Best Small Colleges in Indiana 2025

Badge for BEST IN INDIANA SMALL COLLEGES

Key Takeaways

  • Indiana’s small colleges offer a large range of degrees so that every student can find a topic of interest to study.
  • The best small colleges in Indiana offer students a more intimate campus experience, resulting in more personal attention from professors.
  • Small colleges in Indiana offer immediate access to support services for their students.

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.

Depauw University remains in the top position for our 2025 ranking of the best small colleges in Indiana. Earlham College and Wabash College move up into the number 2 and number 3 positions.

DePauw University has introduced several improvements for the 2025 school year that will appeal to students looking for a top small college experience in Indiana. Key among these is the launch of the new Creative School, which integrates arts, media, and design studies into a dedicated program, offering majors such as film and media arts, creative writing, and design studies. This complements the already established School of Business and Leadership, creating a robust three-school model that blends liberal arts with business and creativity.

Earlham College’s Epic Journey program offers students a fully funded career experience worth up to $5,000, including internships, research, and international opportunities, aligning with each student’s career goals. Furthermore, the Epic Advantage initiative enables 88% of students to engage in paid internships, which strengthens their post-graduate outcomes.

The following list of the best small colleges and universities in Indiana is composed mainly of four-year undergraduate schools (though a handful also offer graduate programs). We’ve identified 29 small colleges in Indiana. The list below of the best small colleges in Indiana. To be included schools must fully accredited, and must have student body populations below 5,000 students. To check out the full list of Indiana’s best colleges, including large and small institutions, check out our ranking.

Best Small Colleges in Indiana 2025

  1. #1

    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
  2. #3

    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
  3. #4

    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

    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
  5. #6

    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
  6. #7

    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
  7. #8

    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
  8. #9

    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
  9. #10

    Indiana University East

    Richmond , IN

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Indiana University East

    Cost of Degree: $7,941
    Starting Salary: $34,800
    What is Indiana University East known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  10. #12

    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

  11. Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    36%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/20

    Career Outlook for degree at Indiana University South Bend

    Cost of Degree: $7,941
    Expenses: $12,514
    Starting Salary: $38,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Indiana University South Bend known for?

    Indiana University South Bend’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  12. #14

    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
  13. #15

    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
  14. #16

    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

  15. #17

    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

  16. 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
  17. 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:

  18. Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    37%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1060/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Indiana University Northwest

    Cost of Degree: $7,941
    Starting Salary: $40,400
    What is Indiana University Northwest known for?

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

  19. #21

    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:

  20. #22

    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

  21. Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    35%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1095/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Indiana University Southeast

    Cost of Degree: $7,941
    Expenses: $14,336
    Starting Salary: $41,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Indiana University Southeast known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  22. #24

    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:

  23. 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:

  24. Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1095/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Indiana University Kokomo

    Cost of Degree: $7,941
    Starting Salary: $40,500
    What is Indiana University Kokomo known for?

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

  25. #27

    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

  26. #28

    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

  27. 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:

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