Indianapolis, Indiana Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Indianapolis, Indiana shows: median public in-state tuition $13,200 (+139.5% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $56,978 (+4.9% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 92.6% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $16,500 (+22.8% vs U.S.) 86,148 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 26 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 86,148 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $13,200 (+139.5% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $56,978 (+4.9% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 92.6% (+4.7 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $20,262 (+103.3% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $16,500 (+22.8% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $14,004
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 55.1%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 74.0%
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Overview
EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in Indianapolis, Indiana—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against Indiana and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Indianapolis vs Indiana & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis, Indiana | $13,200 | $20,262 | $16,500 | 55.1% | 86,148 |
| Indiana (state median) | $6,518 | $9,763 | $16,712 | 53.4% | 309,215 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Indianapolis, Indiana vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis, Indiana | $56,978 | 92.6% | 74.0% | 4.3% | — | 69.6% | 0.41 |
| Indiana (state median) | $51,943 | 91.8% | 75.6% | 4.6% | — | 72.5% | 0.45 |
| United States | $54,323 | 87.9% | 76.3% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Indiana (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis, Indiana | $13,200 | $20,262 | $16,500 | 55.1% | 86,148 | $56,978 | 92.6% |
| Bloomington | $8,649 | $19,058 | $10,727 | 80.2% | 37,915 | $63,742 | 92.5% |
| Bloomington | $8,649 | $19,058 | $10,727 | 80.2% | 37,915 | $63,742 | 92.5% |
| Muncie | $8,118 | $17,113 | $10,114 | 62.3% | 14,051 | $51,833 | 94.4% |
| Fort Wayne | $10,329 | $19,592 | $20,500 | 42.0% | 11,584 | $47,327 | 89.3% |
| Notre Dame | $53,230 | $26,728 | $24,000 | 72.9% | 10,915 | $59,354 | 92.5% |
| Marion | $8,208 | $19,882 | $24,250 | 50.8% | 8,630 | $59,986 | 91.8% |
| Marion | $8,208 | $19,882 | $24,250 | 50.8% | 8,630 | $59,986 | 91.8% |
| Terre Haute | $10,258 | $17,560 | $17,364 | 60.5% | 8,585 | $74,820 | 93.8% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 | $54,323 | 87.9% |
Outcomes by sector in Indianapolis, Indiana
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private nonprofit | 3 | $58,759 | 92.9% | 75.9% | 4.2% | — | 70.2% |
Top 10 colleges in Indianapolis, Indiana by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 80.4%, Butler University
Butler University
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Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 67.2%, Marian University
Marian University
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Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 55.8%, University of Indianapolis
University of Indianapolis
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Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 54.4%, Indiana University-Indianapolis
Indiana University-Indianapolis
Top 10 colleges in Indianapolis, Indiana by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 94.9%, Butler University
Butler University
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 92.9%, Marian University
Marian University
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Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 92.3%, University of Indianapolis
University of Indianapolis
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Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 91.1%, Indiana University-Indianapolis
Indiana University-Indianapolis
Top 10 most selective colleges in Indianapolis, Indiana (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 66.5%, University of Indianapolis
University of Indianapolis
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Rank 2, Admission Rate, 76.4%, Indiana University-Indianapolis
Indiana University-Indianapolis
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Rank 3, Admission Rate, 85.1%, Butler University
Butler University
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Rank 4, Admission Rate, 95.5%, Marian University
Marian University
Top 10 colleges in Indianapolis, Indiana by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $73,122, Indiana University-Indianapolis
Indiana University-Indianapolis
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Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $71,248, University of Indianapolis
University of Indianapolis
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Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $71,111, Marian University
Marian University
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Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $60,438, Butler University
Butler University
Top 10 colleges in Indianapolis, Indiana by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $97,841, Indiana University-Indianapolis
Indiana University-Indianapolis
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Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $93,584, Butler University
Butler University
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Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $86,923, University of Indianapolis
University of Indianapolis
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Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $81,706, Marian University
Marian University
Top 10 colleges in Indianapolis, Indiana by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $61,627, Butler University
Butler University
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $55,704, Marian University
Marian University
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Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $47,173, Indiana University-Indianapolis
