Head-to-head · 2026
Indiana State University vs Indiana University-Northwest
Compare average net price ($10,873 at Indiana State University; $5,130 at Indiana University-Northwest), ROI score (11.13 vs 21.13), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($48,387 vs $43,361), and admissions selectivity (80.8% acceptance at Indiana State University; 73.4% at Indiana University-Northwest) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Indiana State University | Indiana University-Northwest |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 11.13 | 21.13 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $10,873 | $5,130 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $43,492 | $20,520 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $10,258 | $8,424 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $22,322 | $22,811 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $48,387 ✓ | $43,361 |
| Acceptance rate | 80.8% | 73.4% |
| Graduation rate | 42.9% ✓ | 37.4% |
| Retention rate | 65.9% | 71.4% ✓ |
| Median debt | $24,000 | $21,710 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 6,188 | 2,661 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1055 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Indiana State University | Indiana University-Northwest |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,455 | $1,419 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,571 | $331 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,317 | $5,159 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,450 | $10,047 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $19,345 | $13,042 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Indiana State University | Indiana University-Northwest |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 9.4% | 13% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 1.2% | 12.4% |
| Psychology, General | 4% | 8.8% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 3.5% | 8% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 4.5% | 5.8% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2.1% | 6.1% |
| Social Work | 1.2% | 4.2% |
| Biology, General | 2.4% | 2.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Indiana University-Northwest reports the lower average net price by $5,743 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $22,972 difference over four years ($20,520 vs $43,492).
Indiana State University reports $5,026 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($48,387 vs $43,361). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 65.9% at Indiana State University and 71.4% at Indiana University-Northwest. Median federal debt among completers is $24,000 vs $21,710, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Indiana State University vs Indiana University-Northwest, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Indiana University-Northwest is cheaper — average net price $5,130 per year vs $10,873 at Indiana State University. The annual difference of $5,743 adds up to about $22,972 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Indiana State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $48,387 vs $43,361 at Indiana University-Northwest. The gap in the federal data is $5,026. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Indiana University-Northwest is more selective at 73.4% acceptance vs 80.8% at Indiana State University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.