by our College Data Analytics TeamUniversity Of Notre Dame ranks #1 of 50 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in Indiana ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 68% six-year graduation rate and $68,976 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Indiana, narrowing things down is no easy task. This list ranks **50** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual analyzed 50 colleges using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
University Of Notre Dame leads the 50 ranked colleges in Indiana, followed by Purdue University Main Campus (#2) and Indiana University Bloomington (#3). Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
Our analysis found University Of Notre Dame to be the best college in Indiana. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. Median early-career earnings reach $69,494. The median student debt is $19,891.
The strong outcomes at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #2 place in Indiana. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $63,111. Typical student debt is $19,844.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #3 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Indiana. Based in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $52,123. Indiana University Bloomington students take on a median of $20,542 in debt.
A rank of #4 makes Butler University one of the top colleges in Indiana. Butler University is a private not-for-profit school based in Indianapolis, IN. Butler University posts a six-year graduation rate of 79%. Students from in state pay about $47,560 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,222 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $25,351.
You'll be in good company at Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology, which ranked #5 this year. Based in Terre Haute, IN, Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. Students from in state pay about $56,046 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $83,140. Graduates carry a median of $25,148 in student loans.
Depauw University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Based in Greencastle, IN, Depauw University is a private not-for-profit institution. Depauw University graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $59,070. Depauw University graduates report median early-career earnings of $46,127. Graduates carry a median of $26,174 in student loans.
Wabash College did well this year, earning the #7 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Crawfordsville, IN. Wabash College posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. In-state tuition and fees run about $50,800. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $40,138. Wabash College students take on a median of $27,000 in debt.
Ball State University placed #8 among the best colleges in Indiana. This public school is set in Muncie, IN. Ball State University graduates 62% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Early-career graduates earn a median of $47,863. Typical student debt is $24,518.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public school based in Indianapolis, IN. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $56,930. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete a degree here.
Saint Marys College came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Saint Marys College is a private not-for-profit school based in Notre Dame, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,230. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,274 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,938 to complete a degree here.
Taylor University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Upland, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,490. Taylor University graduates report median early-career earnings of $45,090. Typical student debt is $21,832.
Valparaiso University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Valparaiso, IN, Valparaiso University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $48,450. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,987 early in their careers. The median student debt is $26,724.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Marion, IN, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. Median early-career earnings reach $53,372. The median student debt is $33,307.
University Of Evansville landed the #14 spot in Indiana this year. Set in Evansville, IN, University Of Evansville is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $44,172. Early-career graduates earn a median of $59,618. University Of Evansville students take on a median of $25,234 in debt.
Hanover College came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Set in Hanover, IN, Hanover College is a private not-for-profit institution. Hanover College graduates 67% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,698. Median early-career earnings reach $35,659. The median student debt is $26,980.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Set in Evansville, IN, University Of Southern Indiana is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. University Of Southern Indiana graduates report median early-career earnings of $47,216. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete a degree here.
Goshen College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Goshen College is a private not-for-profit school based in Goshen, IN. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $38,890 in tuition and fees. Goshen College graduates report median early-career earnings of $71,791. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete a degree here.
University Of Indianapolis placed #18 among the best colleges in Indiana. Set in Indianapolis, IN, University Of Indianapolis is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Indianapolis posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,200. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $52,298. Graduates carry a median of $26,699 in student loans.
Marian University Indiana ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Indianapolis, IN, Marian University Indiana is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,664. Marian University Indiana graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,784. Students borrow a median of $28,633 to complete a degree here.
Grace College And Theological Seminary placed #20 among the best colleges in Indiana. Based in Winona Lake, IN, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Grace College And Theological Seminary posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,645. Grace College And Theological Seminary graduates report median early-career earnings of $42,188. Grace College And Theological Seminary students take on a median of $21,211 in debt.
Indiana Wesleyan University did well this year, earning the #21 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Marion, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,352. Median early-career earnings reach $52,449. Graduates carry a median of $31,454 in student loans.
Trine University placed #22 among the best colleges in Indiana. Located in Angola, IN, Trine University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,560. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $54,881. Graduates carry a median of $25,765 in student loans.
Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus came in at #23 in this year's ranking. 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. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $47,735. The median student debt is $24,787.
Franklin College did well this year, earning the #24 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Franklin, IN. About 60% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,710. Franklin College graduates report median early-career earnings of $41,389. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete a degree here.
Manchester College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in North Manchester, IN. Manchester College posts a six-year graduation rate of 46%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,135. Manchester College graduates report median early-career earnings of $52,464. Graduates carry a median of $25,833 in student loans.
These 25 colleges rank #26 through #50 of 50 in Indiana. Not far behind, these colleges also landed in the top of this year’s ranking:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
See our data sources and methodologies.