Indiana University-Northwest
Gary, IN 46408-1197
About Indiana University-Northwest
Indiana University-Northwest is a public research university in Gary, Indiana, serving roughly 2,661 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 73.39% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $43,361 among students who received federal aid.
Key findings
- Indiana University-Northwest charges 53% above the national public median tuition ($8,424).
- Versus the Indiana median, sticker tuition is 17% below.
- Average net price runs below the Indiana median net price.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 37.38%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $43,361.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at Indiana University-Northwest is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 2013% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University-Northwest | $8,424 | $5,130 | 1 |
| Public (national median) | $5,512 | — | 1,688 |
| Indiana (state median) | $10,090 | $9,763 | 92 |
| Rural (locale median) | $14,160 | $18,700 | 1,649 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
Average net price is 39% below published tuition at Indiana University-Northwest
Key findings
- Indiana University-Northwest's average net price ($5,130) is 39% below published tuition ($8,424).
- Indiana University-Northwest charges 53% above the national public median tuition ($8,424).
- Versus the Indiana median, sticker tuition is 17% below.
- Average net price runs below the Indiana median net price.
Indiana University-Northwest tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $8,424
Finding Indiana University-Northwest charges 53% above the national public median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $8,424. That is 53% above the national public median ($5,512). Versus the Indiana median ($10,090), sticker tuition is 17% below. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is 29% below.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to public and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at Indiana University-Northwest versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at Indiana University-Northwest versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at Indiana University-Northwest is $5,130.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $5,130 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $4,633 below the Indiana median net price. Versus rural campuses, net price runs $13,570 below the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway Indiana University-Northwest’s published tuition substantially overstates typical undergraduate cost: average net price is about 39% lower after grants and scholarships.
Indiana University-Northwest: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for Indiana University-Northwest—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
In-state tuition
$8,424
Out-of-state tuition
$22,811
Avg. net price
$5,130
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $1,419 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $331 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $5,159 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $10,047 |
| $110,001+ | $13,042 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $33,696. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What Indiana University-Northwest is known for
Top program completions
- Business/Commerce, General73
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other66
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies52
- Psychology, General51
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse45
See earnings & programs for more.
Admissions landscape
- Broad access — most applicants are admitted.
- Yield: 22% of admitted students enrolled.
- Average SAT: 1055
- Midpoint ACT: 22
See Admissions for the full funnel.
Is Indiana University-Northwest a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
Indiana University-Northwest is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for Indiana University-Northwest.
Campus
Location
Gary, IN
City / state
- ZIP
- 46408-1197
- NCES locale
- Rural fringe
Compared with Rural campuses nationally, net price is about 0.3× the median for Rural campuses ($18,700 median).
Control
Institution type
Public
Control
- Region
- Great Lakes
- Carnegie
- Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus
Size
Enrollment
2,661
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 5,494
- Graduate
- 263
- Full-time share
- 76%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$21,710
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 42.55%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for Indiana University-Northwest.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Indiana University-Northwest was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Indiana University-Northwest in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $6,739 | $17,778 | $13,211 |
| 2014 | $6,854 | $18,081 | $8,951 |
| 2015 | $6,963 | $18,379 | $8,549 |
| 2016 | $7,073 | $18,683 | $8,760 |
| 2017 | $7,207 | $19,038 | $8,358 |
| 2018 | $7,344 | $19,400 | $7,665 |
| 2019 | $7,527 | $19,978 | $7,755 |
| 2020 | $7,715 | $20,574 | $6,363 |
| 2021 | $7,827 | $20,934 | $6,666 |
| 2022 | $7,941 | $21,301 | $6,488 |
| 2023 | $8,179 | $22,043 | $5,970 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Applicants → admits → first-time enrollment from College Scorecard / IPEDS. Bar widths are scaled for readability at highly selective schools.
Test Scores
Average 1055 (middle 50% not reported)
Midpoint 22 (middle 50% not reported)
Scores for enrollees who submitted tests (College Scorecard).
