Rankings / By State
Best Engineering Colleges in Indiana
- 14
- Schools
- $60,039
- Avg. Earnings
- 61%
- Avg. Graduation
- $21,399
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,808
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
-
Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $45,872 at the low end to $101,253 at the top. That 2.2× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
-
Purdue University Northwest offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $48,318 against $6,079 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
-
The most budget-friendly option on this list is Purdue University Northwest, at $6,079 annually in net price.
-
Completion rates separate this field: University of Notre Dame graduates 96% of its students, well above the 61% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
-
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. Purdue University Northwest ($6,079/yr) and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology ($42,513/yr) produce graduates earning $48,318 and $101,253 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $36,434 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Purdue University Northwest 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 Purdue University Northwest 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
Engineering 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 $54K within a decade, and mechanical engineer 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 ▲ +67% vs avg | $26,780 | 96% | 84 |
| 2 Purdue University-Main Campus #2 overall | $72,424 ▲ +21% vs avg | $14,600 | 83% | 78 |
| 3 Trine University #3 overall | $57,165 ▼ -5% vs avg | $25,355 | 66% | 78 |
| $63,191 ▲ +5% vs avg | $18,578 | 69% | 76 | |
| $101,253 ▲ +69% vs avg | $42,513 | 80% | 74 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Engineering Colleges in Indiana
This analysis ranks 14 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $60,039 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 61% and an average net price of $21,399.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Purdue University Northwest — Net Price: $6,079 | Graduation Rate: 43%
- 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.
Engineering Talent Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about America’s engineering talent pipeline?
$52,984
Median earnings (10yr)
66%
Median graduation rate
$21,151
Median net price
1.1%
Avg. mobility rate
Engineering remains one of the most reliable investments in higher education. Earnings are high, unemployment is low, and the skills tie directly to the physical infrastructure of the economy. ABET accreditation and co-op placements are the structural markers that separate programs, and reshoring plus federal infrastructure investment keeps amplifying demand.
Across the 14 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $52,984 ten years after they first enrolled, about $4,984 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 66%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $21,151 a year, with about $25,000 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 26% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.1%.
Engineering programs that combine ABET accreditation with co-op or internship requirements produce the strongest outcomes. Median earnings of $52,984 reflect the field’s consistent premium over other disciplines. With infrastructure spending accelerating, demand for these graduates is structural rather than cyclical.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
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 84/100 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, 67% 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
Purdue University-Main Campus lands at #2 with a 78/100 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, 21% 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 #3
Trine University lands at #3 with a 78/100 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, 5% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Valparaiso University lands at #4 with a 76/100 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, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,578 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.
Pillar breakdown
Terre Haute, IN · 77% accepted · $42,513 net
Why it ranks #5
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology lands at #5 with a 74/100 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, 69% 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 #6
University of Evansville lands at #6 with a 72/100 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, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,499 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
Taylor University lands at #7 with a 70/100 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, 13% 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 #8
Hanover College lands at #8 with a 70/100 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, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,829 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
Indiana Institute of Technology lands at #9 with a 68/100 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, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,206 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 #10
Purdue University Northwest lands at #10 with a 63/100 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, 20% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Purdue University Fort Wayne lands at #11 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, 24% 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 #12
Bethel University lands at #12 with a 59/100 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, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,610 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 #13
Anderson University lands at #13 with a 55/100 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, 19% 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 #14
Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies lands at #14 with a 53/100 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, 21% 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 14 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 Mechanical Engineers and related roles — a field with $99,510 median pay and 10% projected growth.
See the Mechanical Engineer career guide →Engineering colleges in Indiana offer a diverse range of programs that prepare students for the challenges of the workforce. With an average earning potential of $61,129, these institutions are attracting students looking for solid career prospects.
The top-performing schools on this list stand out based on key outcomes such as graduation rates, earnings, and student debt. For instance, while the average graduation rate among these institutions is 60%, some schools boast rates as high as 96%. This means students should consider both the financial implications and the likelihood of completing their degree when evaluating their options.
Take Purdue University and the University of Notre Dame, for example. Purdue graduates earn an average of $72,424, but they face a net price of $14,600. In contrast, students at Notre Dame can expect earnings of $99,980, albeit at a higher net price of $26,780. This difference highlights the tradeoffs between immediate costs and long-term financial benefits, offering a real reason to keep exploring the details below.
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 7 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.1%. 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 Indiana Institute of Technology (1.3%) and University of Evansville (1.1%) 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 29.9% 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 Taylor University is highest at 1.70.
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 we compare Purdue University and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, the difference in earnings is striking. Purdue graduates earn $72,424, while those from Rose-Hulman earn $101,253. However, Rose-Hulman students also face a higher net price of $42,513 compared to Purdue's $14,600, illustrating the balance between upfront costs and potential earnings.
For students considering these programs, it’s vital to weigh factors like location, specific engineering disciplines, and personal financial situations against the data presented. A lower net price may be appealing, but if it comes with a significantly lower graduation rate, that could impact future earning potential. Each student’s priorities will guide how they interpret these numbers.
Ultimately, the data underscores the importance of choosing the right college to pave the way for a stable career. Families must align their education investments with potential outcomes, as one decision can shape the trajectory of a student's life. Investing in an engineering degree can lead to substantial earnings, but understanding the nuances of each program is key.
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 Engineering Colleges in Indiana: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Engineering Colleges in Indiana ranking? +
University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Engineering 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 $60,039 average across the 14 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, Purdue University Northwest leads: graduates earn a median $48,318 against net price of about $6,079 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 61% 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 $21,399 a year across the 14 ranked schools with cost data. Purdue University Northwest is among the most affordable at roughly $6,079. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Engineering 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 14 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
Related Rankings
