The Best Online Colleges in Indiana
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The Hoosier State offers a wide variety of degree programs for online college students.
The future success of the workforce in Indiana largely depends on higher education. Students can choose from more than 60 colleges and universities in the state, including some of the top-ranked schools in the nation, but educational attainment still lags behind the national average.
In response, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education developed an initiative to have 60% of its working-age adults earn higher education credentials by 2025. The state committed to improving access to both on-campus and online colleges in Indiana, enhancing practical program offerings, and increasing support for schools and students.
Indiana students now attend state colleges at higher rates and receive more financial aid than ever before, while also experiencing some of the country’s lowest tuition increases. Prospective learners benefit from this renewed support for higher education, but they still need to research the best schools and programs to make informed educational decisions. To help, we put together this ranking of and guide to the best colleges in Indiana.
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The Best Online Colleges in Indiana
Indiana University-Bloomington
Bloomington, IN- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,575
- Out-of-state$35,140
- In-State$9,501
- Out-of-state$31,932
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled43,260
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment19%
- AccreditationYes
Ball State University
- Muncie, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,358
- Out-of-state$26,138
- In-State$8,850
- Out-of-state$21,954
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled22,443
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
Huntington University
- Huntington, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$25,956
- Out-of-state$25,956
- In-State$11,064
- Out-of-state$11,064
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled1,384
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment19%
- AccreditationYes
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion
- Marion, IN
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$27,296
- Out-of-state$27,296
- In-State$13,440
- Out-of-state$13,440
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate67%
- Students Enrolled3,165
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment19%
- AccreditationYes
Indiana State University
- Terre Haute, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,036
- Out-of-state$19,960
- In-State$7,542
- Out-of-state$14,814
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled12,144
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment47%
- AccreditationYes
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis
- Indianapolis, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,580
- Out-of-state$29,589
- In-State$8,826
- Out-of-state$24,144
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled29,537
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment41%
- AccreditationYes
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
- Saint Mary of the Woods, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$29,950
- Out-of-state$29,950
- In-State$12,780
- Out-of-state$12,780
- Retention Rate66%
- Acceptance Rate67%
- Students Enrolled1,094
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment32%
- AccreditationYes
Indiana Institute of Technology
- Fort Wayne, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$26,990
- Out-of-state$26,990
- In-State$10,026
- Out-of-state$10,026
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance Rate60%
- Students Enrolled2,223
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment36%
- AccreditationYes
Trine University
- Angola, IN
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$32,330
- Out-of-state$32,330
- In-State$39,450
- Out-of-state$39,450
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate82%
- Students Enrolled3,970
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment22%
- AccreditationYes
Indiana University-East
- Richmond, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,895
- Out-of-state$19,346
- In-State$7,264
- Out-of-state$17,113
- Retention Rate63%
- Acceptance Rate63%
- Students Enrolled3,766
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment79%
- AccreditationYes
University of Southern Indiana
- Evansville, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,986
- Out-of-state$19,296
- In-State$9,486
- Out-of-state$18,528
- Retention Rate67%
- Acceptance Rate93%
- Students Enrolled10,705
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne
- Fort Wayne, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$30,380
- Out-of-state$30,380
- In-State$9,450
- Out-of-state$9,450
- Retention Rate69%
- Acceptance Rate96%
- Students Enrolled2,249
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment45%
- AccreditationYes
Grace College and Theological Seminary
- Winona Lake, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$24,078
- Out-of-state$24,078
- In-State$7,386
- Out-of-state$7,386
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled1,957
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment20%
- AccreditationYes
Oakland City University
- Oakland City, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$24,300
- Out-of-state$24,300
- In-State$8,100
- Out-of-state$8,100
- Retention Rate67%
- Acceptance Rate55%
- Students Enrolled1,435
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment10%
- AccreditationYes
Marian University
- Indianapolis, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$35,000
- Out-of-state$35,000
- In-State$21,772
- Out-of-state$21,772
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate62%
- Students Enrolled3,519
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment31%
- AccreditationYes
Best Online Programs
Colleges in Indiana
2022
Online Colleges in Indiana Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
Employment in Indiana
The employment outlook for Indiana appears quite strong, particularly when compared to the rest of the country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the state’s 4.2% unemployment rate is January 2021 was 2% lower than the average rate for the nation. The state also attracts new and future workers with its cost of living index, which is nearly 20 points lower than the national average.
Individuals seeking employment in the state’s major industries enjoy an even better career outlook. Indiana ranks in the top 10 employment states for agricultural product sales, has one of the fastest-growing technology sectors, and is a national leader in life sciences jobs and exports.
Targeting a growing field with your degree can improve employment chances significantly. Students should consider how their strengths and interests align with state trends and choose a discipline that satisfies both.
The following section highlights the highest-paying and most common jobs in Indiana, including a few of the highest-paying roles employing more than 1,000 individuals in the state. Salary information refers specifically to Indiana, while job growth data pertains to the entire United States.
| Career | Annual Mean Salary (2019) | Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) | Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dentists | $178,750 | 3% | Doctoral degree |
| Chief Executives | $161,410 | 4% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Sales Managers | $127,140 | 4% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $126,150 | 3% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $126,030 | 10% | Bachelor’s degree |
The following data reflects the highest-paying roles that employ more than 7,500 professionals in Indiana. Salary figures apply specifically to Indiana, while job growth data refers to the United States as a whole.
| Career | Annual Mean Salary (2019) | Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) | Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicians | $244,980 | 4% | Doctoral degree |
| Financial Managers | $118,370 | 15% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Lawyers | $111,790 | 4% | Doctoral degree |
| General and Operations Managers | $110,480 | 6% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $102,300 | 32% | Bachelor’s degree |
Online Associate and Graduate Degrees
Online degrees provide schedule flexibility and accessibility for many students. Online training allows learners to combine work and study in ways that on-campus programs may not. As the COVID-19 situation halted the vast majority of campus programs across the country, online learning allowed schools and students to continue with their studies from a safe distance.
Online training has expanded substantially amid the pandemic, with schools increasing their program quantity, quality, and support resources. In Indiana, this trend holds true: The Indiana University systems increased entirely online programs 46% in 2020.
Indiana students have access to hundreds of online programs across education levels, including more than 170 degrees at Indiana University alone. Learners can complete individual online courses or earn an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree entirely online. Some available online disciplines include health sciences, business, and computer science. These degrees provide the same training and credentials as their on-campus counterparts.
Online programs feature asynchronous or synchronous classes, allowing students to complete coursework on their own time or through a set schedule. Online programs may also offer more accessible support resources, innovative assignments, and unique collaborative efforts through modern technologies.
