The 10 Cheapest Colleges in Indiana
What’s Covered:
- The 10 Cheapest Colleges in Indiana
- Tips for Saving Money on College
- How Much Will College Cost Your Family?
The average cost of college has risen about 7% annually since 2000, and 81% of parents and students have eliminated a college from consideration due to its price. While costs continue to climb, affordable options still exist—like these 10 cheapest colleges in Indiana.
The 10 Cheapest Colleges in Indiana
1. Vincennes University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $7,126/$16,858
Location: Vincennes, IN
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Undergrad Enrollment: 18,438
Vincennes University has the distinction of being Indiana’s first college—it was founded in 1801, before Indiana had even achieved statehood. Vincennes University offers eight bachelor’s degree programs and more than 150 associate degree programs through its six colleges:
- College of Business and Public Service
- College of Health Sciences and Human Performance
- College of Humanities
- College of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics
- College of Social Science, Performing Arts, and Communication
- College of Technology
Learn more about Vincennes University and what it takes to get accepted.
2. Indiana University-South Bend | IU South Bend
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $8,424/$22,811
Location: South Bend, IN
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,446
IU South Bend is the oldest and largest regional campus of the Indiana University System. IU South Bend offers nearly 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its seven schools:
- School of Natural Sciences
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Ernestine M. Raclin School of the Arts
- Judd Leighton School of Business & Economics
- School of Education
- Vera Z. Dwyer School of Health Sciences
- School of Social Work
South Bend is also rife with opportunities outside of the classroom—the university is home to more than 70 student clubs and organizations.
Learn more about Indiana University-South Bend and what it takes to get accepted.
3. Indiana University-Southeast | IU Southeast
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $8,424/$22,811
Location: New Albany, IN
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,286
Located in suburban New Albany, IU Southeast is just six miles from Louisville, Kentucky, providing students with a variety of employment opportunities along with easy access to numerous cultural events and attractions.
It wasn’t until the late 2000s that IU Southeast built its first residence halls, but today they consistently rank among the best in the nation. Student involvement is high, with more than 65 student groups and organizations on campus.
Learn more about Indiana University-Southeast and what it takes to get accepted.
4. Indiana University Northwest | IU Northwest
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $8,424/$22,811
Location: Gary, IN
Acceptance Rate: 77%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,787
IU Northwest offers small-school charm with easy access to the big city—its compact 43-acre campus is just 30 miles outside of Chicago. IU Northwest is one of the most diverse schools in Indiana; roughly half of the student body is minority students and approximately 42% are first-generation college students.
IU Northwest is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution—a label given to schools where Hispanic and Latino students make up at least a quarter of the full-time undergraduate population.
Learn more about Indiana University Northwest and what it takes to get accepted.
5. Purdue University Northwest
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $8,675/$16,094
Location: Hammond, IN
Acceptance Rate: 71%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,902
Purdue University Northwest (PNW) offers students a blend of city life and nature—the main campus is just 30 miles from Chicago, while its rural Westville campus is just 15 miles from Indiana Dunes National Park and Lake Michigan.
PNW is home to more than 70 areas of study through its six colleges:
- College of Business
- College of Engineering and Sciences
- College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences
- College of Nursing
- College of Technology
- Honors College
Students from 37 states and 60 countries attend PNW.
Learn more about Purdue University Northwest and what it takes to get accepted.
6. Purdue University Fort Wayne
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $9,532/$22,887
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 8,110
Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) is known for its mastodon mascot, the only mastodon mascot in the nation. The school’s unique mascot is traced back to the discovery of a mastodon skeleton in Angola, Indiana, by its chair of the Department of Geology shortly after the university was founded. Mastodons roamed the southern Great Lakes region more than 10,000 years ago.
Today, PFW offers more than 200 programs, ranging from actuarial science to women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, through its six colleges and schools:
- College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science
- College of Liberal Arts
- College of Science
- College of Visual and Performing Arts
- Doermer School of Business
- School of Education
Learn more about Purdue University Fort Wayne and what it takes to get accepted.
