Best Grad Schools in Indiana 2024

Badge for BEST IN INDIANA GRADUATE SCHOOLS

Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in Indiana offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.

10 Best Grad Schools in Indiana

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  1. Purdue University
  2. Indiana University Bloomington
  3. University of Notre Dame
  4. Ball State University
  5. Indiana State University
  6. Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis
  7. Anderson College, Indiana
  8. University of Southern Indiana
  9. Indiana Institute of Technology
  10. University of Indianapolis
  1. Indiana University Bloomington
  2. University of Notre Dame
  3. Purdue University
  4. Indiana State University
  5. Ball State University
  6. Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis
  7. University of Indianapolis
  8. University of Southern Indiana
  9. Anderson College, Indiana
  10. Indiana Institute of Technology
  1. University of Southern Indiana 96%
  2. Indiana State University 94%
  3. Indiana University Bloomington 85%
  4. Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis 84%
  5. University of Indianapolis 78%
  6. Oakland City University 73%
  7. Purdue University 69%
  8. Ball State University 68%
  9. Indiana Institute of Technology 65%
  10. Anderson College, Indiana 62%
  1. Indiana State University 18 to 1
  2. University of Southern Indiana 17 to 1
  3. Indiana University Bloomington 16 to 1
  4. Ball State University 14 to 1
  5. Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis 14 to 1
  6. Purdue University 13 to 1
  7. University of Indianapolis 13 to 1
  8. Indiana Institute of Technology 12 to 1
  9. Oakland City University 12 to 1
  10. University of Notre Dame 9 to 1
  1. University of Notre Dame $58,843
  2. University of Indianapolis $33,520
  3. Anderson College, Indiana $32,950
  4. Indiana Institute of Technology $28,840
  5. Oakland City University $25,740
  6. Indiana University Bloomington $9,913
  7. Purdue University $9,718
  8. Ball State University $9,628
  9. Indiana State University $9,318
  10. University of Southern Indiana $8,909
  1. University of Notre Dame $58,190
  2. University of Indianapolis $39,224
  3. Anderson College, Indiana $10,868
  4. Indiana Institute of Technology $10,026
  5. Indiana University Bloomington $9,909
  6. University of Southern Indiana $9,894
  7. Purdue University $9,718
  8. Ball State University $9,482
  9. Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis $9,228
  10. Oakland City University $9,000
  1. Oakland City University
  2. University of Indianapolis
  3. Indiana Institute of Technology
  4. University of Southern Indiana
  5. Anderson College, Indiana
  6. Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis
  7. Indiana State University
  8. Ball State University
  9. University of Notre Dame
  10. Indiana University Bloomington
  1. Oakland City University
  2. Indiana Institute of Technology
  3. Anderson College, Indiana
  4. University of Southern Indiana
  5. University of Indianapolis
  6. Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis
  7. Ball State University
  8. Indiana State University
  9. Purdue University
  10. University of Notre Dame
  1. University of Notre Dame 15%
  2. Anderson College, Indiana 62%
  3. Indiana Institute of Technology 65%
  4. Ball State University 68%
  5. Purdue University 69%
  6. Oakland City University 73%
  7. University of Indianapolis 78%
  8. Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis 84%
  9. Indiana University Bloomington 85%
  10. Indiana State University 94%
  1. Anderson College, Indiana 8 to 1
  2. University of Notre Dame 9 to 1
  3. Indiana Institute of Technology 12 to 1
  4. Oakland City University 12 to 1
  5. Purdue University 13 to 1
  6. University of Indianapolis 13 to 1
  7. Ball State University 14 to 1
  8. Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis 14 to 1
  9. Indiana University Bloomington 16 to 1
  10. University of Southern Indiana 17 to 1
  1. Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis $8,883
  2. University of Southern Indiana $8,909
  3. Indiana State University $9,318
  4. Ball State University $9,628
  5. Purdue University $9,718
  6. Indiana University Bloomington $9,913
  7. Oakland City University $25,740
  8. Indiana Institute of Technology $28,840
  9. Anderson College, Indiana $32,950
  10. University of Indianapolis $33,520
  1. Indiana State University $7,776
  2. Oakland City University $9,000
  3. Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis $9,228
  4. Ball State University $9,482
  5. Purdue University $9,718
  6. University of Southern Indiana $9,894
  7. Indiana University Bloomington $9,909
  8. Indiana Institute of Technology $10,026
  9. Anderson College, Indiana $10,868
  10. University of Indianapolis $39,224

Colleges and Universities in Indiana

Prospective students searching for both brick-and-mortar and online colleges in Indiana have many excellent options, including notable institutions like University of Notre Dame, Purdue University, and Butler University. Each boasts a high graduate rate, a wide variety of traditional and online degree programs, and numerous excellent undergraduate and graduate programs. The tuition and student population vary widely between these schools.

