Best Colleges in Indiana (2023 Rankings)

If you're considering going to college in Indiana, then you'll find no shortage of excellent schools to choose from! Whether you're eyeing a Big Ten Conference school or looking for a smaller campus where everybody knows your name, we've got you covered with our picks for the top colleges in Indiana (in no particular order).

We'll introduce you to schools of all sizes and fill you in on what each has to offer. You'll even find a selection of our favorite runner-up schools along the way!

University of Notre Dame

Tuition: $57,699

Fast facts:

• Number of undergraduate students: 8,874 
• Acceptance rate: 19% 
• Graduation rate: 93% (4-year), 97% (6-year)

The University of Notre Dame is a prestigious private Catholic university that's set on a 1,250-acre campus with stunning collegiate Gothic architecture. Widely known as the home of the Fighting Irish sports teams, Notre Dame's athletics are just as on point as its academic programs.

Students lucky enough to get accepted enjoy their choice of 75 different majors or pre-professional degrees in Law, Architecture, and Business.

You might also like: Ball State University, Muncie

Purdue University, West Lafayette

In-state tuition: $9,992

Out-of-state tuition: $28,794

Fast facts:

• Number of undergraduate students: 35,706
• Acceptance rate: 67%
• Graduation rate: 60% (4-year), 83% (6-year)

While you'll find the main campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, the college also has extension campuses in Fort Wayne, Hammond, and Westville. As a large public university, Purdue has you covered whether you want to study Crop Science, Computer Science, or any of the other more than 200 undergraduate majors available.

Find your crew amid the large student population by joining one of Purdue's over 1,000 clubs and organizations. Whether you're cheering on the Purdue Boilermakers or attending one of the school's many events, you'll never be bored here.

You might also like: University Of Southern Indiana, Evansville

Indiana University Bloomington

In-state tuition: $11,221

Out-of-state tuition: $37,600

Fast facts:

• Number of undergraduate students: 32,986
• Acceptance rate: 80%
• Graduation rate: 69% (4-year), 80% (6-year)

If you're a Hoosier fan, then you likely recognize Bloomington as the flagship campus of Indiana University (IU). While you'll also find extension campuses in Fort Wayne, South Bend, Kokomo, and beyond, Bloomington was where IU was first founded back in 1820.

Hoosier sports are kind of a big deal at IU, so you'll feel right at home whether you're an athlete or just love cheering alongside thousands of other cream- and crimson-wearing fans. But IU Bloomington is no slouch in the higher education department, with over 200 majors, nearly 400 study abroad programs, and over 750 student clubs.

You might also like: University of Evansville, Evansville

Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis

In-state tuition: $9,944

Out-of-state tuition: $31,626

Fast facts:

• Number of undergraduate students: 20,966
• Acceptance rate: 79%
• Graduation rate: 33% (4-year), 52% (6-year)

If you can't choose between Purdue University and Indiana University, then check out IUPUI, an epic combination of both. Back in the 1960s, the top colleges decided to combine their powers to form the state's top urban research university.

Now offering over 550 degrees and majors, no matter what you're interested in, IUPUI almost certainly has a program for it. Whether you want to earn an associate's or bachelor's degree or pursue a master's degree or doctorate, check out IUPUI's massive course catalog.

You might also like: Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion

Rose-Hulman Institute Of Technology, Terre Haute

Tuition: $52,914

Fast facts:

• Number of undergraduate students: 1,972
• Acceptance rate: 77%
• Graduation rate: 75% (4-year), 83% (6-year)

If STEM skills are your thing, then be sure to check out Rose-Hulman, a small private school that's renowned for its engineering program. You'll enjoy an impressive 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio on a campus where 99% of full-time faculty hold PhDs.

Choose from over 20 majors, over 40 minors, and pre-professional programs in Law, Business, and Medicine. You'll also find a thriving Greek scene on campus, not to mention over 90 different clubs dedicated to everything from improv to volunteering.

You might also like: Goshen College, Goshen

Butler University, Indianapolis

Tuition: $43,400

Fast facts:

• Number of undergraduate students: 4,492
• Acceptance rate: 76%
• Graduation rate: 73% (4-year), 82% (6-year)

Butler University is a mid-sized private college that consistently ranks among the best regional schools in the Midwest. With a full range of more than 85 degree options ranging from the performing arts to STEM, Butler blends the best of a tight-knit student body with a major metro location.

