Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Trine University #1110 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,035 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Trine University in the 78.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Trine University sits in the 72.4 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting strong graduate outcomes relative to cost.
Azimuth ranks Trine University #1110 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Angola, Indiana, Trine University enrolls roughly 2,324 undergraduates. Retention is 79.9% and the six-year graduation rate is 64.4%, reflecting solid conversion of enrollment into degree completion. Where Trine University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Trine University #410 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $67,814. The institution's engineering-focused program portfolio — with Engineering as the dominant field — drives strong early-career outcomes and positions graduates into stable, well-paying technical careers. Graduates earn about $6,035 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Trine University in the 78.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Trine University sits in the 10.3 percentile for access and the 24.4 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 15.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 32.2% are first-generation college students, reflecting a more selective enrollment profile typical of private master's institutions. For students who enroll, the combination of strong engineering outcomes and manageable debt makes Trine University a practical choice for those prioritizing long-term financial returns over lowest sticker price.
Trine University's published cost of attendance is $51,109. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $19,661, families in the lower-middle income band pay around $20,470, middle-income families pay about $19,463, families in the upper-middle income band pay approximately $24,031, and higher-income families pay roughly $29,066. Azimuth ranks Trine University #1077 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Trine University uses need-based aid to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Merit scholarships are also available for qualifying students, which can further reduce net price depending on academic and other credentials. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $32,897; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $67,814, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Trine University is a strong fit for students interested in engineering and applied fields who want a private nonprofit university experience in IN. Its program mix leans toward practical, career-oriented education, with Engineering accounting for 29% of degrees. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $67,814, placing Trine University in the 71.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $6,035 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 78.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 15.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 32.2% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $29,066, and median federal debt at graduation is $25,000. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 85.5% admit rate makes the application process moderately selective, and the program mix favors applied fields over liberal arts. Students whose interests align with engineering and similar areas will find strong earnings outcomes.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Trine University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Trine University's published cost of attendance is $51,109. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $19,661, families in the lower-middle income band pay around $20,470, middle-income families pay about $19,463, families in the upper-middle income band pay approximately $24,031, and higher-income families pay roughly $29,066.
Azimuth ranks Trine University #1077 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Trine University uses need-based aid to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Merit scholarships are also available for qualifying students, which can further reduce net price depending on academic and other credentials. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $32,897; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $67,814, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Trine University earn median 4-year earnings of $67,814, placing Trine University in the 71.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,035 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Trine University in the 78.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Trine University #410 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Trine University's concentration in engineering and applied fields.
Kinesiology is the largest program with 80 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $58,816, running 1.1× the national benchmark for the field. The Mechanical Engineering program graduates 49 students earning median 4-year earnings of $86,997, and Drafting and Design Engineering produces 39 graduates with median 4-year earnings of $77,517.
Psychology, General and Criminal Justice round out the top programs, with 32 and 31 graduates respectively earning $46,798 and $48,877. The dominance of Engineering — which represents 29% of degrees — combined with strong performance in Business (12%) and Education (7%), explains why Trine University graduates see earnings outcomes that exceed those at comparable institutions.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rollins College Similar quality tier (#29429 ranked) | FL | 48% | $58,295 | #29429 | Compare |
West Virginia Wesleyan College Similar quality tier (#29432 ranked) | WV | 93% | $51,593 | #29432 | Compare |
Augustana College Similar quality tier in Midwest (#29433 ranked) | IL | 63% | $62,971 | #29433 | Compare |
Marietta College Similar quality tier in Midwest (#29420 ranked) | OH | 79% | $57,180 | #29420 | Compare |
Spelman College Similar quality tier (#29417 ranked) | GA | 25% | $59,993 | #29417 | Compare |
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
12 graduates
Chemical Engineering
27 graduates
Mechanical Engineering
49 graduates
Computer Engineering
14 graduates
Civil Engineering
29 graduates
Trine University's program mix is anchored in Engineering, a portfolio that reflects the institution's engineering-focused identity. Kinesiology is the largest program with 80 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $58,816, followed by Mechanical Engineering with 49 graduates earning $86,997, Drafting and Design Engineering with 39 graduates earning $77,517, Psychology, General with 32 graduates earning $46,798, and Criminal Justice with 31 graduates earning $48,877.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 512 students annually, several deliver strong four-year earnings outcomes aligned with technical and applied-professional fields. The highest-earning programs at Trine University cluster in engineering and technology-adjacent disciplines.
Chemical Engineering graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $88,192 with 27 graduates, while Mechanical Engineering delivers $86,997 with 49 graduates and Civil Engineering reaches $78,808 with 29 graduates. Drafting and Design Engineering and Kinesiology round out the top-earning cohort with $77,517 and $58,816 respectively.
This concentration in applied technical fields reflects both employer demand in manufacturing, technology, and construction sectors and the institution's curricular strength in hands-on, project-based engineering education. The program-mix signature shows Engineering representing 29% of graduates, Business at 12%, and Education at 7%, underscoring the institution's positioning as an engineering-and-applied-sciences-focused private university.
These are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly into roles with strong wage growth and stable hiring demand. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Trine University's dominant program families align with national labor-market demand in technical and professional sectors.
