Cost & ROI · 2026
Is Indiana University-South Bend worth it?
Pay $8,653/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $44,947 ten years out — about 5.2× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: A.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
Indiana University-South Bend vs Indiana avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Indiana college and the typical US college.
| Metric | Indiana University-South Bend | Indiana avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $8,653 | $19,858 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $44,947 | $55,495 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $21,355 | $22,640 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▼ 40.1% | 54.4% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▲ 83.8% | 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 $69,456 over four years. Most students get $8,711/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $21,355 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 48% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median Indiana University-South Bend grad earns about -$2,120 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-South Bend
The average student at Indiana University-South Bend pays $8,653 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $17,364 published sticker price. That is below the IN average net price of $19,858.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $44,947 — below the IN median of $55,495. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $21,355, roughly $232 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a moderate load at about 48% 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-South Bend.
Hammond, IN · Public Purdue University Northwest A+ Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at Indiana University-South Bend?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $8,653 per year. That's $8,711/yr in financial aid against the $17,364 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $34,612.
How much do Indiana University-South Bend graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Indiana University-South Bend graduates earn a median of $44,947 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 5.2× the annual net cost.
How much debt do Indiana University-South Bend graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $21,355 — about $232/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 34.9% of students take federal loans.
Is Indiana University-South Bend worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns Indiana University-South Bend a value grade of A — top 17% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $8,653/yr, earn $44,947/yr ten years out, ROI score of 12.99. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at Indiana University-South Bend?
42.7% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 34.9% take federal student loans. On average, students get $8,711 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-South Bend?
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-South Bend?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $4,637. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $15,825. 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 →