Cost & ROI · 2026
Is Indiana University-Northwest worth it?
Pay $5,130/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $43,361 ten years out — about 8.5× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: A+.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
Indiana University-Northwest vs Indiana avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Indiana college and the typical US college.
| Metric | Indiana University-Northwest | Indiana avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $5,130 | $19,858 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $43,361 | $55,495 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $21,710 | $22,640 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▼ 37.4% | 54.4% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▲ 73.4% | 76.5% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $55,956 over four years. Most students get $8,859/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $21,710 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 50% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're below the recommended ceiling.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median Indiana University-Northwest grad earns about -$65,560 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about Indiana University-Northwest
The average student at Indiana University-Northwest pays $5,130 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $13,989 published sticker price. That is below the IN average net price of $19,858.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $43,361 — below the IN median of $55,495. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $21,710, roughly $236 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a moderate load at about 50% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Indiana colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of Indiana University-Northwest.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at Indiana University-Northwest?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $5,130 per year. That's $8,859/yr in financial aid against the $13,989 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $20,520.
How much do Indiana University-Northwest graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Indiana University-Northwest graduates earn a median of $43,361 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 8.5× the annual net cost.
How much debt do Indiana University-Northwest graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $21,710 — about $236/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 33.7% of students take federal loans.
Is Indiana University-Northwest worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns Indiana University-Northwest a value grade of A+ — top 5% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $5,130/yr, earn $43,361/yr ten years out, ROI score of 21.13. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at Indiana University-Northwest?
42.6% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 33.7% take federal student loans. On average, students get $8,859 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at Indiana University-Northwest?
In-state tuition is $8,424 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $22,811 per year — a difference of $14,387/yr or $57,548 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at Indiana University-Northwest?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $1,419. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $13,042. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →