical fields. The listed programs are all engineering or engineering technology. If you enroll planning to major in something outside engineering, you're paying private-school tuition without the salary data that justifies it here, and you should ask the school directly what non-engineering graduates earn before committing.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay roughly $17,000 to $18,000 a year, well below the $25,580 sticker. Above $110,000, you pay close to $30,000. There's an odd bump for the $48,000 to $75,000 band, who pay about $21,000, more than families earning less.
Trine is a good fit for you if you want an engineering degree and plan to work in the industrial Midwest. If you're aiming at a non-technical major and paying near full price, the numbers here don't clearly support the cost, and a cheaper public option may serve you better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trine University worth the cost?
Trine University can be worth it for engineering students, with electrical and chemical engineering graduates earning $69,000-75,000 annually. However, the $25,580 annual cost and 68% graduation rate mean significant financial risk for students in lower-paying programs.
What is the ROI for Trine University engineering programs?
Trine's engineering programs offer solid returns, with electrical engineering graduates earning $74,576 and mechanical engineering graduates making $68,219 after 10 years. These salaries justify the investment for students who complete their degrees.
How much debt do Trine University graduates have?
Trine graduates typically leave with $25,000 in debt, which is manageable for engineering majors earning $67,000-75,000 but creates financial strain for graduates in lower-paying fields. One-third of students don't graduate, making debt without a degree a real risk.
Should I attend Trine University for non-engineering majors?
Trine University is primarily worth considering for engineering programs where graduates earn well above the school's overall average of $57,165. Students interested in other fields may find better value elsewhere given the cost and graduation rate.