Rankings / By State (Affordable)
Most Affordable Colleges in Indiana
- 47
- Schools
- $59,771
- Avg. Earnings
- 57%
- Avg. Graduation
- $17,650
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,794
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 47 schools run from $40,802 to $113,124, a 2.8× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Purdue University Northwest delivers the most for the money: roughly $58,620 in median earnings against $6,223 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Union Bible College is the lowest-cost school here at $2,534 a year in net price.
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University of Notre Dame graduates 95% 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 0.17× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Indiana University-Northwest ($48,764 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, University of Notre Dame ($113,124), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- On value, Purdue University Northwest 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 95% of students while Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies finishes 23%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
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
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 $58K 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 2026-11-02
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 Indiana University-Northwest #1 overall | $48,764 ▼ -18% vs avg | $5,567 | 37% | 84 |
| 2 Indiana University-Kokomo #2 overall | $52,440 ▼ -12% vs avg | $5,707 | 46% | 84 |
| 3 Purdue University Northwest #3 overall | $58,620 ▼ -2% vs avg | $6,223 | 44% | 83 |
| $40,802 ▼ -32% vs avg | $5,673 | 42% | 80 | |
| $42,322 ▼ -29% vs avg | $5,956 | 44% | 78 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Most Affordable Colleges in Indiana
This analysis ranks 47 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $59,771 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 57% and an average net price of $17,650.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Purdue University Northwest — Net Price: $6,223 | Graduation Rate: 44%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Notre Dame — 95% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Notre Dame — Median alumni earnings: $113,124
Research Note
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Affordability & ROI Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about getting a real return on a degree?
$57,388
Median earnings (10yr)
57%
Median graduation rate
$18,778
Median net price
1.0%
Avg. mobility rate
A value ranking asks the question families actually care about: which school delivers the strongest outcome for the least cost and debt. The winners are rarely the cheapest schools or the highest earners. They are the ones that pair a low net price, what students pay after grants, with graduates who go on to earn. That is the definition of return on investment.
Across the 47 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $57,388 ten years after they first enrolled, about $9,388 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 57%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $18,778 a year, with about $22,589 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 34% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.0%.
What we’re seeing: value clusters at schools that hold net price down without sacrificing earnings. The median net price here is $18,778, with graduates earning a median of $57,388 ten years after enrollment. Strong results without heavy debt: that combination is the quiet argument for where higher education is headed.
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
Indiana University-Northwest lands at #1 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by social mobility (50/100). Graduates earn a median $48,764 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,567 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 #2
Indiana University-Kokomo lands at #2 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $52,440 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,707 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 #3
Purdue University Northwest lands at #3 with a 83/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $58,620 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,223 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 #4
Ivy Tech Community College lands at #4 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by social mobility (40/100). Graduates earn a median $40,802 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,673 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 #5
Purdue University Global lands at #5 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (70/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $42,322 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,956 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 #6
Indiana University-South Bend lands at #6 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $50,051 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,607 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 #7
Indiana State University lands at #7 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $52,316 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,103 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
Indiana University-East lands at #8 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (73/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $52,038 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,117 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 #9
Indiana University-Indianapolis lands at #9 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $58,990 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,479 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 #10
Indiana University-Southeast lands at #10 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $52,768 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,026 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
Vincennes University lands at #11 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (40/100). Graduates earn a median $44,999 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,093 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
Union Bible College lands at #12 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (95/100) and pulled down by academic quality (67/100). Net price runs $2,534 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 #13
University of Southern Indiana lands at #13 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (66/100). Graduates earn a median $52,206 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,373 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
Purdue University Fort Wayne lands at #14 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (56/100). Graduates earn a median $51,617 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,471 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
Goshen College lands at #15 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $61,420 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,404 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Ball State University lands at #16 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (67/100). Graduates earn a median $56,674 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,877 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 #17
Oakland City University lands at #17 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $53,253 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,557 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Purdue University-Main Campus lands at #18 with a 66/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by social mobility (55/100). Graduates earn a median $80,082 a decade after enrolling, 34% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,851 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 #19
Indiana University-Bloomington lands at #19 with a 64/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (55/100). Graduates earn a median $70,105 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,003 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 #20
Huntington University lands at #20 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $46,983 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,258 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
Winona Lake, IN · 82% accepted · $18,473 net
Why it ranks #21
Grace College and Theological Seminary lands at #21 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $49,160 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,473 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 #22
University of Evansville lands at #22 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $58,943 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,984 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
Fort Wayne, IN · 96% accepted · $18,211 net
Why it ranks #23
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne lands at #23 with a 60/100 composite, led by academic quality (70/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $56,484 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,211 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 #24
Trine University lands at #24 with a 58/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $65,360 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,748 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 #25
