Rankings / By State
Best Bachelor's Programs in Indiana
- 42
- Schools
- $55,801
- Avg. Earnings
- 58%
- Avg. Graduation
- $19,404
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,341
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $43,283 at the low end to $101,253 at the top. That 2.3× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Indiana University-Kokomo offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $49,917 against $3,968 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Indiana University-Kokomo, at $3,968 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Notre Dame graduates 96% of its students, well above the 58% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor University of Notre Dame: graduates owe only 0.19× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to University of Notre Dame ($99,980 earnings), not the highest earner, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology ($101,253). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Indiana University-Kokomo ($3,968/yr) and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology ($42,513/yr) produce graduates earning $49,917 and $101,253 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $38,545 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Indiana University-Kokomo outperforms Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Indiana University-Kokomo and University of Notre Dame. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on the outcomes that actually compound — graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value — using federal tax-records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $52K ten years out.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-06-12
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 University of Notre Dame #1 overall | $99,980 ▲ +79% vs avg | $26,780 | 96% | 76 |
| 2 DePauw University #2 overall | $70,527 ▲ +26% vs avg | $22,264 | 77% | 70 |
| 3 Purdue University-Main Campus #3 overall | $72,424 ▲ +30% vs avg | $14,600 | 83% | 68 |
| $51,833 ▼ -7% vs avg | $14,940 | 63% | 68 | |
| $53,770 ▼ -4% vs avg | $18,499 | 68% | 67 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Bachelor's Programs in Indiana
This analysis ranks 42 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $55,801 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 58% and an average net price of $19,404.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Indiana University-Kokomo — Net Price: $3,968 | Graduation Rate: 45%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Notre Dame — 96% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology — Median alumni earnings: $101,253
Data Insight
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Indiana Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Indiana?
$51,888
Median earnings (10yr)
62%
Median graduation rate
$19,621
Median net price
0.9%
Avg. mobility rate
Students tend to study where they live and work where they study, which makes a state's colleges its most important economic development asset. This ranking evaluates how well institutions across Indiana serve that role: producing graduates with strong earnings, keeping talent in the regional economy, and offering affordable paths for local students.
Across the 42 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $51,888 ten years after they first enrolled, about $3,888 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 62%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $19,621 a year, with about $24,125 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 31% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 0.9%.
For Indiana, the institutions that combine manageable costs with strong graduate outcomes are the ones building the local workforce. With a median net price of $19,621 and graduates earning a median of $51,888, these schools sit where the talent pipeline and economic development meet.
The podium
Build your ranking
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
University of Notre Dame lands at #1 with a 76/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $99,980 a decade after enrolling, 79% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,780 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
DePauw University lands at #2 with a 70/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $70,527 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,264 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Purdue University-Main Campus lands at #3 with a 68/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $72,424 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,600 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Ball State University lands at #4 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $51,833 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,940 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
University of Evansville lands at #5 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $53,770 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,499 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Goshen College lands at #6 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $51,943 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,493 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Valparaiso University lands at #7 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $63,191 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,578 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Winona Lake, IN · 82% accepted · $19,932 net
Why it ranks #8
Grace College and Theological Seminary lands at #8 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $45,411 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,932 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Wabash College lands at #9 with a 67/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $69,952 a decade after enrolling, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,336 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Huntington University lands at #10 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $46,672 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,310 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Butler University lands at #11 with a 66/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $77,235 a decade after enrolling, 38% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,041 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Oakland City University lands at #12 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $43,283 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,210 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Earlham College lands at #13 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (88/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $50,797 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,714 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Taylor University lands at #14 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $52,198 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,865 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Indiana University-Bloomington lands at #15 with a 65/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,742 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,264 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Hanover College lands at #16 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $53,957 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,829 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Indiana State University lands at #17 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $48,387 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,873 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Saint Mary's College lands at #18 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $59,354 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,292 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
University of Indianapolis lands at #19 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $53,610 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,602 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Indiana University-Indianapolis lands at #20 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (72/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $55,198 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,668 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Indiana University-Kokomo lands at #21 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $49,917 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,968 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Purdue University Northwest lands at #22 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $48,318 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,079 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Manchester University lands at #23 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $51,504 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,805 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Trine University lands at #24 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $57,165 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,355 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Terre Haute, IN · 77% accepted · $42,513 net
Why it ranks #25
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology lands at #25 with a 60/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $101,253 a decade after enrolling, 81% above this list's average, and net price runs $42,513 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Indiana University-Southeast lands at #26 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $47,596 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,888 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Indiana University-East lands at #27 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $47,156 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,134 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Fort Wayne, IN · 96% accepted · $18,196 net
Why it ranks #28
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne lands at #28 with a 59/100 composite, led by academic quality (71/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $55,362 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,196 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Indiana University-South Bend lands at #29 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $44,947 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,653 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion lands at #30 with a 58/100 composite, led by academic quality (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $59,986 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,866 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Franklin College lands at #31 with a 58/100 composite, led by academic quality (66/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $55,376 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,855 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Purdue University Fort Wayne lands at #32 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (53/100). Graduates earn a median $45,872 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,171 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Indiana University-Northwest lands at #33 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by social mobility (48/100). Graduates earn a median $43,361 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,130 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Bethel University lands at #34 with a 57/100 composite, led by academic quality (71/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $48,860 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,610 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Indiana Institute of Technology lands at #35 with a 57/100 composite, led by social mobility (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $47,327 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,206 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global lands at #36 with a 54/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $59,986 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,898 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Holy Cross College lands at #37 with a 53/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (63/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $50,416 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,728 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Marian University lands at #38 with a 52/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (66/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $58,759 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,018 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Anderson University lands at #39 with a 52/100 composite, led by academic quality (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $48,899 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,021 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Saint Mary of the Woods, IN · 72% accepted · $31,872 net
Why it ranks #40
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College lands at #40 with a 51/100 composite, led by social mobility (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $43,845 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $31,872 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Fort Wayne, IN · $20,473 net
Why it ranks #41
Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies lands at #41 with a 49/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (61/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $47,327 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,473 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Calumet College of Saint Joseph lands at #42 with a 48/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (62/100) and pulled down by academic quality (40/100). Graduates earn a median $46,945 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,451 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 42 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing the right bachelor's program in Indiana can be a pivotal decision for students and families. With 42 schools to consider, it’s essential to understand which institutions provide solid outcomes that translate into future success. The average earnings for graduates across these programs stand at $55,801, highlighting the financial opportunities available after graduation.
What sets the top schools apart in this list are their outcomes: graduation rates, earnings, and debt levels. For instance, the University of Notre Dame not only boasts a 96% graduation rate but also leads with an impressive average salary of $99,980. In contrast, schools with lower graduation rates, like Purdue University Northwest at 43%, show a different picture, emphasizing the importance of completion rates in maximizing potential earnings.
Take the example of Purdue University-Main Campus and DePauw University. While both schools show promising earnings after graduation, Purdue graduates earn $72,424 compared to DePauw's $70,527. However, DePauw's net price is significantly higher at $22,264 versus Purdue's $14,600, indicating a tradeoff between upfront costs and potential earnings. This contrast is crucial for students weighing their options.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 20 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 0.9%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Trine University leads the group at 2%, with Wabash College (1.7%) and Grace College and Theological Seminary (1.6%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 4.8% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Oakland City University enrolls the most, at 12.4%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 25% across the list, peaking at 62.4% at University of Notre Dame.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.59, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Butler University is highest at 1.76.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When comparing the University of Notre Dame and Purdue University-Main Campus, we see clear distinctions in their outcomes. Notre Dame graduates not only have an exceptional graduation rate of 96% but also earn $99,980, while Purdue’s graduates earn $72,424 with an 83% graduation rate. This difference highlights how completion rates and earning potential can significantly vary between institutions.
After reviewing 42 schools, consider how these metrics align with your own priorities. Think about your financial situation, the campus environment, and what specific programs you’re interested in. If you're concerned about debt, Purdue University Northwest might seem appealing with a low net price of $6,079, but it’s crucial to weigh that against its lower graduation rate of 43%. Make a list of what matters most to you and use this data to guide your decision.
The path from college to a stable life often hinges on the decisions we make today. Families must consider not just the numbers but also the overall experience and opportunities each school offers. Each choice has implications for the future, so understanding the financial landscape can help ensure that one decision leads to a successful outcome for both student and family.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Bachelor's Programs in Indiana: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Bachelor's Programs in Indiana ranking? +
University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Bachelor's Programs in Indiana ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $99,980 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 96% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology posts the highest median earnings on this list: $101,253 ten years after enrollment, well above the $55,801 average across the 42 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Indiana University-Kokomo leads: graduates earn a median $49,917 against net price of about $3,968 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Notre Dame has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 96%, compared with a 58% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $19,404 a year across the 42 ranked schools with cost data. Indiana University-Kokomo is among the most affordable at roughly $3,968. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Bachelor's Programs in Indiana ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 42 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
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