by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Indiana? We have ranked 89 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology. You are viewing our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — use Customize Your Rankings below to narrow the list.
So you can compare your options, College Factual reviewed 89 schools to build this 2027 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
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Our analysis looked at 89 schools in Indiana to surface the strongest return on investment. We focus on objective measures, not subjective opinion.
To determine a school’s value, we first add up average tuition, fees, and room and board — the published sticker price before any financial aid (the No Aid view). Cost alone isn’t enough — overall quality matters too. We then balance cost against student outcomes — completion, resources, and earnings after graduation.
The schools that score best offer the strongest return on your investment. View our full ranking methodology.
The best value for you depends on what and where you want to study. Refine the list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Or choose a degree level:
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Purdue University Northwest earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Indiana. Located in Hammond, IN, Purdue University Northwest is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $25,083. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,318 ten years after entry. Set against $25,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 72% of those who apply are admitted.
Out of the 89 schools in Indiana in this year's value ranking, Purdue University Main Campus landed the #2 spot. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $72,424. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 50% of those who apply are admitted.
Out of the 89 schools in Indiana in this year's value ranking, Indiana University Kokomo landed the #3 spot. Located in Kokomo, IN, Indiana University Kokomo is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
You'll get strong value at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, which ranked #4 this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public school based in Indianapolis, IN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis has an acceptance rate of 76%.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #5 on this year's best-value ranking in Indiana. Based in Indianapolis, IN, Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Median earnings reach $37,186 ten years out. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Southeast placed #6 among the best values in Indiana. Set in New Albany, IN, Indiana University Southeast is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $23,981. Indiana University Southeast alumni report median earnings of $47,596 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Indiana State University is a public school based in Terre Haute, IN. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,582 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana State University has an acceptance rate of 81%.
Indiana University Northwest came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Based in Gary, IN, Indiana University Northwest is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. The median program debt is $26,434. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,361 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,434 median debt. About 73% of those who apply are admitted.
University Of Southern Indiana placed #9 among the best values in Indiana. Based in Evansville, IN, University Of Southern Indiana is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Typical student debt is $21,999. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,605. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University East placed #10 among the best values in Indiana. Indiana University East is a public school based in Richmond, IN. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt is $24,098. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,156 ten years after entry. Set against $24,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Global offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Set in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Global is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $36,778. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,596. That is a strong return on a $36,778 median debt.
Vincennes University came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Vincennes, IN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Typical student debt is $14,506. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,110. Set against $14,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University South Bend placed #13 among the best values in Indiana. Indiana University South Bend is a public school based in South Bend, IN. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,640 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,947 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 84% of those who apply are admitted.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #14 among the best values in Indiana. Set in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,742 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington has an acceptance rate of 78%.
Goshen College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. This private not-for-profit school is set in Goshen, IN. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,890. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,943. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Muncie, IN, Ball State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans. Ball State University alumni report median earnings of $51,833 a decade after entry. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 86% of those who apply are admitted.
Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus landed the #17 spot for value in Indiana this year. Based in Angola, IN, Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $7,176 in tuition and fees. Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus students take on a median of $24,787 in debt. Median earnings reach $57,165 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus admits about 40% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #18 among the best values in Indiana. Located in Fort Wayne, IN, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Typical student debt is $24,119. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a private not-for-profit school based in Marion, IN. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. The median program debt is $33,307. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,986. That is a strong return on a $33,307 median debt.
Oakland City University offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Oakland City, IN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,900. Graduates carry a median of $25,266 in student loans. Oakland City University alumni report median earnings of $43,283 a decade after entry. Set against $25,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland City University admits about 82% of applicants.
Chamberlain University Indiana came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Based in Indianapolis, IN, Chamberlain University Indiana is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,680. The median program debt is $39,146. Graduates go on to earn a median of $92,405 ten years after entry. Set against $39,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Valparaiso University placed #22 among the best values in Indiana. Set in Valparaiso, IN, Valparaiso University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,450. Typical student debt is $26,724. Median earnings reach $63,191 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,724 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Evansville landed the #23 spot for value in Indiana this year. Based in Evansville, IN, University Of Evansville is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,172. University Of Evansville students take on a median of $25,234 in debt. Median earnings reach $53,770 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,234 median debt. University Of Evansville admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne landed the #24 spot for value in Indiana this year. University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a private not-for-profit school based in Fort Wayne, IN. Students from in state pay about $36,460 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,520 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,362. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 96% of those who apply are admitted.
Bethel College Mishawaka landed the #25 spot for value in Indiana this year. Bethel College Mishawaka is a private not-for-profit school based in Mishawaka, IN. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,600. The median program debt is $31,824. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,860 ten years after entry. Set against $31,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bethel College Mishawaka has an acceptance rate of 98%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 89 ranked schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 89 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.