7. Purdue University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $9,992/$28,794
Location: West Lafayette, IN
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 39,864
Purdue University is the largest college in Indiana and one of the largest colleges in the nation. You could say Purdue students have their heads in the clouds—it’s home to the nation’s first university-owned-and-operated airport (now the second-busiest airport in Indiana) in the country, was the first university to offer a four-year bachelor’s degree in aviation, and the famous pilot Amelia Earhart was once a part-time staff member.
Purdue has been called the “Cradle of Astronauts,” and both the first and last people to walk on the moon are Purdue alumni.
Learn more about Purdue University and what it takes to get accepted.
8. Purdue University in Indianapolis
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $9,992/$28,794
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Acceptance Rate: N/A
Undergraduate Enrollment: N/A
Formerly known as the University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Purdue University in Indianapolis is an extension of Purdue’s flagship West Lafayette campus. Its location in Indiana’s capital and largest city provides students with access to numerous experiential learning opportunities, including internships.
Purdue University predominantly offers a STEM-focused curriculum, with notable and unique programs such as motorsports engineering and themed entertainment design.
Learn more about Purdue University in Indianapolis and what it takes to get accepted.
9. University of Southern Indiana | USI
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $10,066/$22,907
Location: Evansville, IN
Acceptance Rate: 95%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,428
USI’s gorgeous 1,400-acre campus is located on the Ohio River and serves as a center for a tri-state region that includes Illinois and Kentucky. USI is an easy drive from major cities like Indianapolis, Louisville, Nashville, and St. Louis. The university offers more than 130 areas of study through its five colleges:
- College of Liberal Arts
- Romain College of Business
- Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions
- Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education
- School of Graduate Studies.
USI is a Carnegie Foundation Community Engaged University, a designation given to schools committed to fulfilling their social responsibilities through community engagement and service.
Learn more about the University of Southern Indiana and what it takes to get accepted.
10. Indiana State University | ISU
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $10,258/$22,322
Location: Terre Haute, IN
Acceptance Rate: 92%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,668
Indiana State University’s Sycamore Graduation Guarantee helps ISU students reign in college costs. The Sycamore Graduation Guarantee ensures students can complete their bachelor’s degree on time—if a student doesn’t graduate within four years (and meets their responsibilities), the college will pay their tuition and fees.
ISU is also known for Donaghy Day, a tradition named after an ISU graduate and professor, in which students work to beautify the campus and the surrounding community.
Learn more about Indiana State University and what it takes to get accepted.
Tips for Saving Money on College
Although college costs are growing, there are a handful of strategies students can employ to help make higher education more affordable.
Graduate On Time (or Early)
Less than half of college students graduate in four years. Whether it’s paying for classes that don’t satisfy degree requirements or an extra year of room and board, the more time you spend in college, the more money you pay for it.
Accelerated programs and 4+1 master’s degree programs (which allow students to graduate with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five years) are smart options for those looking to lower the amount of time and money spent on college and graduate with an advanced degree.
Earn Credit in High School
Earning college credit while in high school is another smart strategy for ensuring you graduate in four years and don’t incur extra college costs. Many colleges award credit to high school students who earn an acceptable score on their AP and IB exams.
Another option is the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) offered by the College Board—the organization that administers the SAT—which allows students to test out of introductory courses.
Step Down a Tier
Opting to attend one of your “safety” schools over your “reach” can also help reduce the cost of college. The most well-known and prestigious schools don’t need to attract top students with merit aid, but many really good colleges try to entice top applicants to their campus with attractive aid packages. Simply, applying to colleges where your profile is particularly strong is a good way to set yourself up to receive extra aid.
How Much Will College Cost Your Family?
The actual cost of each college can vary significantly and the sticker price of a school is a poor indicator of what you will pay. For example, an expensive private college may end up being more affordable than an in-state public school after financial aid is figured in.
Net price—a calculation that accounts for financial aid—is a better measure of what college will actually cost. Most colleges provide a net price calculator; however, our free Financial Aid Calculator allows you to easily estimate the expense of college for hundreds of schools in just minutes.
Use our Net Price Calculator in conjunction with our free Chancing Engine—which estimates your odds of acceptance—to gain a clearer understanding of your college future.
