Best Private Colleges in Indiana 2024

Badge for BEST IN INDIANA PRIVATE COLLEGES

Private colleges, unlike large public institutions, can be a great option for students wanting a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Here is our list of the best private colleges in Indiana.

10 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

Sort by:
  1. University of Notre Dame
  2. DePauw University
  3. Valparaiso University
  4. Earlham College
  5. Butler University
  6. University of Evansville
  7. Wabash College
  8. Manchester University
  9. Indiana Wesleyan University
  10. Goshen College
  1. University of Notre Dame
  2. DePauw University
  3. Wabash College
  4. Earlham College
  5. Butler University
  6. Valparaiso University
  7. University of Evansville
  8. Manchester University
  9. Hanover College
  10. Goshen College
  1. University of Saint Francis 98%
  2. Valparaiso University 94%
  3. Marian University 94%
  4. Goshen College 94%
  5. Franklin College 93%
  6. Trine University 92%
  7. Indiana Wesleyan University 87%
  8. Grace College & Seminary 85%
  9. Saint Mary's College 84%
  10. Butler University 82%
  1. Grace College & Seminary 18 to 1
  2. Trine University 16 to 1
  3. Indiana Institute of Technology 15 to 1
  4. Indiana Wesleyan University 13 to 1
  5. Marian University 13 to 1
  6. Taylor University 13 to 1
  7. Huntington University 12 to 1
  8. Manchester University 12 to 1
  9. University of Saint Francis 12 to 1
  10. University of Indianapolis 11 to 1
  1. University of Notre Dame $60,301
  2. DePauw University $55,410
  3. Earlham College $50,058
  4. Saint Mary's College $49,930
  5. Wabash College $47,475
  6. Valparaiso University $44,796
  7. Butler University $44,460
  8. Hanover College $41,559
  9. University of Evansville $41,336
  10. Marian University $37,600
  1. University of Notre Dame $59,644
  2. Trine University $45,350
  3. University of Indianapolis $39,992
  4. Franklin College $39,114
  5. Goshen College $29,678
  6. University of Evansville $29,501
  7. Saint Mary's College $29,231
  8. Manchester University $23,435
  9. Calumet College of St. Joseph $21,240
  10. Marian University $20,138
  1. Calumet College of St. Joseph
  2. University of Saint Francis
  3. Oakland City University
  4. Grace College & Seminary
  5. Holy Cross College
  6. Martin University
  7. University of Indianapolis
  8. Huntington University
  9. Franklin College
  10. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
  1. Calumet College of St. Joseph
  2. Holy Cross College
  3. University of Saint Francis
  4. Oakland City University
  5. Huntington University
  6. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
  7. Martin University
  8. Indiana Institute of Technology
  9. Anderson College, Indiana
  10. Grace College & Seminary
  1. University of Notre Dame 13%
  2. Anderson College, Indiana 52%
  3. Oakland City University 56%
  4. Wabash College 61%
  5. Indiana Institute of Technology 65%
  6. Manchester University 66%
  7. DePauw University 66%
  8. Earlham College 73%
  9. Hanover College 74%
  10. Taylor University 75%
  1. Martin University 6 to 1
  2. Earlham College 6 to 1
  3. Anderson College, Indiana 9 to 1
  4. University of Notre Dame 9 to 1
  5. DePauw University 9 to 1
  6. Goshen College 9 to 1
  7. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College 9 to 1
  8. Saint Mary's College 9 to 1
  9. Wabash College 9 to 1
  10. University of Evansville 10 to 1
  1. Martin University $13,200
  2. Calumet College of St. Joseph $21,650
  3. Oakland City University $26,400
  4. Huntington University $28,830
  5. Grace College & Seminary $29,048
  6. Indiana Institute of Technology $29,560
  7. Indiana Wesleyan University $29,684
  8. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College $32,700
  9. University of Saint Francis $34,050
  10. Anderson College, Indiana $34,080
  1. Grace College & Seminary $7,288
  2. University of Saint Francis $8,626
  3. Oakland City University $9,000
  4. Indiana Institute of Technology $10,224
  5. Taylor University $10,524
  6. Martin University $11,700
  7. Valparaiso University $11,700
  8. Anderson College, Indiana $11,826
  9. Huntington University $11,856
  10. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College $12,825

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

What is the difference between public and private colleges?

Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.

Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.

Indiana's Best Private Colleges and Universities Badge
Download Badge

This list is composed entirely of private colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 27 private universities in Indiana. To be included in the list below of the best private universities in Indiana, schools must be fully accredited, private, non-profit institution, and must offer a broad range of bachelor’s degrees.

