Best Small Colleges in Indiana 2025
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.
10 Best Small Colleges in Indiana 2025
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 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Indiana 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in Indiana 2024 #5 Best Colleges in Indiana 2024 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Communications Degrees 2025
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: $55,410Expenses: $16,800Starting Salary: $66,100Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is DePauw University known for?
DePauw University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Political Science
- Anthropology
- Mathematics
- Economics
- Communications
- History
- Sociology
- Computer Science
- Chemistry
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 50 Best Christian Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities 2025 #6 Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Indiana 2024 #3 Best Christian Colleges in Indiana 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$50K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
75%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1255/28
Career Outlook for degree at Earlham College
Cost of Degree: $50,058Expenses: $15,793Starting Salary: $39,200Cost Recoup Time: 21 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Earlham College known for?
Earlham College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Philosophy
- Chemistry
- Religious Studies
- Computer Science
- Earth Sciences
- Literature
- Biology
- Communications
- Engineering
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #23 Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Indiana 2024 #7 Best Private Colleges in Indiana 2024
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: $47,475Expenses: $15,350Starting Salary: $64,000Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Wabash College known for?
Wabash College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Economics
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Religious Studies
- Psychology
- Biology
- Philosophy
- History
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Christian Colleges in Indiana 2024 #3 Best Private Colleges in Indiana 2024 #5 Best Research Universities in Indiana 2024 #6 Best Colleges in Indiana 2024
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: $44,796Expenses: $16,000Starting Salary: $54,400Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Valparaiso University known for?
Valparaiso University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Indiana 2024 #4 Best Christian Colleges in Indiana 2024 #6 Best Private Colleges in Indiana 2024 #10 Best Colleges in Indiana 2024
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: $41,336Expenses: $17,110Starting Salary: $48,800Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Evansville known for?
University of Evansville’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Engineering
- Business
- Computer Science
- Literature
- Mathematics
- Medical
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #5 Best Christian Colleges in Indiana 2024 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Indiana 2024 #8 Best Private Colleges in Indiana 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$36K
Acceptance
66%
Graduation
48%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Manchester University
Cost of Degree: $35,772Expenses: $13,128Starting Salary: $43,600Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Manchester University known for?
Manchester University ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Chemistry
- Engineering
- Biology
- Philosophy
- Economics
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
- #13 Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship #7 Best Christian Colleges in Indiana 2024 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Indiana 2024 #10 Best Private Colleges in Indiana 2024
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: $36,660Expenses: $14,750Starting Salary: $42,400Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Goshen College known for?
Goshen College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Sociology
- Physics
- Biology
- Religious Studies
- History
- Literature
- Communications
- Political Science
- Nursing
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
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: $49,930Expenses: $16,280Starting Salary: $51,300Cost Recoup Time: 19 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Saint Mary's College known for?
Saint Mary's College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Philosophy
- Religious Studies
- Physics
- Communications
- Literature
- History
- Economics
- Chemistry
- Social Work
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
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: $41,214Expenses: $15,848Starting Salary: $51,600Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Hanover College known for?
Hanover College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #9 Best Public Colleges in Indiana 2024 #9 Most Affordable Colleges in Indiana 2024 #6 Best Online Master's Programs in Indiana 2025 #7 Best Online Colleges in Indiana 2024
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: $7,941Starting Salary: $34,800What is Indiana University East known for?
Indiana University East’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Nursing
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Communications
- Criminal Justice
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #17 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2024 #6 Best Christian Colleges in Indiana 2024 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Indiana 2024 #9 Best Private Colleges in Indiana 2024
Other Rankings
- #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Indiana
- #5 Best Online MBA Programs in Indiana
- #6 Best Online Colleges in Indiana 2024
- #6 Best Online Associate Degrees in Indiana 2024
- #9 Best Online Master's Programs in Indiana 2025
- #10 Top 10 Best Online Master's of Psychology Degree Programs 2024
- #13 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Business Administration Doctorates 2025
Tuition + fees
$30K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
67%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1095/24
Career Outlook for degree at Indiana Wesleyan University
Cost of Degree: $29,684Expenses: $13,518Starting Salary: $56,200Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Indiana Wesleyan University known for?
Indiana Wesleyan University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
- Nursing
- Psychology
- History
- Political Science
- Literature
- Education
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
65%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Trine University
Cost of Degree: $34,890Expenses: $16,520Starting Salary: $49,600Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Trine University known for?
Trine University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Engineering
- Chemistry
- Medical
- Criminal Justice
- Business
- Nursing
- Psychology
- Education
- Communications
- Literature
Most Influential Alumni
- #7 Best Public Colleges in Indiana 2024 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Indiana 2024 #8 Best Online Colleges in Indiana 2024 #10 Best Online Master's Programs in Indiana 2025
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: $7,941Expenses: $12,514Starting Salary: $38,100Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Indiana University South Bend known for?
Indiana University South Bend’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Chemistry
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Physics
- Political Science
- Anthropology
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Mathematics
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
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: $36,136Expenses: $15,855Starting Salary: $46,300Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Franklin College known for?
Franklin College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Philosophy
- Communications
- Chemistry
- Literature
- Political Science
- Economics
- Biology
- History
- Mathematics
- Business
Most Influential Alumni
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: $37,476Expenses: $14,558Starting Salary: $42,600Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Taylor University known for?
Taylor University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Philosophy
- Communications
- Physics
- Psychology
- Literature
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Engineering
- Business
Most Influential Alumni
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: $28,192Expenses: $12,276Starting Salary: $37,500Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Grace College & Seminary known for?
Grace College & Seminary’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Psychology
- History
- Literature
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Communications
- Medical
- Criminal Justice
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 Best Online Associate Degrees in Indiana 2024 #7 Best Online Associate Degree Programs That Can Be Completed in 1 Year #10 Best Online Colleges in Indiana 2024 #14 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Nursing Degree Programs 2024
Tuition + fees
$38K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
64%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Marian University
Cost of Degree: $37,600Expenses: $16,971Starting Salary: $46,600Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Marian University known for?
Marian University ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Nursing
- Biology
- Medical
- Chemistry
- Literature
- Mathematics
- Political Science
- History
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
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: $34,080Expenses: $15,920Starting Salary: $41,300Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Anderson College, Indiana known for?
Anderson College, Indiana’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Physics
- Communications
- Sociology
- Literature
- Business
- Mathematics
- History
- Political Science
- Medical
Most Influential Alumni
- #10 Best Grad Schools in Indiana 2024 #5 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Indiana #8 Best Online Associate Degrees in Indiana 2024 #9 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Accounting Programs
Tuition + fees
$30K
Acceptance
65%
Graduation
37%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Indiana Institute of Technology
Cost of Degree: $29,560Starting Salary: $49,400What is Indiana Institute of Technology known for?
Indiana Institute of Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
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: $7,941Starting Salary: $40,400What is Indiana University Northwest known for?
Indiana University Northwest’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$13K
Graduation
29%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Martin University
Cost of Degree: $13,200Starting Salary: $28,600What is Martin University known for?
Martin University’s faculty and alumni have been influential 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: $31,750Expenses: $16,346Starting Salary: $31,900Cost Recoup Time: 20 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat 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
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: $7,941Expenses: $14,336Starting Salary: $41,800Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Indiana University Southeast known for?
Indiana University Southeast’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Nursing
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- History
- Communications
- Medical
- Biology
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
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: $28,830Expenses: $12,974Starting Salary: $39,000Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Huntington University known for?
Huntington University ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
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: $34,050Expenses: $15,420Starting Salary: $43,600Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Saint Francis known for?
University of Saint Francis ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
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: $7,941Starting Salary: $40,500What is Indiana University Kokomo known for?
Indiana University Kokomo’s faculty and alumni have been influential 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: $26,400Expenses: $16,082Starting Salary: $37,200Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Oakland City University known for?
Oakland City University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- History
- Religious Studies
- Biology
- Education
- Criminal Justice
- Communications
- Mathematics
- Psychology
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
76%
Graduation
33%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Holy Cross College
Cost of Degree: $34,800Expenses: $14,500Starting Salary: $45,300Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Holy Cross College known for?
Holy Cross College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$22K
Graduation
25%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Calumet College of St. Joseph
Cost of Degree: $21,650Expenses: $12,620Starting Salary: $47,800Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Calumet College of St. Joseph known for?
Calumet College of St. Joseph’s faculty and alumni have been influential in: