Head-to-head · 2026
Indiana University-Bloomington vs Indiana University-South Bend
Compare average net price ($16,264 at Indiana University-Bloomington; $8,653 at Indiana University-South Bend), ROI score (9.80 vs 12.99), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($63,742 vs $44,947), and admissions selectivity (78.2% acceptance at Indiana University-Bloomington; 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 University-Bloomington | Indiana University-South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.80 | 12.99 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $16,264 | $8,653 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $65,056 | $34,612 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $12,144 | $8,424 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $41,891 | $22,811 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $63,742 ✓ | $44,947 |
| Acceptance rate | 78.2% | 83.8% |
| Graduation rate | 80.2% ✓ | 40.1% |
| Retention rate | 91.1% ✓ | 65.1% |
| Median debt | $19,509 ✓ | $21,355 |
| Enrollment | 37,806 | 3,933 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1313 | 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 University-Bloomington | Indiana University-South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,324 | $4,637 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,610 | $4,926 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,154 | $8,195 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $20,204 | $13,968 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $25,128 | $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 University-Bloomington | Indiana University-South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General | 28.8% | 19.3% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 1.7% | 5.6% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 4.1% | 2.9% |
| Public Administration | 5.5% | 0.8% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 1.7% | 4.6% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 4.1% | 1.4% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 1.1% | 3.3% |
| Music | 3.5% | 0.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Indiana University-South Bend reports the lower average net price by $7,611 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $30,444 difference over four years ($34,612 vs $65,056).
Indiana University-Bloomington reports $18,795 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($63,742 vs $44,947). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 91.1% at Indiana University-Bloomington and 65.1% at Indiana University-South Bend. Median federal debt among completers is $19,509 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.
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Frequently asked
Indiana University-Bloomington 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 $16,264 at Indiana University-Bloomington. The annual difference of $7,611 adds up to about $30,444 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Indiana University-Bloomington reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $63,742 vs $44,947 at Indiana University-South Bend. The gap in the federal data is $18,795. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Indiana University-Bloomington is more selective at 78.2% 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.