University of Evansville
Evansville, Indiana · Private Nonprofit · 77.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 58/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
The University of Evansville earns a Below Average Value ROI score of 58 - reasonable but not exceptional for a small Indiana private. Tuition lists at $44,172 with heavy aid bringing net price to $18,499 and four-year cost to $73,996. The school's strengths show in completion (64.5%, scoring 68) and repayment (81.5%, scoring 75) - students finish, then meaningfully pay down their loans. Median earnings six years out are modest at $40,700, growing to $53,770 by year ten. Payback period of 11.4 years is reasonable, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.605 against $24,606 median debt is workable. The program data tells the real story: Evansville has serious STEM and health programs (mechanical engineering, civil engineering, nursing, allied health, accounting all earn B grades) that produce strong outcomes, paired with weak liberal arts programs (drama earns an F). As of 2024-2025 Scorecard data, Evansville works well for students who choose its strong professional programs and struggle for those who don't. The institution-wide average mostly reflects this bimodal program distribution.
University of Evansville
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $44,172/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $44,172/yr |
| Average net price | $18,499/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $73,996 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,770 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $40,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,606 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $261 |
| Estimated payback period | 11.4 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 64.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,539 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $44,172/year. Here's the part that matters - almost nobody pays that. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $18,499/year, or roughly $73,996 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $14,451/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $24,936/year.
Most students borrow to get here. The median graduate leaves owing $24,606 in federal loans, which works out to about $261 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Hold that up against the $53,770 the typical graduate earns ten years out: the debt-to-earnings ratio comes to 0.60, within the range advisors call workable but worth keeping an eye on.
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 | $14,451 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,347 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,711 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,735 |
| $110,001+ | $24,936 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $14,451 - higher than middle-income families pay at this school, an inverted pattern worth flagging. Four-year cost approaches $58,000. For Pell-eligible students entering engineering or nursing, the math works. The aid formula favoring middle-income suggests Evansville's discounting is yield-driven rather than purely need-based.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($30,001-$48,000) get the best deal at $12,347 - notably below both lower and higher brackets. Four-year cost just under $50,000, an excellent price for a private with serious engineering programs. The brackets show genuine inversion across the lowest two tiers; the middle-income value here is the standout.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Higher-income families ($110,001+) pay $24,936 - a substantial discount off the $44,172 sticker but still meaningful. Four-year cost approaches $100,000. For full-pay families targeting the school's engineering or pre-health pipelines, the value is defensible; for liberal arts pursuits, it's hard to justify versus state flagship alternatives.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Evansville with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $80,773 | B |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $63,830 | C |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $45,838 | F |
| Mechanical Engineering | $85,851 | B |
| Accounting | $74,569 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $53,964 | C+ |
| Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment | $75,673 | B |
| Marketing | $68,363 | - |
| Civil Engineering | $80,532 | - |
| Finance and Financial Management | $61,531 | - |
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.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is Evansville's largest professional program with 39 graduates earning $71,066 in year one rising to $80,773 by year four. Median debt of $27,000 yields a healthy 0.38 ratio and B ROI grade. The program leverages strong tri-state (Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois) healthcare demand. Among the school's best financial bets and a clear standout program.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering graduates 19 students annually with first-year earnings of $66,553 climbing to $85,851 by year four. Median debt of $25,010 produces a 0.376 ratio and B ROI grade. Evansville's engineering school has strong ties to regional manufacturing - particularly Toyota Indiana operations. Excellent program-level value.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology graduates 33 students annually with first-year earnings of $34,809 against $24,031 debt - a 0.69 ratio and C ROI grade. Earnings climb to $63,830 by year four, suggesting graduates ultimately enter PT, OT, or athletic training careers requiring graduate study. The bachelor's-only economics are weak; this is a pre-professional pathway.
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Drama graduates 20 students annually with first-year earnings of just $23,407 against $23,727 debt - a 1.014 ratio (debt exceeds annual earnings) and F ROI grade. Earnings recover to $45,838 by year four but never reach a level that justifies the borrowing. Despite Evansville's strong theatre reputation, the financial reality is harsh. Students should explore lower-cost training options or treat the degree as a passion investment, not a financial one.
Accounting
Accounting graduates 18 students annually with first-year earnings of $55,891 climbing to $74,569 by year four. Median debt of $22,340 - among the lowest in the program lineup - produces a 0.4 ratio and B ROI grade. Strong Midwest accounting-firm and corporate-finance placements support the wages. A reliable financial choice within the Evansville lineup.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 78.2% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 81.5% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 83.8% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 83.6% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How University of Evansville’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2023).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 77.6% |
| Enrollment | 1,539 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 24.5% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,723 |
Evansville admits 77.6% of applicants - moderately selective for a small private. SAT and ACT data are not reported, common at test-optional institutions. The healthy 64.5% completion rate suggests Evansville selects well enough that most enrolled students finish, and the 81.5% repayment rate further suggests graduates are well-prepared for the workforce. Lack of test data is the main transparency gap; prospective students should ask about cohort academic profiles.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Evansville's peers include Anderson University-IN, Bethel University-IN, Oklahoma City University, Willamette University, and St. Francis College. Within this group Evansville's 58 score is mid-pack - Willamette typically scores higher on the strength of west-coast tech-market earnings, while Anderson and Bethel score lower. Evansville's STEM emphasis distinguishes it from purely liberal-arts peers, which materially boosts the score.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Evansville (this school) | 58 | $18,499 | $53,770 |
| Willamette University | 59 | $25,121 | $56,911 |
| Oklahoma City University | 58 | $22,857 | $54,655 |
| St. Francis College | 57 | $18,129 | $58,099 |
| Bethel University | 34 | $18,610 | $48,860 |
| Anderson University | 32 | $25,021 | $48,899 |
Who Thrives Here
Evansville fits students specifically targeting its engineering, nursing, or accounting programs - the institution's clear strengths. Enrollment of 1,539 means small classes and personal attention. Pell rate of 24.5% is moderate-low. The data is sharp on fit: choose mechanical engineering (B), nursing (B), or accounting (B) and the financial math works; choose drama (F) or kinesiology (C) and it doesn't. Students drawn to performance arts should weigh the alternatives carefully.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for University of Evansville is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $18,499 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $53,770 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 11.4 years to earn the cost back - slower than most four-year schools. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What it has going for it: high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $24,606 against $53,770 in earnings is reasonable, though your major matters a lot here. Graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
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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.