DePauw University lands at #25 with a 58/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $77,170 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,916 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Hanover College lands at #26 with a 58/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $59,112 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,095 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 #27
University of Indianapolis lands at #27 with a 57/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $58,791 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,536 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 #28
Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global lands at #28 with a 56/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (71/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $65,692 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,069 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Calumet College of Saint Joseph lands at #29 with a 56/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (63/100) and pulled down by academic quality (40/100). Graduates earn a median $50,059 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,778 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Bethel University lands at #30 with a 56/100 composite, led by academic quality (72/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $54,006 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,971 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Valparaiso University lands at #31 with a 55/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $69,661 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,657 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 #32
Manchester University lands at #32 with a 55/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $60,682 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,763 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
Fort Wayne, IN · $20,111 net
Why it ranks #33
Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies lands at #33 with a 53/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (61/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $47,076 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,111 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 #34
Indiana Institute of Technology lands at #34 with a 52/100 composite, led by social mobility (76/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $47,076 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,171 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 #35
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion lands at #35 with a 52/100 composite, led by academic quality (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $65,692 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,440 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 · $22,507 net
Why it ranks #36
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College lands at #36 with a 52/100 composite, led by social mobility (70/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $47,279 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,507 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 #37
Earlham College lands at #37 with a 52/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $49,427 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,002 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 #38
Wabash College lands at #38 with a 51/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $71,578 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,532 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 #39
Franklin College lands at #39 with a 48/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $61,877 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,343 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 #40
University of Notre Dame lands at #40 with a 48/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $113,124 a decade after enrolling, 89% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,339 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 48/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $64,806 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,459 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
Holy Cross College lands at #42 with a 48/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (68/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $58,101 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,547 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 #43
Anderson University lands at #43 with a 47/100 composite, led by academic quality (66/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $52,590 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,890 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 #44
Saint Mary's College lands at #44 with a 47/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $69,044 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,741 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 #45
Taylor University lands at #45 with a 45/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $58,997 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,508 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 #46
Butler University lands at #46 with a 24/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $83,535 a decade after enrolling, 40% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,499 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
Terre Haute, IN · 77% accepted · $43,360 net
Why it ranks #47
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology lands at #47 with a 13/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $107,683 a decade after enrolling, 80% above this list's average, and net price runs $43,360 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 47 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
When considering colleges in Indiana, affordability often tops the list of priorities for prospective students and their families. The schools highlighted here share a commitment to providing accessible education, with net prices notably lower than the state average. For many, this can make a significant difference in managing student debt while pursuing a degree.
What sets these affordable institutions apart are the tangible outcomes they offer. We see a range of graduation rates and post-graduation earnings, which can help students make informed choices about their future. For instance, the top five schools listed below show a mix of earnings potential and debt levels, giving a clearer picture of what to expect after graduation.
Take Indiana University-Kokomo and Indiana University-Northwest as examples. While Kokomo has a lower net price of $3,968 and a 45% graduation rate, Northwest offers a higher debt level of $21,710 and a graduating class with lower earnings at $43,361. This illustrates how vital it is to weigh both costs and outcomes when making a decision.
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 22 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1%. Trine University leads the group at 2%, with Wabash College (1.7%) and Vincennes University (1.7%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 5.1% 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 23.9% 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 1.56 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
Interestingly, Indiana University-Kokomo outshines Indiana University-Northwest in both earnings and debt management. With a net price of $3,968, Kokomo graduates earn an average of $49,917, while Northwest, with a higher net price of $5,130, sees its graduates earning only $43,361. This discrepancy highlights the importance of not just affordability, but also the return on investment for students.
After sifting through 50 schools, it's essential to narrow down your choices based on what matters most to you. Consider factors like location, specific programs that suit your career goals, and the overall campus environment. These elements can significantly impact your college experience and future success, so weigh them carefully against the financial data.
The journey from college to a stable life hinges on these decisions. For families, the choice of an affordable college means not just minimizing debt but also positioning students for rewarding careers. As we see from the data, the right school can pave the way toward a solid financial future without the burden of overwhelming student loans.
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
Most Affordable Colleges in Indiana: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Most Affordable Colleges in Indiana ranking? +
Indiana University-Northwest in Gary, IN ranks #1 in our 2026 Most Affordable Colleges in Indiana ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $48,764 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 37% 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: $113,124 ten years after enrollment, well above the $59,771 average across the 46 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 $58,620 against net price of about $6,223 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 95%, 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 $17,650 a year across the 47 ranked schools with cost data. Union Bible College is among the most affordable at roughly $2,534. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Most Affordable 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 47 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
