Location: Bloomington, IN•In-State Tuition: $11,790•Out-of-State Tuition: $40,482•Admission Rate: 80%•Avg SAT: 1308
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$67,911
Est. from national median (47 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$25,832
Est. from national median (18 programs)

Analysis

Indiana's engineering programs typically generate strong first-year earnings around $75,000—notably higher than the national median of $68,000 that similar programs produce elsewhere. While IU-Bloomington's outcomes are estimated from peer institutions nationwide, this $7,000 gap deserves attention. Given the school's 80% admission rate and solid SAT profile, the engineering program may be smaller or newer than those at Indiana's more engineering-focused campuses, where graduates hit the ground earning at state-typical levels.

The estimated debt load of $26,000 appears reasonable against first-year earnings of $68,000, producing a manageable 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio. However, if actual outcomes align more closely with Indiana's engineering market—where University of Southern Indiana graduates earn $75,000—the financial picture improves significantly. The key variable here is whether IU-Bloomington's engineering graduates land Indiana jobs or relocate to markets with different salary structures.

For parents weighing this decision: IU-Bloomington offers a reputable flagship university experience, but if maximizing engineering earnings is the priority, compare this program directly against Indiana's specialized engineering schools where reported data shows stronger outcomes. The estimated figures suggest acceptable value, though not the premium returns that engineering degrees often deliver in this state.

Where Indiana University-Bloomington Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all engineering bachelors's programs nationally

Indiana University-Bloomington (estimated ±10%)Other engineering programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana

Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (13 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington$11,790$67,911*—$25,832*—
University of Southern IndianaEvansville$10,136$74,976*$78,008—*—
National Median—$67,911*—$26,056*0.38
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with engineering graduates

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers

Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Engineers, All Other

All engineers not listed separately.

Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar

Design, develop, or evaluate energy-related projects or programs to reduce energy costs or improve energy efficiency during the designing, building, or remodeling stages of construction. May specialize in electrical systems; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; green buildings; lighting; air quality; or energy procurement.

Mechatronics Engineers

Research, design, develop, or test automation, intelligent systems, smart devices, or industrial systems control.

Microsystems Engineers

Research, design, develop, or test microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices.

Photonics Engineers

Design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.

Robotics Engineers

Research, design, develop, or test robotic applications.

Nanosystems Engineers

Design, develop, or supervise the production of materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition, applying principles of nanoscale physics and electrical, chemical, or biological engineering.

Wind Energy Engineers

Design underground or overhead wind farm collector systems and prepare and develop site specifications.

Solar Energy Systems Engineers

Perform site-specific engineering analysis or evaluation of energy efficiency and solar projects involving residential, commercial, or industrial customers. Design solar domestic hot water and space heating systems for new and existing structures, applying knowledge of structural energy requirements, local climates, solar technology, and thermodynamics.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Indiana University-Bloomington, approximately 17% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 47 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.