Back to Top

Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  1. #1

    University of Notre Dame

    Notre Dame , IN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1500/33

    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
  2. #2

    DePauw University

    Greencastle , IN

    Tuition + fees

    $55K

    Acceptance

    66%

    Graduation

    79%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1250/27

    Career Outlook for degree at DePauw University

    Cost of Degree: $55,410
    Expenses: $16,800
    Starting Salary: $66,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. #3

    Valparaiso University

    Valparaiso , IN

    Tuition + fees

    $45K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    70%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1250/28

    Career Outlook for degree at Valparaiso University

    Cost of Degree: $44,796
    Expenses: $16,000
    Starting Salary: $54,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. #5

    Butler University

    Indianapolis , IN

    Tuition + fees

    $44K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    81%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1215/27

    Career Outlook for degree at Butler University

    Cost of Degree: $44,460
    Expenses: $19,720
    Starting Salary: $68,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  5. #6

    University of Evansville

    Evansville , IN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $41K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    65%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1172/24

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Evansville

    Cost of Degree: $41,336
    Expenses: $17,110
    Starting Salary: $48,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  6. #7

    Wabash College

    Crawfordsville , IN

    Tuition + fees

    $47K

    Acceptance

    61%

    Graduation

    75%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1221/26

    Career Outlook for degree at Wabash College

    Cost of Degree: $47,475
    Expenses: $15,350
    Starting Salary: $64,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  7. #8

    Manchester University

    North Manchester , IN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    66%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Manchester University

    Cost of Degree: $35,772
    Expenses: $13,128
    Starting Salary: $43,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  8. #10

    Goshen College

    Goshen , IN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $37K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1095/25

    Career Outlook for degree at Goshen College

    Cost of Degree: $36,660
    Expenses: $14,750
    Starting Salary: $42,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  9. #11

    Saint Mary's College

    Notre Dame , IN

    Tuition + fees

    $50K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    75%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1214/29

    Career Outlook for degree at Saint Mary's College

    Cost of Degree: $49,930
    Expenses: $16,280
    Starting Salary: $51,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  10. #12

    Taylor University

    Upland , IN

    Tuition + fees

    $37K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    78%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1200/26

    Career Outlook for degree at Taylor University

    Cost of Degree: $37,476
    Expenses: $14,558
    Starting Salary: $42,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  11. #13

    Hanover College

    Hanover , IN

    Tuition + fees

    $42K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1180/26

    Career Outlook for degree at Hanover College

    Cost of Degree: $41,214
    Expenses: $15,848
    Starting Salary: $51,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  12. Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    52%

    Graduation

    59%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1100/21

    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
  13. #15

    Marian University

    Indianapolis , IN

    Tuition + fees

    $38K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Marian University

    Cost of Degree: $37,600
    Expenses: $16,971
    Starting Salary: $46,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Marian University known for?

    Marian University ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  14. #16

    Trine University

    Angola , IN

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    92%

    Graduation

    65%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Trine University

    Cost of Degree: $34,890
    Expenses: $16,520
    Starting Salary: $49,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Trine University known for?

    Trine University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  15. Tuition + fees

    $30K

    Acceptance

    65%

    Graduation

    37%

    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:

  16. #18

    Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

    Saint Mary of the Woods , IN

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    960/24

    Career Outlook for degree at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

    Cost of Degree: $31,750
    Expenses: $16,346
    Starting Salary: $31,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College known for?

    Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  17. #19

    Franklin College

    Franklin , IN

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1070/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Franklin College

    Cost of Degree: $36,136
    Expenses: $15,855
    Starting Salary: $46,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  18. #20

    Huntington University

    Huntington , IN

    Tuition + fees

    $29K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1090/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Huntington University

    Cost of Degree: $28,830
    Expenses: $12,974
    Starting Salary: $39,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Huntington University known for?

    Huntington University ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  19. #21

    University of Indianapolis

    Indianapolis , IN

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    6K

    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

  20. #22

    Martin University

    Indianapolis , IN

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Graduation

    29%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Martin University

    Cost of Degree: $13,200
    Starting Salary: $28,600
    What is Martin University known for?

    Martin University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  21. #23

    Holy Cross College

    Notre Dame , IN

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    33%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Holy Cross College

    Cost of Degree: $34,800
    Expenses: $14,500
    Starting Salary: $45,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Holy Cross College known for?

    Holy Cross College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  22. #24

    Grace College & Seminary

    Winona Lake , IN

    Tuition + fees

    $29K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Grace College & Seminary

    Cost of Degree: $28,192
    Expenses: $12,276
    Starting Salary: $37,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Grace College & Seminary known for?

    Grace College & Seminary’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  23. #25

    Oakland City University

    Oakland City , IN

    Tuition + fees

    $26K

    Acceptance

    56%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1000/20

    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

  24. Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    98%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1030/21

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Saint Francis

    Cost of Degree: $34,050
    Expenses: $15,420
    Starting Salary: $43,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Saint Francis known for?

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

  25. Tuition + fees

    $22K

    Graduation

    25%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Calumet College of St. Joseph

    Cost of Degree: $21,650
    Expenses: $12,620
    Starting Salary: $47,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Calumet College of St. Joseph known for?

    Calumet College of St. Joseph’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Back to Top

Indiana’s Best Private Colleges in Your Area Interest

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. University of Notre Dame
  2. DePauw University
  3. Earlham College
  4. Hanover College
  5. Goshen College
  6. Wabash College
  7. Valparaiso University
  8. University of Evansville
  9. Butler University
  10. Indiana Wesleyan University
  11. Saint Mary's College
  12. Taylor University
  13. Manchester University
  14. University of Indianapolis
  15. Franklin College
  16. Grace College & Seminary
  17. Huntington University
  18. Trine University
  19. Marian University
  20. University of Saint Francis

Check out our directory of private colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top private schools in every state.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here