Head-to-head · 2026
Indiana University-South Bend vs Indiana University-Southeast
Compare average net price ($8,653 at Indiana University-South Bend; $7,888 at Indiana University-Southeast), ROI score (12.99 vs 15.08), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($44,947 vs $47,596), and admissions selectivity (83.8% acceptance at Indiana University-South Bend; 84.5% at Indiana University-Southeast) 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-South Bend | Indiana University-Southeast |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 12.99 | 15.08 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $8,653 | $7,888 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $34,612 | $31,552 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $8,424 | $8,424 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $22,811 | $22,811 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $44,947 | $47,596 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 83.8% | 84.5% |
| Graduation rate | 40.1% ✓ | 39.2% |
| Retention rate | 65.1% ✓ | 63.8% |
| Median debt | $21,355 | $19,684 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 3,933 | 3,170 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1081 | 1072 |
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-South Bend | Indiana University-Southeast |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,637 | $3,782 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,926 ✓ | $4,978 |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,195 | $7,046 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $13,968 | $11,730 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $15,825 | $14,276 ✓ |
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-South Bend | Indiana University-Southeast |
|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General | 19.3% | 19.3% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 5.6% | 10.5% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 4.6% | 11.4% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 11.2% | 4.3% |
| Psychology, General | 3.9% | 8.2% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 3.3% | 3.5% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 2.9% | 3.6% |
| Biology, General | 2% | 3.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Indiana University-Southeast reports the lower average net price by $765 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $3,060 difference over four years ($31,552 vs $34,612).
Indiana University-Southeast reports $2,649 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($47,596 vs $44,947). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 65.1% at Indiana University-South Bend and 63.8% at Indiana University-Southeast. Median federal debt among completers is $21,355 vs $19,684, 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-South Bend vs Indiana University-Southeast, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Indiana University-Southeast is cheaper — average net price $7,888 per year vs $8,653 at Indiana University-South Bend. The annual difference of $765 adds up to about $3,060 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Indiana University-Southeast reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $47,596 vs $44,947 at Indiana University-South Bend. The gap in the federal data is $2,649. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Indiana University-South Bend is more selective at 83.8% acceptance vs 84.5% at Indiana University-Southeast.
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.