Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals College Scorecard official source

Affordable Alternatives to Indiana University-East

Open-data reference.

We found 15 schools structurally similar to Indiana University-East that cost less. 15 offer comparable or better earnings outcomes.

Your School

Indiana University-East

Richmond, Indiana · Public

$8,134
Net Price
$47,156
Median Earnings (10yr)
67.2%
Acceptance Rate
42.3%
150%-Time Completion

What the IPEDS & College Scorecard Data Shows for Alternatives to Indiana University-East

Indiana University-East posts an average net price of $8,134 after grants and scholarships, the IPEDS-derived figure used to anchor this alternatives search. We screened institutions in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System for colleges that report a lower net price and share structural similarity with Indiana University-East across six dimensions – ownership sector, Carnegie classification, undergraduate enrollment, admission rate, former-student earnings, and completion rate. 15 institutions cleared a 40-percent similarity threshold.

The maximum possible savings across this list is $8,102, achieved by Canada College at $32. Of greater interest to ROI-focused applicants: 15 of the 15 alternatives also report median 10-year earnings at or above Indiana University-East’s $47,156, meaning lower cost is not paired with lower earnings. The mean median-earnings figure across alternatives is $51,085.

The similarity scoring gives enrollment size, Carnegie classification, and ownership sector the highest weights as transparent structural matching choices. Admission and completion rates are secondary features, while net price determines which lower-cost matches appear. Net price is the average cost of attendance minus grant and scholarship aid for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients; it describes that source cohort, not the aid a typical admitted student or any individual family will receive. It is more informative than sticker tuition for that cohort but is not a personalized quote.

Similar Schools That Cost Less

15
Alternatives Found
$8,102
Max Savings
15
Better Value Options
73%
Best Match
Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings Horizontal bar chart of the top 5 items by value (USD). Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings 1. Indiana University-Kokomo $50k 2. Lake Washington Institute of $51k 3. Bates Technical College $50k 4. Bellingham Technical College $50k 5. University of Michigan-Flint $53k Compared to Indiana University-East: $47k.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Institution-level earnings + cost-of-attendance file · Institution data retrieved July 2026 Institution earnings use federally aided entry cohorts and are not graduate-only; net price is the cohort average for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients.

School Net Price Savings Earnings (10yr) Graduation Similarity
Indiana University-Kokomo
Kokomo, IN · Public Better Value
$3,968 -$4,166 $49,917 45.2% 73%
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Kirkland, WA · Public Better Value
$6,817 -$1,317 $50,669 38.3% 66%
Bates Technical College
Tacoma, WA · Public Better Value
$6,292 -$1,842 $50,051 43.4% 63%
Bellingham Technical College
Bellingham, WA · Public Better Value
$5,997 -$2,137 $49,748 44.4% 62%
University of Michigan-Flint
Flint, MI · Public Better Value
$7,007 -$1,127 $53,230 42.5% 54%
CUNY York College
Jamaica, NY · Public Better Value
$4,456 -$3,678 $56,945 31.3% 52%
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA · Public Better Value
$4,152 -$3,982 $50,874 45.6% 52%
Canada College
Redwood City, CA · Public Better Value
$32 -$8,102 $50,087 48.0% 51%
Mission College
Santa Clara, CA · Public Better Value
$5,080 -$3,054 $50,936 46.4% 50%
Lex La-Ray Technical Center
Lexington, MO · Public Better Value
$6,219 -$1,915 $52,142 100.0% 49%
Norco College
Norco, CA · Public Better Value
$5,169 -$2,965 $51,206 36.8% 48%
Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center
Choctaw, OK · Public Better Value
$6,904 -$1,230 $49,311 88.9% 48%
Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY · Public Better Value
$5,258 -$2,876 $49,907 26.7% 46%
Las Positas College
Livermore, CA · Public Better Value
$5,377 -$2,757 $51,088 50.7% 45%
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD · Public Better Value
$8,027 -$107 $50,159 29.7% 45%

How We Match Schools

Our similarity engine compares schools across six dimensions: institution type (Carnegie classification), ownership (public/private), enrollment size, admission selectivity, former-student earnings, and completion rates. Each dimension is weighted by its impact on student outcomes.

Only schools with a lower average net price than Indiana University-East are shown. Schools marked "Better Value" have comparable or higher median earnings at a lower cost.

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median values 10 years after enrollment, drawn from U.S. Treasury tax records. Net price is the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students, as reported through IPEDS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are cheaper alternatives to Indiana University-East?
We found 15 schools similar to Indiana University-East that cost less. The closest match is Indiana University-Kokomo with 73% similarity and a net price of $3,968.
What is the ROI of attending Indiana University-East?
Indiana University-East has an average net price of $8,134. Former students earn a median of $47,156 ten years after enrollment. The earnings-to-cost ratio is 5.8x.
Are there schools with better outcomes than Indiana University-East for less money?
Yes - 15 of 15 alternatives offer comparable or higher median earnings at a lower net price. Indiana University-Kokomo costs $3,968 (saving $4,166) with median earnings of $49,917.
What is the cheapest alternative to Indiana University-East?
The most affordable similar school is Canada College at $32, saving $8,102 compared to Indiana University-East. It has a 51% similarity score.
How do alternative schools' earnings compare?
The 15 alternatives have an average median earnings of $51,085 compared to Indiana University-East's $47,156. On average, alternatives match or exceed this school's earnings. Individual results vary, check the comparison table above.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.