State 64 Colleges 16 Public 11 Community

Colleges in Indiana

Ranked, compared, and filtered by real data: costs, outcomes, and admissions

About Indiana

Purdue's engineering and pharmacy programs have made it a consistent destination for students who want a major research university experience without the sticker shock of elite private tuition.

Indiana University in Bloomington balances that with a strong medical school, one of the country's better music programs, and a law school with national reach. Two genuinely different flagship universities sharing a state give Indiana students more choices than the state's size might suggest.

Indiana

By Ownership

Public 16
Nonprofit 37
For-Profit 11

By Type

4-Year 53
2-Year 11

Why Study in Indiana?

PROS
  • Frank O'Bannon & 21st Century Scholars Frank O'Bannon Grant and 21st Century Scholars program assist income-qualifying Indiana students.
  • Nationally competitive engineering Purdue engineering programs rank nationally at a public university price — a genuinely strong combination.
  • Indianapolis life sciences sector Life sciences and technology sectors in Indianapolis create strong STEM career demand for graduates.
  • Low cost of living Cost of living is among the lowest in the Midwest, stretching student and graduate budgets further.
CONS
  • Rural internship barriers Rural geography limits internship and networking opportunities at regional campuses outside Indianapolis and Bloomington.
  • Below-average per-capita investment The state invests less per capita in higher education than many comparable Midwestern states.
  • Brain drain to larger cities Brain drain toward Chicago and Columbus is common among Indiana graduates in professional and knowledge-economy fields.

How Indiana Compares

See how Indiana's colleges compare to the national average on the four measures most students and families weigh when deciding where to go: cost, acceptance rates, graduate earnings, and graduation rates.

Avg Net Price / yr $19,905 ↑ $2,084 above national National avg: $17,821/yr
Avg Acceptance Rate 77.9% ↑ 5.4% above national National avg: 72.5%
Median Earnings (10yr) $53,307 ↑ $5,118 above national National avg: $48,189
Avg Graduation Rate 52.9% ↑ 7.1% above national National avg: 45.8%

Acceptance Rate Trend (2019–2023) Rising  ↑ 7.0 pts since 2019

Top Colleges in Indiana

The colleges in Indiana that rank highest by UCD Score, and those that deliver above-national graduate earnings at a below-average net price, two of the strongest signals when choosing a school.

Highest UCD Score

Goshen Strong

Goshen College

$14,493 Net price $51,943 Earnings 10yr

Best Value Colleges

Best Colleges by Goal

Not every student is looking for the same thing. These six panels rank Indiana's colleges by the data that matters most for each path.

Nursing & Health

Ranked by annual graduates

  1. 1 $37,186
  2. 2 $36,596
  3. 3 $55,198

Engineering

Ranked by annual graduates

  1. 1 $72,424
  2. 2 $99,980
  3. 3 $55,198

Business

Ranked by annual graduates

  1. 1 $63,742
  2. 2 $36,596
  3. 3 $37,186

Most Affordable

Ranked by net price

  1. 1 $3,968
  2. 2 $5,130
  3. 3 $6,079

Community Colleges

Ranked by enrollment

  1. 1 $7,258
  2. 2 $26,182
  3. 3 $28,371

Highest Earnings

Ranked by grad earnings

  1. 1 $101,253
  2. 2 $99,980
  3. 3 $92,405

Career Outcomes & ROI

Which colleges give you the most for what you spend? These eight schools rank highest in Indiana by the ratio of 10-year graduate earnings to annual net price.

# College Net Price / yr Earnings (10yr) Ratio Rating
1 Indiana University-Kokomo Kokomo $3,968 $49,917 12.6× Excellent
2 Indiana University-Northwest Gary $5,130 $43,361 8.5× Excellent
3 Purdue University Northwest Hammond $6,079 $48,318 8.0× Excellent
4 Indiana University-Southeast New Albany $7,888 $47,596 6.0× Excellent
5 Indiana University-East Richmond $8,134 $47,156 5.8× Excellent
6 Chamberlain University-Indiana Indianapolis $16,149 $92,405 5.7× Excellent
7 Indiana University-South Bend South Bend $8,653 $44,947 5.2× Excellent
8 Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis $7,258 $37,186 5.1× Excellent

ROI Ratio = median earnings 10 years after enrollment ÷ annual net price. Higher is better.

Popular Majors in Indiana

The six fields of study with the most annual graduates across all colleges in Indiana, based on IPEDS completion data.

HEALTH +9.0% Avg Growth · BLS

Health

3,924 Colleges 26 Specializations
BUSINESS +4.7% Avg Growth · BLS

Business

3,021 Colleges 22 Specializations
HUMANITIES +1.8% Avg Growth · BLS

Liberal Arts

2,214 Colleges 1 Specializations
STEM +10.0% Avg Growth · BLS

Computer Science

2,632 Colleges 11 Specializations
STEM +4.0% Avg Growth · BLS

Engineering

1,297 Colleges 41 Specializations

Top Programs in Indiana

The specific degree programs producing the most graduates across Indiana's colleges. A more granular view than the Popular Majors above, useful when you already know roughly what you want to study and want to see where the volume is.

Program Colleges Grads/yr Earnings · 4yr
Liberal Arts 40.0 10,147.0 $53,072
Business Administration 44.0 8,326.0 $68,257
Nursing 33.0 6,892.0 $88,910
Business 23.0 5,887.0 $68,407
Medical Assisting 14.0 2,778.0 $68,559
Teacher Education (K-12) 40.0 2,596.0 $47,382
Practical Nursing 2.0 2,528.0 $39,305
Health Administration 23.0 2,274.0 $58,716

Top Careers in Indiana

Careers with a strong employment footprint in Indiana. What graduates from local colleges actually go on to do. State-level employment is shown where the BLS publishes it; national wage + growth shown alongside.

Obstetricians and Gynecologists Doctoral or professional degree · 660.0 jobs in IN
$200,300 ↗ 1.2% growth
Bioengineer / Biomedical Engineer Bachelor's degree · 970.0 jobs in IN
$105,750 ↗ 5.2% growth
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners Postsecondary nondegree award · 840.0 jobs in IN
$50,910 ↘ -0.3% growth
Tool and Die Makers Postsecondary nondegree award · 3,580.0 jobs in IN
$63,590 ↘ -10.8% growth
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians High school diploma or equivalent · 1,650.0 jobs in IN
$58,440 ↗ 8.5% growth
Machinists High school diploma or equivalent · 16,510.0 jobs in IN
$48,910 ↗ 0.0% growth
Motorcycle Mechanics Postsecondary nondegree award · 540.0 jobs in IN
$43,920 ↗ 5.3% growth
Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers High school diploma or equivalent · 750.0 jobs in IN
$55,540 ↘ -13.6% growth

Colleges by City in Indiana

The cities in Indiana with the most colleges, ranked by number of institutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many colleges are in Indiana?
Indiana has 64 accredited colleges and universities: 16 public, 37 private nonprofit, 11 for-profit. Of those, 11 are two-year community or technical colleges.
What does it actually cost to go to college in Indiana?
The average net price across Indiana colleges is $19,905 per year. That's what students pay after grants and scholarships, not the sticker tuition. That's $2,084 above the national average of $17,821, so expect higher out-of-pocket costs unless you land strong aid. This figure blends public and private schools together; public in-state tuition usually runs lower, while private college costs swing widely based on each school's aid policy.
How hard is it to get into college in Indiana?
The average acceptance rate across Indiana colleges is 77.9%. That's higher than the national average of 72.5%. Most Indiana schools admit the majority of applicants. That's a blended average. Open-enrollment community colleges accept all applicants, while flagship universities and selective private schools admit far fewer. Difficulty varies more by program than by state.
How much do Indiana college graduates earn?
Ten years after first enrolling, the typical graduate from a Indiana college earns $53,307 per year. That's $5,118 above the national median of $48,189, a strong outcome relative to most states. Earnings split sharply by field. Healthcare, engineering, and technology programs sit well above this median, while graduates in education, social work, and the arts often land below it.
Is going to college in Indiana worth it financially?
Looking at net price versus 10-year graduate earnings, Indiana colleges produce a solid return, with graduates earning roughly2.7× the annual cost of attendance within a decade. Graduates on average recoup the annual net price more than twice over in yearly earnings. The Career Outcomes section above ranks individual schools; the spread between the best and worst-value colleges in Indiana is wide enough that school choice matters more than the state average.
Does Indiana have community colleges?
Yes. Indiana has 11 two-year colleges, including community colleges, technical institutes, and workforce training schools. These institutions carry the lowest net prices in the state and serve students pursuing associate degrees, transfer credits toward a four-year degree, or workforce credentials in fields like healthcare, IT, and the trades. Starting at a community college and transferring is a common and cost-effective path in Indiana.
What percentage of students graduate from Indiana colleges?
On average, 52.9% of students who enroll at Indiana colleges finish their degree within six years. That's 7.1 percentage points above the national average. Indiana students complete at a higher rate than most states. This varies considerably by institution. Selective four-year universities graduate a much higher share than open-enrollment schools, where part-time enrollment and work commitments affect completion timelines. Always look at a specific school's six-year rate, not the state average.
Where are the best nursing programs in Indiana?
Ranked by annual nursing and health program graduates, the top nursing schools in Indiana are Ivy Tech Community College, Purdue University Global and Indiana University-Indianapolis. These rankings use IPEDS completions data for CIP 51 (health professions), schools that produce the largest number of graduates per year. Availability varies by credential level; confirm whether a school offers BSN, ADN, or graduate nursing tracks before applying.
What is the cheapest college in Indiana?
Indiana University-Kokomo is the most affordable college in Indiana by net price at $3,968 per year. Net price is what students pay after grants and scholarships. The actual cost for lower-income students can be significantly less. Community colleges and public schools dominate the low-cost end, though some private colleges with strong aid programs compete on net price despite higher sticker tuitions.
What are the most popular majors at colleges in Indiana?
The most-completed fields of study across Indiana colleges are Health, Business, Liberal Arts and Education, based on IPEDS degree completion records. High completion numbers reflect both student demand and how many schools offer the program. Larger public universities drive a lot of the volume. If you're choosing a major based on earnings potential, look at the career outcomes for each field rather than how many students study it.

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