University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana · Private Nonprofit · 66.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 43/100 · Poor Value
University of Indianapolis (UIndy) earns a Poor Value tier ROI score of 43, with a 12.2-year payback period and a 0.701 debt-to-earnings ratio (subscore 28) leading the negative metrics. Sticker tuition is $37,200 with average net price of $21,602 and total four-year cost of $86,408. Median 10-year earnings reach $53,610 against $26,864 in median debt. The 55.8% completion rate is mediocre. Repayment rate of 70.2% (subscore 40) suggests roughly 30% of borrowers are not making meaningful progress on principal. The school has clear strengths in nursing (B grade, $71,248 first-year earnings), accounting, and finance, but the broader institutional financial picture is challenging because most students enroll in lower-earning kinesiology, psychology, and education tracks where the math is much tighter. Indiana's public alternatives (IU-Bloomington, Purdue, Ball State) offer comparable or better outcomes at meaningfully lower in-state cost.
The data raises concerns about University of Indianapolis
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score43/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
University of Indianapolis
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $37,200/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $37,200/yr |
| Average net price | $21,602/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $86,408 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,610 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $38,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,864 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $285 |
| Estimated payback period | 12.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 55.8% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 3,005 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Indianapolis is $37,200/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $21,602/year, or roughly $86,408 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $15,346/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $28,004/year.
The median graduate leaves with $26,864 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $285 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $53,610 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.70 - 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 | $15,346 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,863 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,262 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,855 |
| $110,001+ | $28,004 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $15,346 per year, $61,400 over four years. With $53,610 median 10-year earnings, the math works for completers but the 55.8% completion rate is the dominant risk. Pell-eligible students get meaningful aid here, but they should compare against IUPUI in the same Indianapolis market where in-state public pricing is much lower.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $21,262 and $75,001-$110,000 pays $23,855. Four-year cost runs $85,000 to $95,400, near or above the published $86,408 average. Combined with the 0.701 debt-to-earnings ratio for typical borrowers, middle-income families face a stretched payback path that the public Indiana alternatives largely avoid.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Households over $110,000 pay $28,004 per year, $112,000 over four years, the steepest tier. With median earnings of $53,610 and a 12.2-year payback, full-pay families are not getting clearly better outcomes than IU-Bloomington or Purdue would provide at half the price. The private price is justifiable mainly for nursing-track students.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Indianapolis with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $83,156 | B |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $59,819 | C |
| Psychology | $54,319 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $61,006 | C |
| Finance and Financial Management | $86,923 | C+ |
| Teacher Education | $49,861 | C |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $62,307 | C |
| Communication and Media Studies | $48,711 | D |
| Biology | $67,270 | C |
| Social Work | $50,666 | 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.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is one of UIndy's largest programs with 112 graduates and earns a B ROI grade. First-year earnings of $71,248 climb to $83,156 by year four, very strong for the field and the highest first-year earnings on campus. Median debt of $27,187 against these earnings produces a 0.382 debt-to-earnings ratio, healthy. UIndy's nursing program is the school's clearest ROI win and a defensible reason to choose the private price.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology and Exercise Science has 103 graduates and earns a C ROI grade. First-year earnings of $38,364 grow to $59,819 by year four, modest, with $26,786 in median debt and a 0.698 debt-to-earnings ratio. Many graduates pursue physical therapy, athletic training, or chiropractic graduate programs where lifetime earnings are higher than the bachelor's-only data captures.
Psychology
Psychology has 99 graduates and earns a D ROI grade. First-year earnings of $32,237 grow to $54,319 by year four, but $26,962 in median debt produces a 0.836 debt-to-earnings ratio. As is typical for psychology nationally, this credential requires graduate or professional school for viable earnings outcomes, the bachelor's-only path is financially difficult at private-college pricing.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration has 98 graduates and earns a C ROI grade. First-year earnings of $44,216 grow to $61,006 by year four, with $27,000 in median debt and a 0.611 debt-to-earnings ratio. Solid outcomes for business in the Indianapolis labor market, but the cost differential against IUPUI's business programs is hard to justify.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance and Financial Management has 78 graduates and earns a C+ ROI grade. First-year earnings of $54,590 climb to $86,923 by year four, the strongest four-year earnings on campus. Median debt of $26,400 and a 0.484 debt-to-earnings ratio produce healthy financial outcomes. Along with nursing and accounting, finance is one of UIndy's stronger ROI tracks.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 66.1% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 70.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 59.7% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 65.0% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 66.5% |
| Enrollment | 3,005 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 32.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,128 |
UIndy admits 66.5% of applicants. SAT and ACT mid-50% bands are not reported in current Scorecard data, making test-based selectivity context unavailable. The 55.8% completion rate is mediocre by private-college standards and combined with the moderate admission rate suggests the school accepts a broad academic range, with completion variance correlating to incoming preparation.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Peer institutions include Anderson University and Bethel University (both small Indiana Christian privates), Southern Adventist University, Florida Southern College (a small Florida private with stronger outcomes), and UTA Mesivta of Kiryas Joel (a religious institution with very different mission). Within the secular private peer set, UIndy's $53,610 ten-year earnings sit roughly mid-pack. Florida Southern is the strongest peer on completion and earnings. UIndy's 12.2-year payback is meaningfully worse than Florida Southern's profile.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Indianapolis (this school) | 43 | $21,602 | $53,610 |
| Florida Southern College | 46 | $28,551 | $55,294 |
| Southern Adventist University | 41 | $24,345 | $53,723 |
| Uta Mesivta of Kiryas Joel | 39 | $4,156 | $31,853 |
| Bethel University | 34 | $18,610 | $48,860 |
| Anderson University | 32 | $25,021 | $48,899 |
Who Thrives Here
With 3,005 students and a 32.6% Pell rate, UIndy is a mid-size Indianapolis private with notable strength in nursing, allied health, and education programs. The school fits Indianapolis-area residents seeking a smaller campus environment with strong clinical program lineups, particularly nursing where the ROI math actually works. For business, kinesiology, communication, or psychology students, the private price is hard to defend against IUPUI, Indiana University-Bloomington, or other public Indiana alternatives at materially lower cost.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about University of Indianapolis. With a net cost of $21,602 per year and median graduate earnings of only $53,610 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 12.2 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $26,864 against $53,610 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
NewsletterCollege decisions are better with data.
New analyses, updated school profiles, and tools - when there’s something worth acting on.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
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.