Rankings / By State
Best Computer Science Colleges in Indiana
- 23
- Schools
- $57,582
- Avg. Earnings
- 57%
- Avg. Graduation
- $18,763
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,300
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 23 schools run from $43,361 to $101,253, 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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Indiana University-Kokomo is the lowest-cost school here at $3,968 a year in net price.
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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
- #1 University of Notre Dame ($99,980 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology ($101,253), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Indiana University-Kokomo costs $3,968 a year and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology costs $42,513. Yet their graduates earn $49,917 and $101,253, nowhere near the $38,545 price gap.
- On value, Indiana University-Kokomo beats Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Indiana University-Kokomo and University of Notre Dame. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
Technology 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 $51K within a decade, and software developer roles are projected to grow 25%. 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 ▲ +74% vs avg | $26,780 | 96% | 80 |
| 2 DePauw University #2 overall | $70,527 ▲ +22% vs avg | $22,264 | 77% | 76 |
| 3 Purdue University-Main Campus #3 overall | $72,424 ▲ +26% vs avg | $14,600 | 83% | 72 |
| $63,191 ▲ +10% vs avg | $18,578 | 69% | 70 | |
| $69,952 ▲ +21% vs avg | $24,336 | 77% | 70 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Computer Science Colleges in Indiana
This analysis ranks 23 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $57,582 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 57% and an average net price of $18,763.
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
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Technology Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the technology workforce?
$50,797
Median earnings (10yr)
54%
Median graduation rate
$21,829
Median net price
1.0%
Avg. mobility rate
Computing, data, and information-systems programs train for one of the highest-paying and fastest-moving corners of the labor market. Starting salaries are strong, and hiring increasingly rewards demonstrable skill over pedigree. The field is cyclical, though, and specific tools age quickly. What endures is fundamentals and the habit of learning new ones.
Start with the medians across these 23 schools. Graduates earn a median of $50,797 ten years after enrollment, or about $2,797 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 54%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $21,829 a year with about $24,000 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 29% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.0%.
What we’re seeing: employers reward programs with strong industry ties, co-ops, and project portfolios over brand alone. Graduates here post median earnings of $50,797 ten years after enrollment. That premium holds as long as graduates keep their skills current against a fast-shifting stack.
The podium
Build your ranking
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
University of Notre Dame lands at #1 with a 80/100 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, 74% 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 76/100 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, 22% 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 72/100 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, 26% 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
Valparaiso University lands at #4 with a 70/100 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, 10% 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
Why it ranks #5
Wabash College lands at #5 with a 70/100 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, 21% 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 #6
Earlham College lands at #6 with a 70/100 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, 12% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Terre Haute, IN · 77% accepted · $42,513 net
Why it ranks #7
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology lands at #7 with a 70/100 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, 76% 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 #8
Taylor University lands at #8 with a 69/100 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, 9% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Indiana State University lands at #9 with a 69/100 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, 16% 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 #10
Hanover College lands at #10 with a 69/100 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, 6% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Indiana Institute of Technology lands at #11 with a 65/100 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, 18% 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 #12
Indiana University-Indianapolis lands at #12 with a 65/100 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, 4% 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 #13
Trine University lands at #13 with a 65/100 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, 1% below 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Indiana University-Kokomo lands at #14 with a 64/100 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, 13% 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 #15
Indiana University-Southeast lands at #15 with a 62/100 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, 17% 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 #16
Purdue University Northwest lands at #16 with a 62/100 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, 16% 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 #17
Franklin College lands at #17 with a 61/100 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, 4% 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 #18
Purdue University Fort Wayne lands at #18 with a 60/100 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, 20% 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 #19
Indiana University-South Bend lands at #19 with a 60/100 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, 22% 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 #20
Holy Cross College lands at #20 with a 57/100 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, 12% 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 #21
Indiana University-Northwest lands at #21 with a 57/100 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, 25% 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 #22
Anderson University lands at #22 with a 54/100 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, 15% 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
Fort Wayne, IN · $20,473 net
Why it ranks #23
Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies lands at #23 with a 52/100 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, 18% 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 23 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 Software Developers and related roles — a field with $132,270 median pay and 25% projected growth.
See the Software Developer career guide →Choosing the right computer science program can be a pivotal decision for a student’s future. In Indiana, several colleges stand out for their strong outcomes in this field. With an average earning potential of $59,560, these schools provide a solid foundation for aspiring tech professionals.
What sets these programs apart are the key outcomes that align with success in the tech industry: graduation rates, average earnings, debt levels, and mobility. The schools on this list show a range of performance, with the top institutions demonstrating higher earnings and completion rates while managing student debt effectively. Below, you'll find a comprehensive breakdown of these schools and how they compare.
For instance, the University of Notre Dame leads with the highest earnings at $99,980, coupled with an impressive 96% graduation rate. In contrast, Indiana University-Bloomington offers a lower earning potential of $63,742 and a graduation rate of 81%. This illustrates the trade-offs students might consider when choosing between a prestigious program and one that may be more affordable or accessible.
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 10 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1%. 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 Indiana Institute of Technology (1.3%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 4.5% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Indiana Institute of Technology enrolls the most, at 10.4%, 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 28.5% 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 1.53, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and DePauw University is highest at 1.74.
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
The data reveals an interesting pattern when comparing Purdue University and the University of Notre Dame. While Purdue graduates have a solid earning potential of $72,424, Notre Dame's graduates earn significantly more at $99,980. However, attending Notre Dame comes with a higher financial burden, as their net price is $26,780 compared to Purdue's $14,600. This highlights the importance of weighing potential earnings against the cost of education.
As you consider these rankings, it's crucial to reflect on your own priorities. Think about factors like program fit, location, and campus culture, alongside financial considerations. For instance, if a lower net price is a priority, Purdue might be more appealing despite not having the highest earnings. Evaluate what aspects of college will matter most to you after graduation.
Ultimately, these metrics underscore the importance of selecting a college that aligns with your goals for a stable and successful future. A degree in computer science can open doors, but the right program will make a significant difference in your trajectory. Choosing wisely today can set a family on the path to financial stability tomorrow.
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 Computer Science Colleges in Indiana: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Computer Science Colleges in Indiana ranking? +
University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Computer Science 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? +
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology posts the highest median earnings on this list: $101,253 ten years after enrollment, well above the $57,582 average across the 23 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 $18,763 a year across the 23 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 Computer Science 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 23 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.
Sources & Citations
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