Rankings / By State
Best Master's Programs in Indiana
- 46
- Schools
- $54,866
- Avg. Earnings
- 57%
- Avg. Graduation
- $18,631
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,078
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $36,596 at the low end to $101,253 at the top. That 2.8× 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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Cost and quality are not at odds here. The most affordable school, Indiana University-Kokomo at $3,968 a year in net price, delivers earnings of $49,917, matching or exceeding the list average.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Notre Dame graduates 96% of its students, well above the 57% 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
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
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from 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 after enrollment.
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 ▲ +82% vs avg | $26,780 | 96% | 76 |
| 2 DePauw University #2 overall | $70,527 ▲ +29% vs avg | $22,264 | 77% | 70 |
| 3 Purdue University-Main Campus #3 overall | $72,424 ▲ +32% vs avg | $14,600 | 83% | 68 |
| $51,833 ▼ -6% vs avg | $14,940 | 63% | 68 | |
| $47,605 ▼ -13% vs avg | $12,923 | 50% | 68 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Master's Programs in Indiana
This analysis ranks 46 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $54,866 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 57% and an average net price of $18,631.
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
Our Analysis Found
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?
$51,504
Median earnings (10yr)
57%
Median graduation rate
$18,708
Median net price
1.0%
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.
Start with the medians across these 46 schools. Graduates earn a median of $51,504 ten years after enrollment, or about $3,504 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 57%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $18,708 a year with about $24,000 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 30% 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%.
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 $18,708 and graduates earning a median of $51,504, these schools sit where the talent pipeline and economic development meet.
The podium
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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, 82% 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, 29% 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, 32% 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, 6% 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 Southern Indiana lands at #5 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (63/100). Graduates earn a median $47,605 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,923 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
University of Evansville lands at #6 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, 2% 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 #7
Goshen College lands at #7 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, 5% 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 #8
Valparaiso University lands at #8 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, 15% 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 #9
Grace College and Theological Seminary lands at #9 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, 17% 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 #10
Wabash College lands at #10 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, 27% 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 #11
Huntington University lands at #11 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, 15% 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 #12
Butler University lands at #12 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, 41% 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 #13
Oakland City University lands at #13 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, 21% 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 #14
Earlham College lands at #14 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, 7% 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 #15
Taylor University lands at #15 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, 5% 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 #16
Indiana University-Bloomington lands at #16 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, 16% 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 #17
Hanover College lands at #17 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, 2% 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 #18
Indiana State University lands at #18 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, 12% 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 #19
Saint Mary's College lands at #19 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, 8% 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 #20
University of Indianapolis lands at #20 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, 2% 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 #21
Indiana University-Indianapolis lands at #21 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% 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 #22
Indiana University-Kokomo lands at #22 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, 9% 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
Purdue University Northwest lands at #23 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, 12% 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 #24
Manchester University lands at #24 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, 6% 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 #25
Vincennes University lands at #25 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (40/100). Graduates earn a median $41,110 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,225 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 #26
Trine University lands at #26 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, 4% 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 #27
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology lands at #27 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, 85% 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 #28
Indiana University-Southeast lands at #28 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, 13% 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 #29
Indiana University-East lands at #29 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, 14% 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 #30
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne lands at #30 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% 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 #31
Union Bible College lands at #31 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Net price runs $10,110 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 #32
Indiana University-South Bend lands at #32 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, 18% 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 #33
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion lands at #33 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, 9% 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 #34
Franklin College lands at #34 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% 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 #35
Purdue University Fort Wayne lands at #35 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, 16% 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 #36
Indiana University-Northwest lands at #36 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, 21% 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 #37
Bethel University lands at #37 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, 11% 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 #38
Indiana Institute of Technology lands at #38 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, 14% 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 #39
Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global lands at #39 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, 9% 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 #40
Holy Cross College lands at #40 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, 8% 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 #41
Marian University lands at #41 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, 7% 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 #42
Anderson University lands at #42 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, 11% 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 #43
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College lands at #43 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, 20% 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 #44
Purdue University Global lands at #44 with a 50/100 composite, led by value per dollar (65/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $36,596 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,770 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 · $20,473 net
Why it ranks #45
Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies lands at #45 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, 14% 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
Why it ranks #46
Calumet College of Saint Joseph lands at #46 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, 14% 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 46 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
When considering a master's program in Indiana, prospective students face a range of options across 46 schools. These programs share a focus on graduate outcomes, which can significantly impact future earnings and career success. The right choice can lead to a more stable financial future and strong professional connections.
What makes some programs stand out more than others are their graduate earnings, completion rates, and student debt levels. For instance, the average earnings for graduates in this list is $54,866, while the overall graduation rate averages 57%. This data helps illustrate which programs not only graduate students but also help them achieve solid financial outcomes post-graduation.
Take the University of Notre Dame, for example, which tops the list with impressive earnings of $99,980 and a graduation rate of 96%. In contrast, Purdue University Northwest has a much lower earning average of $48,318 and a graduation rate of just 43%. The stark difference in these metrics highlights the importance of choosing a program that aligns with your career goals and financial expectations.
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 22 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 Vincennes University (1.7%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 5.1% 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 23.9% 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 1.56, 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
In examining the data, it's clear that the University of Notre Dame significantly outperforms Purdue University Northwest in crucial metrics. Notre Dame's graduates enjoy an average salary of $99,980 and boast a 96% graduation rate. In contrast, Purdue Northwest's graduates earn just $48,318, with a troubling 43% graduation rate. This discrepancy underscores how a stronger program can lead to better financial stability and higher completion rates.
After reviewing these schools, consider your own priorities when weighing this data. Think about factors like location, program fit, and campus culture. For instance, if you prioritize lower debt, Purdue University Northwest stands out with a net price of $6,079. However, you may need to weigh that against its lower earning potential. Determine what matters most to you in your educational journey, and let that guide your decision.
Ultimately, this data highlights the critical link between education and financial well-being. Choosing the right master's program can set the course for a stable future, impacting not just individual lives but entire families. One decision can influence your financial trajectory for years to come, making it essential to consider these outcomes seriously before committing to a program.
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 Master's Programs in Indiana: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Master's Programs in Indiana ranking? +
University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Master'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 $54,866 average across the 45 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 $18,631 a year across the 46 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 Master'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 46 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