Indiana University Bloomington is the largest public university in Indiana. The state university is also noted for its high graduation rate, its large student population of roughly 40,000 students, and an in-state tuition rate just above the national average at $11,000.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Additionally, students hoping to attend a school with a religious affiliation have nearly 30 options to choose from. Both traditional and online students at these schools can study areas like engineering, business, philosophy, religious studies, and law.

The state of Indiana offers loan forgiveness-based financial aid programs for health care workers who work in areas with labor shortages as well as for lawyers providing public legal aid. Additionally, graduates of Indiana University’s Maurer School of Law pursuing public interest law can apply for a special grant program that will help cover the cost of preparing and sitting for the bar exam.

With town names like Popcorn and Santa Claus, Indiana clearly has a quirky personality. Along with these unique towns, Indiana also hosts the famous Indianapolis 500 auto race; boasts a thriving art scene; and has been home to iconic celebrities, including Larry Bird, James Dean, and David Letterman.

Students wanting to experience all Indiana has to offer while studying have the option of attending one of Indiana’s more than 50 higher education institutes. Most offer both traditional and online degrees, as well as a full array of undergraduate programs and advanced degrees.

Explore Indiana’s more than 50 colleges and universities to find a program and future career path that’s right for you.


What are Indiana’s Colleges & Universities?

Indiana’s Best Overall


Indiana's Best Grad Schools Badge
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There are 11 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Indiana. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the Indiana is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.

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Best Grad Schools in Indiana 2023

  1. #1

    Purdue University

    West Lafayette , IN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    69%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    51K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1295/29

    Career Outlook for degree at Purdue University

    Cost of Degree: $9,992
    Expenses: $12,930
    Starting Salary: $62,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    81%

    Student body

    47K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1235/27

    Career Outlook for degree at Indiana University Bloomington

    Cost of Degree: $11,447
    Expenses: $16,010
    Starting Salary: $57,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. #3

    University of Notre Dame

    Notre Dame , IN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    15%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1475/33

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Notre Dame

    Cost of Degree: $60,301
    Expenses: $19,910
    Starting Salary: $98,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    57%

    Student body

    33K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1095/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis

    Cost of Degree: $10,144
    Expenses: $14,636
    Starting Salary: $50,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis known for?

    Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  5. Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    62%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1055/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Anderson College, Indiana

    Cost of Degree: $34,080
    Expenses: $15,920
    Starting Salary: $41,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  6. Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    12K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1075/22

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Southern Indiana

    Cost of Degree: $9,695
    Expenses: $13,558
    Starting Salary: $40,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Southern Indiana known for?

    University of Southern Indiana’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  7. Tuition + fees

    $29K

    Acceptance

    65%

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Indiana Institute of Technology

    Cost of Degree: $29,560
    Starting Salary: $49,400
    What is Indiana Institute of Technology known for?

    Indiana Institute of Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  8. #10

    University of Indianapolis

    Indianapolis , IN

    Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1065/21

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Indianapolis

    Cost of Degree: $34,972
    Expenses: $16,640
    Starting Salary: $46,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Indianapolis known for?

    University of Indianapolis’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  9. #11

    Oakland City University

    Oakland City , IN

    Tuition + fees

    $26K

    Acceptance

    73%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1024/18

    Career Outlook for degree at Oakland City University

    Cost of Degree: $26,400
    Expenses: $16,082
    Starting Salary: $37,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Oakland City University known for?

    Oakland City University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

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Indiana’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. Purdue University
  2. University of Notre Dame
  3. Indiana University Bloomington
  4. Ball State University
  5. University of Indianapolis
  6. Anderson College, Indiana
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