Engineering at University of Southern Indiana

Engineering graduates from the University of Southern Indiana enter the workforce earning nearly $75,000—putting them ahead of 82% of engineering programs nationally despite the school's open-access mission. While we don't have actual debt figures for this specific program, similar engineering programs nationally carry around $26,000 in debt, which would translate to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34—well within the range financial advisors consider manageable for a technical degree.

The modest 4% earnings growth over four years is worth noting. Most engineering careers see stronger salary progression in the early years, suggesting these graduates may already be near their regional ceiling or working in industries with flatter pay scales. That said, matching the state median for engineering earnings while attending a school with a 95% admission rate and below-average test scores represents solid value. The first-year salary alone covers the estimated annual debt payment nearly seven times over.

The uncertainty around actual debt levels at USI matters here. If this program's graduates carry significantly more or less than the $26,000 estimate, that would shift the calculation. But barring major deviations, the fundamentals look sound: strong starting pay, manageable estimated debt, and outcomes that compete well beyond what the school's profile might suggest. For families seeking an engineering degree without cutthroat admissions, this appears to deliver professional credentials at a reasonable cost.