Trine University
Angola, Indiana · Private Nonprofit · 85.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 52/100 · Below Average Value
Trine University scores 52 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale. The school is an engineering-focused private in Angola, Indiana (2,324 enrollment) with $36,560 sticker tuition and a $25,355 net price. The institutional score understates the program-level engineering strength: $40,000 median 6-year earnings and a 10.9-year payback are driven down by lower-earning programs. Engineering disciplines dominate the program data and all earn B grades: Electrical Engineering ($73,923 year-one), Chemical Engineering ($72,875), Biomedical Engineering ($67,702), Mechanical Engineering ($66,816, 43 graduates), Civil Engineering ($65,700), and Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies ($65,013, 41 graduates). These programs produce strong entry-level outcomes relative to the $25,355 net price. The problem is Kinesiology: 59 graduates earn $25,812 year-one with an F grade and debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.046 at median debt of $27,000. The 15.6% Pell grant rate is notably low, indicating Trine's student body is predominantly from middle-to-upper income families. The 64.4% completion rate is adequate. The repayment rate of 72.5% is below average. SAT and ACT data are not reported. Trine's identity is primarily an engineering college; the data confirms that engineering graduates in Angola's reach of Indiana's manufacturing, automotive, and technology sectors are well-served by the institution.
Trine University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $36,560/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $36,560/yr |
| Average net price | $25,355/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $101,420 |
| 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 | 10.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 64.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,324 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Trine University is $36,560/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $25,355/year, or roughly $101,420 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $19,661/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $29,066/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 | $19,661 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,470 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,463 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,031 |
| $110,001+ | $29,066 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $19,661 per year -- roughly $78,600 over four years. For engineering students who complete, year-one earnings of $65k-$74k on $27,000 in debt is a strong outcome at this cost. The 15.6% Pell rate means few Trine students come from this bracket. For the low-income students who do enroll, program selection is critical: engineering students have a clear path; kinesiology and social science students do not.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families pay $19,463 (48001-75000 bracket) to $24,031 (75001-110000 bracket). The 0-30000 and 48001-75000 brackets are nearly identical ($19,661 and $19,463), which is unusual. Four-year costs of $78,000-$96,000 are significant for an Indiana private. Engineering graduates in this cost range have a workable ROI case. Non-engineering students face a harder financial justification.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $29,066 per year -- about $116,000 over four years. At this cost, engineering graduates earning $65k-$74k year-one face a payback period of roughly 6-8 years for the engineering programs specifically. Non-engineering programs at this full-pay cost level are difficult to justify on earnings grounds.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Trine University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $58,816 | F |
| Mechanical Engineering | $86,997 | B |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $77,517 | B |
| Biology | $52,806 | C |
| Civil Engineering | $78,808 | B |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $48,877 | D |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $78,520 | - |
| Biomedical Engineering | $67,702 | B |
| Chemical Engineering | $88,192 | B |
| Psychology | $46,798 | D |
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.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering (12 graduates) earns $73,923 year-one and $92,945 at year four (B grade, debt-to-earnings 0.365, median debt $27,000). Year-one of $74k is strong for northeast Indiana engineering employment. Four-year trajectory to $93k shows solid progression. The B grade reflects efficient debt relative to earnings. Small cohort of 12 limits data robustness but aligns with typical cohort sizes for EE at smaller engineering-focused schools.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering (43 graduates) earns $66,816 year-one and $86,997 at year four (B grade, debt-to-earnings 0.404, median debt $27,000). The largest engineering cohort by graduates. Year-one of $67k is strong for Indiana's manufacturing and automotive sector. Four-year figure of $87k reflects typical ME career progression. Debt-to-earnings of 0.404 at $25,355 net price per year is manageable. Mechanical engineering at Trine delivers the institution's strongest volume outcome.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (9 graduates) earns $43,504 year-one and $57,055 at year four (C+ grade, debt-to-earnings 0.534, median debt $23,250). Year-one of $43k is modest for a private business program. The C+ grade reflects adequate but not efficient returns at Trine's cost level. Small cohort of 9 limits reliability. Business students at Trine should assess whether the engineering-focused campus culture and Angola location align with their career targets.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology (59 graduates, one of the larger cohorts) earns $25,812 year-one and $58,816 at year four (F grade, debt-to-earnings 1.046, median debt $27,000). Year-one earnings of $25k against $27,000 in debt creates immediate financial distress. The F grade accurately captures this mismatch. The four-year trajectory to $59k shows eventual improvement, but the early financial period is severe. At $36,560 tuition, Kinesiology at Trine is a high-cost credential for a low-wage entry point. Students should assess whether a kinesiology degree from a rural Indiana private is competitive for the career paths they have in mind.
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 | 85.5% |
| Enrollment | 2,324 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 15.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,043 |
At 85.5%, Trine is broadly accessible. No standardized test data is reported. Engineering programs at Trine have ABET accreditation, which is the relevant credential quality signal for students and employers. Students choosing Trine for engineering should compare Purdue University Fort Wayne, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and Indiana Tech as competitive alternatives across different cost and prestige levels.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Trine's Scorecard peers include Anderson University, University of Findlay, and Otterbein University. Among Indiana engineering privates, Trine competes with Indiana Tech and Rose-Hulman at different quality and cost levels. Rose-Hulman is a significantly more selective engineering school at higher cost with dramatically stronger outcomes. Purdue Fort Wayne offers public-rate engineering education in the same regional labor market. Trine's 52 Below Average Value score reflects the institutional drag from non-engineering programs on a school whose engineering programs individually warrant a higher rating. Students committed to engineering in northeast Indiana's industrial economy will find Trine a reasonable choice; students outside engineering should look carefully at the alternative options.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trine University (this school) | 52 | $25,355 | $57,165 |
| Otterbein University | 53 | $19,237 | $53,313 |
| The University of Findlay | 52 | $27,221 | $56,996 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | 48 | $29,657 | $59,593 |
| Bethel University | 34 | $18,610 | $48,860 |
| Anderson University | 32 | $25,021 | $48,899 |
Who Thrives Here
Trine admits 85.5% of applicants and reports no SAT or ACT data to the Scorecard. Enrollment is 2,324. The 15.6% Pell rate indicates a student body primarily from middle-to-upper income families -- unusual for a private in rural Indiana. Engineering is clearly the school's core strength and identity. Students seeking engineering credentials within reach of Fort Wayne, South Bend, and the broader Great Lakes manufacturing corridor will find Trine's industry connections relevant. Students in social sciences, criminal justice, or kinesiology face substantially weaker outcomes data at private school tuition.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Trine University is mixed. At $25,355 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $57,165 ten years after entry - a payback period of 10.9 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.
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.