Students at Indiana University-Southeast benefit from exceptional affordability that makes higher education accessible without overwhelming debt.
The university's strong financial aid and manageable costs create sustainable pathways to degree completion for first-generation and working students.
Indiana University-Southeast ranks as a regional public university that prioritizes affordability and access over selectivity. Located in New Albany near Louisville, IU Southeast serves a substantial population of first-generation students (41%) and Pell recipients (34%), offering one of the most affordable net price structures among Indiana public universities. While earnings outcomes are modest compared to flagship institutions, the university provides a practical pathway to degree completion without overwhelming debt.
The institution's strength lies in its financial accessibility rather than premium outcomes. Low-income students pay just $4,253 annually, and middle-income families see costs around $8,343, making it one of the more affordable options in the region. Graduates typically earn $47,596 ten years after enrollment, which represents solid middle-class outcomes for a regional university serving a largely local student population.
As a medium-sized regional campus, IU Southeast focuses on serving students who might not otherwise attend college, providing educational access in a region where higher education participation has historically been lower. The university's mission centers on practical degree programs that connect to regional employment opportunities rather than competing for national rankings or research prestige.
Indiana University-Southeast's program portfolio reflects its regional mission, with Business leading both in scale and economic impact. The Business program graduates 168 students annually with median earnings around $44,276, making it the institution's primary economic engine and most reliable pathway to stable middle-class careers. This concentration in practical, professionally-oriented programs serves the needs of students seeking direct workforce entry in the Louisville-Southern Indiana region.
Computer Science represents the university's highest-earning program, with 25 graduates achieving median earnings of $69,338, demonstrating that even regional institutions can deliver strong outcomes in technical fields. However, the program's smaller scale limits its overall institutional impact compared to the larger Business cohort. General Studies (96 graduates) and Psychology (84 graduates) show more modest earnings at $30,409 and $32,010 respectively, reflecting their role as foundational programs that often lead to graduate study or entry-level professional positions.
The program mix emphasizes accessibility and practical career preparation over specialized or research-intensive fields. This approach aligns with the university's mission to serve first-generation and working students who need clear pathways to employment rather than academic prestige. While earnings outcomes are modest compared to flagship institutions, they represent meaningful economic advancement for the student population IU Southeast serves, particularly given the low debt levels most graduates carry.
Graduates of Indiana University-Southeast achieve solid middle-class earnings that reflect the institution's regional focus and practical program mix. Ten years after enrollment, typical graduates earn $47,596, placing the university around the national average for regional institutions. While these outcomes are modest compared to flagship universities, they represent meaningful economic advancement for the student population IU Southeast serves, many of whom are first-generation college students entering the workforce in the Louisville-Southern Indiana region.
Program-level outcomes vary significantly across fields of study. Business majors, who represent the largest graduating class at 168 students, earn around $44,276 early in their careers and generate the highest aggregate economic return for the institution. Computer Science graduates, though fewer in number at 25 students annually, achieve the strongest individual earnings at $69,338, demonstrating the value of technical programs even at regional institutions. General Studies (96 graduates) and Psychology (84 graduates) show more modest outcomes at $30,409 and $32,010 respectively, reflecting the career paths typical of these foundational fields.
The university's earnings outcomes, while not exceptional, provide reasonable returns given the low debt levels most students carry. With federal loan debt averaging $19,684, graduates can typically manage repayment comfortably on middle-class salaries, making IU Southeast a financially sustainable choice for students seeking practical career preparation without excessive borrowing.
Indiana University-Southeast stands out for exceptional affordability across all income levels, making higher education accessible to families throughout the economic spectrum. Low-income students pay just $4,253 annually after aid, well below typical costs at most public universities, while middle-income families see predictable costs around $8,343 per year. Even higher-income families pay a reasonable $12,852, creating a transparent and manageable pricing structure that helps families plan effectively for degree completion.
The university's debt profile reflects this commitment to affordability. Typical graduates leave with $19,684 in federal student loan debt, a manageable level that aligns well with the earnings graduates achieve. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $10,359, indicating that many families can cover substantial portions of college costs through grants, work, and savings rather than relying heavily on parent debt. The combination of low sticker prices and strong financial aid makes IU Southeast particularly attractive to cost-conscious families.
What makes the affordability story especially compelling is the sustainability of the debt students do take on. With no federal loan defaults recorded in recent cohorts, graduates demonstrate their ability to manage repayment successfully. The university's loan repayment patterns show steady progress, with borrowers consistently paying down balances at rates that exceed national medians, reflecting both the manageable debt levels and the practical career preparation that enables graduates to service their loans effectively.
Indiana University-Southeast Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
