Best Public Colleges in Indiana 2025

Badge for BEST IN INDIANA PUBLIC COLLEGES

By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski

Published: Mar 23, 2021
Updated: Nov 7, 2024

Public colleges and universities account for almost 75 percent of all undergraduate students in the U.S. The best public colleges in Indiana provide broad access to reputable degree programs, affordable tuition, and sprawling educational communities.

Key Takeaways

Students at the best public schools in Indiana have access to extensive facilities, including research centers, libraries, and extracurricular activities, enhancing both academic and personal development.
The institutions in our ranking provide a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, allowing students to pursue various fields of study and tailor their education to their interests.
In-state students at the best public schools in Indiana benefit from lower tuition rates, making higher education more accessible and reducing the financial burden associated with earning a degree.

Table of Contents

10 Best Public Colleges in Indiana in 2025

Indiana University Bloomington
+1
Purdue University
–1
Indiana State University
+1
Ball State University
–1
Vincennes University
+3
Indiana University East
+3
Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis
–1
Purdue University Global
–3
Indiana University South Bend
–2
University of Southern Indiana

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top ten schools in our ranking of the best public schools in Indiana saw a fair amount of movement. Indiana University Bloomington gained the top ranking position as the university is implementing several enhancements to enrich the student experience. The Wright Quadrangle, a 1,052-bed student housing facility, is undergoing renovations to upgrade building and life safety systems, including the installation of central air conditioning, new electrical, plumbing, security, network connectivity, and fire protection systems. Student rooms, lounges, and restrooms are being updated, windows replaced in the residential wings, and exterior masonry repaired. Accessibility improvements include the installation of a new elevator in the northeast wing.

Additionally, the university is investing in the Science Learning Initiative, which includes renovating the Biology Building to modernize and enhance research laboratories, instructional classrooms, and academic support spaces. A new Science Learning Building is also proposed to house classrooms and consolidate instructional laboratory opportunities in the science research district.

This list is composed entirely of public colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 15 public universities in Indiana. To be included in our list of the best public colleges in Indiana, schools must receive direct funding from the state, be fully accredited, and offer a broad range of bachelor’s degrees.