Indiana University-Indianapolis
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Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $46,452, University of Indianapolis
University of Indianapolis
Top 10 colleges in Indianapolis, Indiana by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $71,943, Butler University
Butler University
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $56,234, Marian University
Marian University
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Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $51,116, University of Indianapolis
University of Indianapolis
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Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $50,780, Indiana University-Indianapolis
Indiana University-Indianapolis
Top 10 colleges in Indianapolis, Indiana by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $77,235, Butler University
Butler University
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $58,759, Marian University
Marian University
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Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $55,198, Indiana University-Indianapolis
Indiana University-Indianapolis
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Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $53,610, University of Indianapolis
University of Indianapolis
Top 10 colleges in Indianapolis, Indiana by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $198,076, Indiana University-Indianapolis
Indiana University-Indianapolis
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $166,192, Marian University
Marian University
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $159,819, Butler University
Butler University
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Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $158,585, University of Indianapolis
University of Indianapolis
Top 10 most affordable colleges in Indianapolis, Indiana (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $11,668, Indiana University-Indianapolis
Indiana University-Indianapolis
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Rank 2, Net Price, $21,602, University of Indianapolis
University of Indianapolis
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Rank 3, Net Price, $24,018, Marian University
Marian University
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Rank 4, Net Price, $36,041, Butler University
Butler University
Top 10 colleges in Indianapolis, Indiana by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 87.5%, Butler University
Butler University
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Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 75.9%, Marian University
Marian University
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Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 72.2%, Indiana University-Indianapolis
Indiana University-Indianapolis
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Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 71.0%, University of Indianapolis
University of Indianapolis
In-state tuition: Indianapolis, Indiana vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Indianapolis, Indiana median in-state tuition is $13,200, +139.5% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Indianapolis, Indiana vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Indianapolis, Indiana is $16,500 (+22.8% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $14,004.
Median earnings (10 years out): Indianapolis, Indiana vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Indianapolis, Indiana center around $56,978 (+4.9% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Indianapolis, Indiana vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 92.6% at the median Indianapolis, Indiana campus (+4.7 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Indianapolis, Indiana median public in-state tuition is $13,200, about +139.5% vs the national median. Versus the Great Lakes region, tuition is +134.7%.
Median graduate debt is $16,500 (+22.8% above the U.S. median of $13,432). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Indianapolis, Indiana are $56,978, about +4.9% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).
The median campus reports 92.6% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 87.9% (+4.7 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 74.0% vs a U.S. median of 76.3%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 4.3% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 69.6% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Butler University (94.9%), Marian University (92.9%), University of Indianapolis (92.3%), Indiana University-Indianapolis (91.1%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within Indianapolis, Indiana, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $58,759 (3 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Indianapolis, Indiana is 55.1% (national institution average about 50.3%).
FAQ
How many colleges are in Indianapolis?
EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 26 campuses in Indianapolis, Indiana with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Indianapolis?
EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in Indianapolis is $13,200 and median net price is $20,262. For Indiana overall, medians are $6,518 and $9,763; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.
What do graduates earn in Indianapolis?
EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in Indianapolis is $56,978 vs $51,943 for Indiana and $54,323 nationally.
What is student debt like for Indianapolis colleges?
EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in Indianapolis is $16,500 vs $16,712 for Indiana and $13,432 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Indianapolis?
EDsmart Data analysis: top campuses on this page include Butler University (graduation) and Butler University (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Indianapolis?
EDsmart Data analysis: among 26 campuses in Indianapolis, Indiana, 4 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (1), United Methodist (1), Roman Catholic (1).
Sources & related
- Indiana college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON