Rankings / By State
Best Business Colleges in Indiana
- 39
- Schools
- $53,895
- Avg. Earnings
- 57%
- Avg. Graduation
- $18,612
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,111
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 39 schools run from $43,283 to $99,980, a 2.3× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Indiana University-Kokomo delivers the most for the money: roughly $49,917 in median earnings against $3,968 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, Indiana University-Kokomo ($3,968 net price), still posts $49,917 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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University of Notre Dame graduates 96% of its students, versus a 57% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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University of Notre Dame carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.19× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- Indiana University-Kokomo costs $3,968 a year and Butler University costs $36,041. Yet their graduates earn $49,917 and $77,235, nowhere near the $32,073 price gap.
- On value, Indiana University-Kokomo beats University of Notre Dame: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: University of Notre Dame finishes 96% of students while Calumet College of Saint Joseph finishes 26%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Indiana University-Kokomo and University of Notre Dame. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
Business is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $52K within a decade, and management analyst roles are projected to grow 10%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
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 ▲ +86% vs avg | $26,780 | 96% | 89 |
| 2 Oakland City University #2 overall | $43,283 ▼ -20% vs avg | $15,210 | 68% | 82 |
| 3 Butler University #3 overall | $77,235 ▲ +43% vs avg | $36,041 | 80% | 82 |
| $45,411 ▼ -16% vs avg | $19,932 | 69% | 81 | |
| $51,833 ▼ -4% vs avg | $14,940 | 63% | 78 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Business Colleges in Indiana
This analysis ranks 39 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $53,895 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 57% and an average net price of $18,612.
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: University of Notre Dame — Median alumni earnings: $99,980
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Management Education Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about leadership and management education?
$51,504
Median earnings (10yr)
58%
Median graduation rate
$18,805
Median net price
0.9%
Avg. mobility rate
Business and MBA programs sell acceleration: faster paths into management, bigger networks, and a salary step-change. The return is famously dispersed, though. A handful of programs deliver enormous ROI through placement and alumni networks, while many barely clear the cost of attendance. Management education is less a single product than a wide spectrum of outcomes.
The median graduation rate across these 39 schools is 58%. Median graduate earnings reach $51,504 ten years after enrollment, roughly $3,504 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $18,805 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $24,000. Some 32% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 0.9%.
What we’re seeing: value concentrates where networks and employer pipelines are strongest, and ROI varies more here than in almost any other field. Median earnings reach $51,504 ten years after enrollment, with University of Notre Dame at the top of the list. The spread between the best programs and the median is the real story of an MBA.
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 89/100 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, 86% 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
Oakland City University lands at #2 with a 82/100 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, 20% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Butler University lands at #3 with a 82/100 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, 43% 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
Winona Lake, IN · 82% accepted · $19,932 net
Why it ranks #4
Grace College and Theological Seminary lands at #4 with a 81/100 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, 16% 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 #5
Ball State University lands at #5 with a 78/100 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, 4% 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 #6
Indiana State University lands at #6 with a 77/100 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, 10% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Hanover College lands at #7 with a 76/100 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, 0% above 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
University of Evansville lands at #8 with a 76/100 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, 0% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
University of Indianapolis lands at #9 with a 76/100 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, 1% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Goshen College lands at #10 with a 75/100 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, 4% 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 #11
Valparaiso University lands at #11 with a 75/100 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, 17% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Huntington University lands at #12 with a 74/100 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, 13% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Taylor University lands at #13 with a 74/100 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, 3% 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 #14
Manchester University lands at #14 with a 73/100 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, 4% 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 #15
Purdue University-Main Campus lands at #15 with a 73/100 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, 34% 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 #16
Saint Mary's College lands at #16 with a 72/100 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, 10% 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 #17
Indiana University-Southeast lands at #17 with a 72/100 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, 12% 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 #18
Indiana Institute of Technology lands at #18 with a 72/100 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, 12% 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 #19
Indiana University-Indianapolis lands at #19 with a 72/100 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, 2% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Trine University lands at #20 with a 72/100 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, 6% 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
Why it ranks #21
Earlham College lands at #21 with a 72/100 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, 6% 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 #22
Indiana University-Kokomo lands at #22 with a 71/100 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, 7% 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 #23
Indiana University-Bloomington lands at #23 with a 71/100 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, 18% 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 #24
Purdue University Northwest lands at #24 with a 68/100 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, 10% 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 #25
Bethel University lands at #25 with a 68/100 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, 9% 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 #26
Indiana University-East lands at #26 with a 68/100 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, 13% 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
Why it ranks #27
Holy Cross College lands at #27 with a 68/100 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, 6% 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 #28
Indiana University-South Bend lands at #28 with a 67/100 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, 17% 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 #29
Purdue University Fort Wayne lands at #29 with a 66/100 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, 15% 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 #30
Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global lands at #30 with a 65/100 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, 11% 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 #31
Franklin College lands at #31 with a 65/100 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, 3% above 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
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion lands at #32 with a 64/100 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, 11% 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
Fort Wayne, IN · $20,473 net
Why it ranks #33
Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies lands at #33 with a 63/100 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, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,473 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
Fort Wayne, IN · 96% accepted · $18,196 net
Why it ranks #34
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne lands at #34 with a 63/100 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, 3% above 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 #35
Indiana University-Northwest lands at #35 with a 63/100 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, 20% 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 #36
Marian University lands at #36 with a 61/100 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, 9% 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 #37
Calumet College of Saint Joseph lands at #37 with a 60/100 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, 13% 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
Saint Mary of the Woods, IN · 72% accepted · $31,872 net
Why it ranks #38
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College lands at #38 with a 60/100 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, 19% 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
Why it ranks #39
Anderson University lands at #39 with a 59/100 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, 9% 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 39 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Management Analysts and related roles — a field with $99,410 median pay and 10% projected growth.
See the Management Analyst career guide →When considering a business degree in Indiana, students have a range of schools to choose from, each offering unique benefits and challenges. With 40 business programs in the state, understanding how these schools perform can guide families in making informed decisions. On average, graduates from these programs earn about $53,895, which highlights the potential return on investment for students.
The strength of these institutions comes down to key factors like graduate earnings, completion rates, and student debt. For instance, the University of Notre Dame stands out with remarkable graduate earnings of $99,980 and a graduation rate of 96%. In contrast, other schools may offer lower earnings and higher debt, emphasizing the importance of evaluating each program's outcomes closely.
Take Purdue University and Butler University as examples. Purdue graduates earn $72,424 with a graduation rate of 83%, while Butler students earn $77,235 but face a significantly higher net price of $36,041. This contrast in financial commitment and potential earnings is crucial for families balancing costs with future gains.
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
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 18 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 0.9%. Trine University leads the group at 2%, with Grace College and Theological Seminary (1.6%) and Indiana Institute of Technology (1.3%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 4.9% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Oakland City University leads at 12.4%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 23.5% across this list. University of Notre Dame posts the highest success rate at 62.4%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.58 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Butler University reaches 1.76, the highest on the list.
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
Looking closely at the data reveals that the University of Notre Dame outperforms other institutions significantly. With average earnings of $99,980 and a graduation rate of 96%, it sets a high standard. In contrast, Indiana University-Kokomo, with earnings of $49,917 and a graduation rate of only 45%, illustrates how outcomes can vary widely based on program quality and student support.
After reviewing the 40 schools, families should weigh this data against their own priorities. Consider factors like location, program fit, campus culture, and financial situation. For example, a school with higher earnings may not be worth the cost if it leads to significant debt. Look for programs that align with your career goals and financial capacities.
This data underscores the importance of making informed choices about education. Attending a school with strong outcomes can lead to better job prospects and financial stability. A single decision can shape a family’s future, making it essential to focus on metrics that matter the most.
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 Business Colleges in Indiana: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Business Colleges in Indiana ranking? +
University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Business Colleges 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? +
University of Notre Dame posts the highest median earnings on this list: $99,980 ten years after enrollment, well above the $53,895 average across the 39 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 57% 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 $18,612 a year across the 39 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 Business Colleges 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 39 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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