Home to over 60 universities and colleges, Indiana has continually worked hard to improve its educational capacity in recent years. Lumina Foundation says that the state plans to increase the number of college-educated adults to 60 percent by 2025. The best universities in Indiana are already among the top national universities and offer a great educational experience.
This article discusses some of the best universities in Indiana, including the University of Notre Dame and Purdue University. It includes a list of the top 10 universities in Indiana and provides details about their academic programs, campus life, and admission policies. Read on to learn more about the most prestigious universities in Indiana and why a college education can benefit your career preparation.
How We Defined Indiana University Rankings
Several of Indiana’s universities rank among the largest colleges in the US, but the state also has hundreds of outstanding mid-sized colleges and small liberal arts schools. All the colleges on this list have significant average student numbers and hundreds of graduate students. They also have excellent graduation rates and place highly on national school rankings.
Indiana Universities Ranked: Top 10 Universities in Indiana
- University of Notre Dame
- Indiana University – Bloomington
- Ball State University
- Purdue University – West Lafayette
- Hanover College
- Earlham College
- Valparaiso University
- Wabash College
- DePauw University
- University of Indianapolis
The Best Colleges and Universities in Indiana, Explained
Students can undertake an undergraduate program, graduate study, or doctoral programs in many of Indiana’s institutions. Most universities in the state also offer online programs and asynchronous programs, and many have affiliations with Christian denominations, offering religious studies programs for Christian students.
To help you with your college selection process, the following section outlines the assortment of study programs at these schools. Most of this information in this section is available on the official websites of the universities and in the US News & World Report College Rankings.
1. University of Notre Dame
- US News National Ranking: #19
- Campus Location(s): South Bend, Indiana
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 8,874
- Graduation Rate: 93%
All freshmen must live onsite in residence halls on this university’s beautiful campus. The school has several doctoral programs and undergraduate degrees, such as those at the School of Architecture for architecture students. It also has over 20 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA Division) teams and is top-ranked by US News & World Report.
2. Indiana University – Bloomington
- US News National Ranking: #68
- Campus Location(s): Bloomington, Indiana
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 32,986
- Graduation Rate: 69%
Popular programs at this university include business management and health sciences. There are dozens of majors and career preparation services available to its students. Students also have access to financial aid, additional study opportunities, and student services, including non-remedial tutoring and health insurance.
3. Ball State University
- US News National Ranking: #202
- Campus Location(s): Muncie, Indiana
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,780
- Graduation Rate: 54%
The average freshman retention rate at this college is 78 percent, and 66 percent of full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid. Students can enjoy an active social life with over 350 campus organizations and try out for the varsity teams that compete in the NCAA Division I.
The school offers dozens of majors in graduate degree programs and over 180 undergraduate majors, including an academic major in entrepreneurship learning. With a small average class size of only 22 students, this is a great university for people who want a personalize learning experience.
4. Purdue University – West Lafayette
- US News National Ranking: #49
- Campus Location(s): West Lafayette, Indiana
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 34,920
- Graduation Rate: 60%
This university comprises 13 schools and colleges, many of which offer undergraduate and graduate programs. These academic programs are from the Krannert School of Management and College of Education. The West Lafayette campus is the main campus in the Purdue University system, and students here can pursue business majors or environmental science degrees.
5. Hanover College
- US News National Ranking: #98 (National Liberal Arts Colleges)
- Campus Location(s): Hanover, Indiana
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,028
- Graduation Rate: 71%
This institution is a leading Christian college in the US and is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. It is a selective private college and offers admission to candidates with an SAT score between 1060 and 1230 or an ACT score between 23 and 29. Annual tuition is over $40,000, and the school offers student services such as placement services and health insurance.
6. Earlham College
- US News National Ranking: #92 (National Liberal Arts Colleges)
- Campus Location(s): Richmond, Indiana
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 915
- Graduation Rate: 58%
This private college has affiliations with the Quakers, and its academic catalog includes degrees in business administration, health sciences, and civil engineering. It offers over 40 undergraduate majors and master’s degree programs in public health, education, and religion. Many partner programs and career resources cater to students across all disciplines.
7. Valparaiso University
- US News National Ranking: #172
- Campus Location(s): Valparaiso, Indiana
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,723
- Graduation Rate: 56%
This private college has strong ties to the Lutheran Church, and moral instruction is a significant part of its philosophy. It has a student-faculty ratio of 11 to one, and some of its most popular majors are business administration, health sciences, marketing, and social sciences.
It offers a diverse academic experience and boasts over 70 certificate programs, undergraduate degrees, and doctoral programs. There are several student organizations, fraternities, and sororities on campus.
8. Wabash College
- US News National Ranking: #57 (National Liberal Arts Colleges)
- Campus Location(s): Crawfordsville, Indiana
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 868
- Graduation Rate: 72%
This liberal arts institution has a beautiful campus, excellent programs, and a student population of fewer than 1,000. Students can choose to stay in one the eight residence halls or in fraternity housing. This school offers a beautiful liberal arts college experience, is home to over 60 campus organizations, and has a thriving campus life.
9. DePauw University
- US News National Ranking: #46 (National Liberal Arts Colleges)
- Campus Location(s): Greencastle
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,752
- Graduation Rate: 85%
The school runs several partner programs to assist students with academic internships and financial aid. It also has a relatively relaxed educational policy, and an acceptance rate of nearly 70% ranks it among the least selective schools in the US. It boasts an academic quality that develops leadership skills and critical thinking, which are instrumental in the real world.
10. University of Indianapolis
- US News National Ranking: #239
- Campus Location(s): Indianapolis
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,168
- Graduation Rate: 51%
This university provides numerous programs at different academic levels, including a wide selection of graduate programs, online programs, and undergraduate majors in nursing, public health, banking and financial services, psychology, and sports administration. According to the US News & World Report, academic tuition scholarships are available to qualified students, and nearly 78 percent of undergraduates receive financial aid.
Is a University in Indiana Right for You?
Yes. Whether you’re looking for beautiful college campuses, accomplished professors, exciting athletic programs, or a vibrant social life, your school search should include one of Indiana’s top universities. The average class size and class experience at these colleges are unmatched among comparable institutions.
Furthermore, it has various study options and programs for students, including Asian studies, British studies, African American studies, and other classical studies. Completing an academic program at an institution like University of Notre Dame or Purdue University is an excellent start on your chosen career path.
Getting a college education at an Indiana university can also help you build your career by networking, participating in community events, and using the university’s career services. Alternatively, you can attend a coding bootcamp to learn career skills and explore various career options.
Best Universities in Indiana FAQ
Several private colleges and public universities offer academic scholarships to first-year students. Institutions like Goshen College, Huntington University, and Indiana University also provide other financial aid tools like grants and loans.
According to the US News & World Report school rankings, Purdue University – Fort Wayne has an acceptance rate of 83 percent. Indiana University-East has a slightly lower acceptance rate of 67 percent. The average student these schools admit has an SAT score between 980 and 1180 or an ACT score of 19 and 25.
Yes, they are. Many universities in Indiana have immigrant student assistance programs, as well as diversity and inclusion policies and initiatives. These colleges provide some of the best-value-for-cost education to immigrants, and they actively recruit a diverse international student population.
Indiana Wesleyan University, Marian University, Trine University, and Oakland City University offer excellent online programs and various study options. These programs are in biomedical engineering, social sciences, analytical sciences, and the health sciences.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
