New Report Ranks Top 10 Colleges and Universities in Indiana

To get the results for its report of 2026’s Best Colleges & Universities, the analysts at WalletHub compared nearly 800 institutions across America. The data was separated into seven categories, which include Student Selectivity, Cost & Financing, and Career Outcomes.

Take a look at the full report if you want to know about the rest of the country, AND to learn the difference between a college and a university.

The Top 10 Colleges and Universities in Indiana

I am more interested in knowing how Indiana’s colleges and universities rank. For students considering schools in the Hoosier State, here’s a look at the top 10 colleges and universities in Indiana:

1. University of Notre Dame (18^th nationwide)
2. DePauw University (93^rd nationwide)
3. Purdue University-Main Campus (101^st nationwide)
4. Wabash College (126^th nationwide)
5. Earlham College (196^th nationwide)
6. Taylor University (241^st nationwide)
7. Ball State University (251^st nationwide)
8. Indiana University-Bloomington (274^th nationwide)
9. Saint Mary’s College (294^th nationwide)
10. Butler University (302^nd nationwide)

Surprising Indiana Omissions from the List

There is a total of 17 Indiana schools included in the WalletHub report, but I was surprised by the schools I did NOT see. Several smaller schools made the cut, some I’ve never even heard of, but surprisingly, no schools from here in the southern part of the state. No mention of the University of Evansville, the University of Southern Indiana, or even Indiana State University.

It’s clear that whether you’re looking for a large research university, a tight-knit liberal arts college, or a school with strong career outcomes, Indiana offers a variety of options.