Academic Requirements
Estimated from admission selectivity and test scores. Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
Estimated range · median 3.20
Estimated GPA band from selectivity and test scores — not an official requirement.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Indiana University-Northwest reported total enrollment of about 2,661 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 26% male and 74% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (42.2%), Hispanic or Latino (29.6%), and Black or African American (19.8%). About 42.55% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 45.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
76.1% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Indiana University-Northwest in 2024 is 2,661 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 5,494 students. Graduate enrollment is about 263 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
71.4%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
19.97% 100% Completion Time
37.38% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 19.97% of students graduating from Indiana University-Northwest completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business/Commerce, General: 53% male / 47% female
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other: 24% male / 76% female
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 29% male / 71% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
Indiana University-Northwest graduates earn a median of $43,361 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of Indiana University-Northwest.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $43,361. Median federal loan debt: $21,710. Average net price used in cost models: $5,130.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway Indiana University-Northwest graduates report median earnings of $43,361 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for Indiana University-Northwest.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (48 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at Indiana University-Northwest.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for Indiana University-Northwest graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for Indiana University-Northwest—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$17.3M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- Indiana median 0.21× the median ($83.1M)
- Great Lakes median 0.54× the median ($31.8M)
- U.S. median 0.65× the median ($26.4M)
- Indiana median 0.19× the median ($31,877)
- Great Lakes median 0.35× the median ($16,690)
- U.S. median 0.49× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 48.4%
- Indiana median 27.5 pp below median (75.8%)
- Great Lakes median 9.7 pp below median (58.1%)
- U.S. median 9.6 pp below median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $7,562
- Indiana median near the median ($7,744)
- Great Lakes median 0.94× the median ($8,046)
- U.S. median near the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $9,136
- Indiana median 1.3× the median ($7,011)
- Great Lakes median 1.2× the median ($7,690)
- U.S. median 1.3× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Indiana University-Northwest at a glance
Indiana University-Northwest
Indiana University-Northwest is a public institution in Gary, IN, classified as Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Business/Commerce, GeneralLiberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, OtherLiberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian42.2%Hispanic or Latino29.6%Black or African American19.8%
Schools near Indiana University-Northwest
Other campuses in Gary, IN when available, plus nearby institutions in Indiana.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade D) within Indiana, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Indiana University-Northwest located?
Indiana University-Northwest is located in Gary, IN.
What is Indiana University-Northwest's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Indiana University-Northwest is 73.4% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 2,820 applicants and 2,163 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
What is Indiana University-Northwest's tuition?
Indiana University-Northwest tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $8,424 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $5,130 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does Indiana University-Northwest cost?
Reported tuition is $8,424 and average net price is $5,130 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $10,972 annually.
Why is Indiana University-Northwest's net price so much lower than tuition?
At Indiana University-Northwest, published tuition is $8,424 while average net price is $5,130—about 39% lower. Average net price subtracts grant and scholarship aid from cost of attendance for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid (College Scorecard). Institutional aid therefore compresses sticker price into a lower typical undergraduate cost signal. The campus average still masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average. EDsmart Data treats the sticker–net gap as an analytical finding, not advice about individual aid offers.
What explains Indiana University-Northwest's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($5,130), completion (37.4% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($43,361). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at Indiana University-Northwest?
Indiana University-Northwest reports undergraduate enrollment of about 5,494 students, White (42.2%), Hispanic or Latino (29.6%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Indiana University-Northwest?
About 45.4% of students at Indiana University-Northwest are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Indiana University-Northwest?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Indiana University-Northwest reports midpoint SAT about 1055 and midpoint ACT about 22.
What do graduates of Indiana University-Northwest earn?
Median earnings are $39,714 six years after entry and $43,361 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Indiana University-Northwest?
The 150%-time completion rate is 37.4% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Indiana University-Northwest students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $21,710.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.