2026 Best Colleges for the Money (No Aid) in Indiana
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Indiana? We have ranked 41 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 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 41 schools to build this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
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Your Choice of School Matters
Our analysis looked at 41 schools in Indiana to surface the strongest return on investment. We focus on objective measures, not subjective opinion.
What We Measure
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.
Customize Your Rankings
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:
Top 25 Best Colleges for the Money in Indiana
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Leading the list is Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, our #1 best value in Indiana. 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%.
Out of the 41 schools in Indiana in this year's value ranking, Indiana University Kokomo landed the #2 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.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #3 on this year's best-value ranking in Indiana. 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 41 schools in Indiana in this year's value ranking, Ivy Tech Community College landed the #4 spot. 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 came in at #5 on this year's best-value ranking 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%.
Purdue University Northwest landed the #6 spot for value in Indiana this year. 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.
Indiana University Northwest offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. 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.
Indiana University South Bend placed #8 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.
Vincennes University offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. 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.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. 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 Bloomington ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. 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%.
Indiana University East ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. 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.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #13 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 State University landed the #14 spot for value in Indiana this year. 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%.
Huntington University placed #15 among the best values in Indiana. Huntington University is a private not-for-profit school based in Huntington, IN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,870. Typical student debt is $28,332. Median earnings reach $46,672 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $28,332 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Oakland City University offered strong value this year, earning the #16 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.
Purdue University Global offered strong value this year, earning the #17 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.
Ball State University offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. 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.
Goshen College ranked #19 on our 2026 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.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. 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. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global students take on a median of $32,807 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,986. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grace College And Theological Seminary landed the #21 spot for value in Indiana this year. Set in Winona Lake, IN, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,645. Graduates carry a median of $21,211 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,411. That is a strong return on a $21,211 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Indianapolis ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Indianapolis, IN, University Of Indianapolis is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,200. University Of Indianapolis students take on a median of $26,699 in debt. University Of Indianapolis alumni report median earnings of $53,610 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Indianapolis has an acceptance rate of 66%.
Martin University offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Indianapolis, IN. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,200. Martin University alumni report median earnings of $22,544 a decade after entry.
University Of Evansville placed #24 among the best values in Indiana. 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.
Manchester College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in North Manchester, IN, Manchester College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,135 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,833 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,504. That is a strong return on a $25,833 median debt. Manchester College admits about 71% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Schools in Indiana
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
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Notes and References
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 ranked schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