Butler is all about hands-on learning, so 75% of students end up completing an internship and 99% find jobs or grad school placements within six months of graduating. Between their over 140 student organizations, 15 Greek chapters, and a full roster of Butler Bulldogs sports teams, Butler is one place you'll have no problem making new friends.

You might also like: Franklin College, Franklin

Taylor University, Upland

Tuition: $36,800

Fast facts:

• Number of undergraduate students: 2,076
• Acceptance rate: 70%
• Graduation rate: 72% (4-year), 78% (6-year)

Taylor University is a private Christian liberal arts college in Upland, around 70 miles north of Indianapolis. Taylor offers over 90 undergraduate majors and minors, including popular favorites like Business, Education, Art, and Film/Media.

While Upland may not be a huge city, Taylor offers plenty of student activities and clubs to keep things fun. If you're looking for a small, faith-based college with an excellent graduation rate, then Taylor is worth checking out.

You might also like: Earlham College, Richmond

DePauw University, Greencastle

Tuition: $52,710

Fast facts:

• Number of undergraduate students: 1,752
• Acceptance rate: 68%
• Graduation rate: 85% (4-year), 87% (6-year)

Tucked away in the small town of Greencastle, DePauw University is a small private liberal arts college with an impressive graduation rate. Students enjoy a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, a beautiful 695-acre campus, and over 200 student clubs and organizations.

DePauw also offers both internships and research opportunities for students who are looking to gain real-world experiences along the road to higher education. If you're looking for a small student population and a next-level learning environment, DePauw is well worth a look.

You might also like: Hanover College, Hanover

Marian University, Indianapolis

Tuition: $36,000

Fast facts:

• Number of undergraduate students: 2,566
• Acceptance rate: 64%
• Graduation rate: 47% (4-year), 60% (6-year)

If you're into sports, then check out Marian University: a private Catholic college in Indianapolis where 41% of the student population is made up of student-athletes. Whether you decide to join one of Marian's Knight's sports teams or just a solid intramural sports team, Marian is a great option.

Marian's list of academic programs is impressively comprehensive, with nearly 40 undergraduate majors and a solid set of graduate and doctoral degrees. The college also offers a number of pre-professional programs, including Medicine, Dentistry, and Optometry.

You might also like: Wabash College, Crawfordsville (all-men) or Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame (all-women)

Valparaiso University

Tuition: $43,286

Fast facts:

• Number of undergraduate students: 2,723
• Acceptance rate: 87%
• Graduation rate: 56% (4-year), 66% (6-year)

Valparaiso University is a private Lutheran college in northwest Indiana that offers 70 different programs for undergraduate students. Some of the most popular majors tend to be Nursing, Education, Engineering, and Marketing.

With an average class size of 20, Valparasiso encourages student research and offers awesome internship placements at Paramount, IBM, NASA, and more. Get involved with over 100 student organizations, 17 Greek chapters, or the school's NCAA Division I sports teams.

You might also like: Manchester University, North Manchester

Indiana colleges FAQ

What is the number one best college in Indiana?

While the University of Notre Dame is among the most prestigious, Purdue, IU Bloomington, and IUPUI are all highly rated as well.

Is Purdue a better college than Notre Dame?

It depends on who you ask! Given the epic rivalry between the two schools, you'll find no shortage of different answers throughout the state. While Notre Dame tends to rank slightly better in terms of academics, Purdue is also a highly respected university.

What are the best liberal arts colleges in Indiana?

Check out DePauw and Taylor University. These schools not only offer high-ranking academics but often offer smaller class sizes and more individual attention.

Find the perfect Indiana school with College Rover

At College Rover, we understand that there's no such thing as a "one-size-fits-all" college or university. That's why we offer user-friendly search tools to help you find and filter colleges based on your unique needs and preferences. Because finding the perfect college means finding the perfect college for you.

College Rover gets the majority of its data directly from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The DOE publishing schedule "lags" the most current data which some colleges post on their official websites. This may cause there to be a difference in the data you see on College Rover and an individual college website. College Rover's website is updated as the DOE data becomes available and is configured for the College Rover website.