Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses
Angola, Indiana · Private Nonprofit · 39.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 53/100 · Below Average Value
Trine University Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses is the adult-learner and online-program arm of Trine University, headquartered in Angola, Indiana. ROI score is 53 (Below Average Value). The data has a peculiar quirk: completion rate is reported as 0, which is functionally a non-applicable placeholder for a non-traditional program where 'completion' is measured differently than for traditional first-time-full-time freshman cohorts. That zero crushes the score in the formula, but it overstates the actual ROI problem. Tuition is $7,176 -- well below traditional Trine undergrad pricing -- with average net price of $15,788 (~$63,152 over four years) reflecting that adult learners often combine work with study and bring credits in. Median earnings six years out are $40,000, climbing to $57,165 by year ten -- solid for adult learners who already had work history. The 9.2-year payback period is genuinely good. Median debt of $25,000 produces a 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio. The 73% three-year repayment rate is reasonable. For working adults completing a degree while employed, this program type offers real value -- particularly in the Drafting/Design Engineering and Accounting tracks, both of which post strong ROI grades.
The data raises concerns about Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- 6-year graduation rate0.0% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $7,176/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $7,176/yr |
| Average net price | $15,788/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $63,152 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $57,165 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $40,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $265 |
| Estimated payback period | 9.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 0.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 607 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses is $7,176/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $15,788/year, or roughly $63,152 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of N/A/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay N/A/year.
The median graduate leaves with $25,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $265 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $57,165 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.63 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | N/A |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,932 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,499 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | N/A |
| $110,001+ | N/A |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The under-$30,000 net price bracket is not reported, which is unusual -- likely because few adult learners with very low household income enroll, and Scorecard suppresses small cells. Working adults in this band should run the net price calculator individually; Pell may apply but program-specific pricing models often use flat per-credit pricing rather than aid stacking.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30,001-$48,000 bracket pays $12,932 and the $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $21,499 -- a notable inversion where middle-income adult learners pay LESS than upper-middle-income peers, likely due to Pell eligibility at the lower band. Across the middle range, four-year cost is roughly $52,000-$86,000, with significant variance.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The $75,001-$110,000 and $110,001-plus brackets have no reported data, again typical for adult-learner suppression in Scorecard. Working adults in those bands typically pay full freight at roughly $7,000-$8,000 per year tuition plus fees -- still affordable for a degree completion program. Employer tuition reimbursement, where available, can materially shift the math.
Earnings by Major
Top 6 most popular majors at Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $57,055 | C+ |
| Accounting | $65,503 | C+ |
| Psychology | $46,798 | D |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $48,877 | D |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $77,517 | B |
| Marketing | $51,244 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians
Drafting/Design Engineering is the standout: $65,013 first-year and $77,517 four-year median earnings against $27,000 median debt produce a 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio and a B ROI grade -- the strongest on this profile. Indiana and Midwest manufacturing demand for CAD and design technicians is robust, and the program serves working professionals adding credentialed expertise to existing technical careers.
Accounting
Accounting earns C+ ROI: $45,913 first-year and $65,503 four-year median earnings against $20,683 median debt (0.45 debt-to-earnings). 9 graduates per cohort. For working adults pursuing CPA pipelines or moving from bookkeeping into formal accounting roles, this is a reasonable bet -- earnings outcomes reflect both the credential value and the pre-existing work experience adult learners bring.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is the largest reported program at 23 graduates with $43,504 first-year and $57,055 four-year median earnings against $23,250 median debt (0.53 debt-to-earnings) -- a C+ ROI grade. Solid degree-completion track for working professionals targeting management roles in Indiana/Ohio/Michigan regional employers.
Psychology
Psychology shows D ROI: $37,096 first-year against $27,000 median debt produces a 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio. 8 graduates per cohort. Like most psychology bachelor's programs, the degree alone does not strongly drive earnings -- adult learners pursuing this track usually have specific career-change goals (counseling, social services) that require graduate study to monetize.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 68.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 72.5% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 64.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 70.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 39.9% |
| Enrollment | 607 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 18.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,289 |
The 40% admit rate is unusual for a non-traditional adult-learner program -- typically these programs admit broadly. SAT and ACT data are not reported, fitting the adult-learner profile where standardized tests are usually waived. The completion-rate-as-zero is a data anomaly worth flagging: traditional cohort tracking does not capture how adult learners actually progress, and the headline number should not be taken at face value for a working-adult audience.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Peer set is mixed but useful. Anderson University IN and Bethel University IN are traditional small Indiana Christian colleges -- not really equivalent to a working-adult program. Bryan College Dayton is small Christian. Briar Cliff University in Iowa is a closer adult-learner-flavored Catholic college. Heritage University in WA serves nontraditional students. Across this set, the Trine non-traditional arm's outcomes are mid-pack, with stronger earnings outcomes than several peers driven by working students who bring prior career experience.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses (this school) | 53 | $15,788 | $57,165 |
| Bryan College-Dayton | 54 | $20,614 | $54,434 |
| Heritage University | 51 | $14,598 | $49,416 |
| Briar Cliff University | 46 | $23,907 | $54,475 |
| Bethel University | 34 | $18,610 | $48,860 |
| Anderson University | 32 | $25,021 | $48,899 |
Who Thrives Here
With 607 students and an 18% Pell rate (notably lower than typical because adult learners often have stable existing income), this program fits working professionals completing a degree, switching careers, or upskilling. The 18% Pell rate suggests most students are above traditional aid thresholds. Strongest tracks are Drafting/Design Engineering (B grade, the standout), Accounting (C+), and Business Administration (C+). The fit profile: working adults in Indiana, Ohio, or Michigan who want a flexible online or regional-campus degree completion path with applied technical or business focus.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses is mixed. At $15,788 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $57,165 ten years after entry - a payback period of 9.2 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates. However, the data also shows a 0.0% graduation rate.
Median debt of $25,000 against $57,165 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.