Trine University
#3 Best Engineering Colleges in Indiana- Graduation Rate
- 66% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $57,165 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $25,355 D
- 48% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 85% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 12.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.3 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Engineering Colleges in Indiana.
Every $1 spent returns $12.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,141,256.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 40% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $12.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Trine University Matters
Trine University is a private college in Angola, IN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 2,324
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Engineering, Business & Marketing, Education, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Trine University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 85% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $25,355 a year after grants and scholarships — 48% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $57,165 ten years after enrolling — 40% above the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 28% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.53 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Trine University has an acceptance rate of 85%, making it accessible for many students. This statistic reflects the university's commitment to welcoming a diverse range of applicants. With a total enrollment of 2,324, students can expect a close-knit community where they can build lasting connections.
The earnings potential for graduates is notable, with a 10-year median salary of $57,165. This suggests that students can expect a solid return on their investment, especially considering the net price of $25,355 and median debt of $25,000. While the Pell Grant rate stands at 16%, indicating some financial support for low-income students, overall mobility and success metrics for the bottom 20% are not available.
Students at Trine thrive in hands-on programs like Engineering, Business & Marketing, and Criminal Justice. The university's focus on practical skills prepares graduates for the workforce. Those who fit well here are likely motivated, goal-oriented individuals seeking a supportive environment to advance their careers.
Rankings
- #3 Best Engineering Colleges in Indiana
- #4 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Indiana
- #13 Best Computer Science Colleges in Indiana
- #13 Best Data Science Colleges in Indiana
- #14 Best Online Colleges in Indiana
- #15 Best Education Colleges in Indiana
- #16 Best Biology Colleges in Indiana
- #20 Best Business Colleges in Indiana
Can I Get In?
How selective Trine University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Trine University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Angola, Indiana, Trine University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 85%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 25. The graduation rate is roughly 66%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 85%
- Retention Rate
- 80%
- ACT Midpoint
- 25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 22%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,043
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.31
- First-Gen Students
- 32%
- Applicants
- 3,904
- Admitted
- 3,587
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Trine University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Trine University is $36,560, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $25,355. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,661 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $36,560
- Out-of-State
- $36,560
- Avg Net Price
- $25,355
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 16%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 39%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $19,661
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $20,470
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $19,463
- Family Income $110K+
- $29,066
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Trine University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Trine University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Trine University earn a median of $57,165, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $53,010
- 8 Years
- $56,651
- 10 Years
- $57,165
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.44x
- Earning > $25K
- 72%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (250)
- 48%
- 100% (250)
- 48%
- 100% (250)
- 48%
- 100% (250)
- 48%
How Trine Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Trine University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Trine University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $25,355/year ($101,420 total). Graduates earn $57,165 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,242,676 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,141,256 (12.3× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 66% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $101,420
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,242,676
- Net Return
- $1,141,256
- ROI Multiple
- 12.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $25,355
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 66%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Trine University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Trine University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.99%, well above the typical college. About 4.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 47% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $83,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.99%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 47.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $113,719
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $450,390
- Investment Income
- $840,180
Top Programs
The fields Trine University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Engineering 29% $88,611 early-career
- Business & Marketing 17% $56,711 early-career
- Education 7% $42,420 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 6% $41,235 early-career
- Criminal Justice 5% $38,107 early-career
- Psychology 5% $34,164 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 3%
- Health Professions 3% $77,770 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Trine University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Trine University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Angola, Indiana, Trine University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 85%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 25. The graduation rate is roughly 66%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Trine University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Trine University is $36,560, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $25,355. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,661 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
Is Trine University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Trine University earn a median of $57,165, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Trine University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Trine University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.99%, well above the typical college. About 4.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 47% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $83,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Trine University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Trine University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.53, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Trine University.
- Saint Edward's UniversityAustin, TX · Close peer63% grad $58,826 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Marian UniversityIndianapolis, IN · Close peer64% grad $58,759 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionMarion, IN · Close peer67% grad $59,986 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham CampusMadison, NJ · Close peer70% grad $57,273 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Arcadia UniversityGlenside, PA · Close peer65% grad $58,336 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The University of FindlayFindlay, OH · Close peer60% grad $56,996 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Trine University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Trine University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.53, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note