Head-to-head · 2026
Indiana State University vs Indiana University-South Bend
Compare average net price ($10,873 at Indiana State University; $8,653 at Indiana University-South Bend), ROI score (11.13 vs 12.99), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($48,387 vs $44,947), and admissions selectivity (80.8% acceptance at Indiana State University; 83.8% at Indiana University-South Bend) 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-South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 11.13 | 12.99 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $10,873 | $8,653 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $43,492 | $34,612 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $10,258 | $8,424 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $22,322 | $22,811 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $48,387 ✓ | $44,947 |
| Acceptance rate | 80.8% | 83.8% |
| Graduation rate | 42.9% ✓ | 40.1% |
| Retention rate | 65.9% ✓ | 65.1% |
| Median debt | $24,000 | $21,355 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 6,188 | 3,933 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1081 |
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-South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,455 | $4,637 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,571 | $4,926 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,317 | $8,195 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,450 | $13,968 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $19,345 | $15,825 ✓ |
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-South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 9.4% | 11.2% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 1.2% | 19.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 4.5% | 4.6% |
| Psychology, General | 4% | 3.9% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2.1% | 5.6% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 3.5% | 3.3% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 0.1% | 5.9% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 2.4% | 2.9% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Indiana University-South Bend reports the lower average net price by $2,220 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $8,880 difference over four years ($34,612 vs $43,492).
Indiana State University reports $3,440 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($48,387 vs $44,947). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 65.9% at Indiana State University and 65.1% at Indiana University-South Bend. Median federal debt among completers is $24,000 vs $21,355, 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.
Keep comparing
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Indiana State University vs Indiana University-South Bend, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Indiana University-South Bend is cheaper — average net price $8,653 per year vs $10,873 at Indiana State University. The annual difference of $2,220 adds up to about $8,880 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Indiana State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $48,387 vs $44,947 at Indiana University-South Bend. The gap in the federal data is $3,440. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Indiana State University is more selective at 80.8% acceptance vs 83.8% at Indiana University-South Bend.
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.