In 2012, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE) released a plan to have 60% of working-age adults in the state hold postsecondary credentials such as an associate degree, bachelor's degree, or professional certificate. The linchpin of the project was the state's online programs due to their convenience and quick time to completion.
The ICHE reached out to colleges and universities, asking them to support the initiative by offering more online programs and more distance services. Today, 34 schools throughout the state participate in the program, a testament to how the state and its schools share a commitment to online learning.
Before we look at the best online colleges in Indiana for 2018, let's consider how both higher education and online education fare in the state today.
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Overview of Online Colleges in Indiana
A Brief Overview of Higher Education in Indiana
With 84 degree granting institutions, Indiana boasts the 18th highest number of colleges and universities in the country. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Indiana hosts 16 public colleges, 40 nonprofit private schools, and 28 for-profit institutions. Additional data provided by the NCES shows that 419,203 learners enrolled in these schools during the 2016-2017 school year, down approximately 8% from attendance in 2011.As with other locations throughout the United States, tuition for both brick-and-mortar and online schools in Indiana continues to rise, yet the state remains cheaper than many other regions of the U.S. According to CollegeBoard, individuals attending public community colleges and trade schools in Indiana during 2017-2018 paid an average of $4,556 per academic year in tuition and fees, while those attending public four-year schools paid $9,361. At the state's flagship institution, Indiana University Bloomington, in-state learners paid $10,553 in 2017-2018, while out-of-state students paid $34,845. For students attending college in Indiana, the state provides a range of need-based and non-need-based aid to help alleviate costs. According to the National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs, Indiana learners received a total of $323,477,035 in support during the 2015-2016 school year.
Higher Education in Indiana
Featured Online Programs
The State of Online Higher Education in Indiana
Online learning continues to increase in the state, with approximately 123,000 learners — or 28.7% of all Indiana students — enrolled in at least one distance education class as of 2015. Students completing all their classes through online colleges in Indiana totaled more than 53,000, with 37,387 enrolled at the undergraduate level and 16,449 enrolled at the graduate level. According to data from the Distance Education State Almanac, approximately 63% of distance learners hail from Indiana, while 35% come from outside the state and a further 2% take courses from outside the country. Many students elect to mix campus-based and online courses. Approximately 375,550 — or 87.5% of all learners — take advantage of both learning styles.[dataviz-nces online="12.5" undergrad="30" in-state="63"]The Indiana College Network (ICN) is at the forefront of distance learning support for the state. The network consists of 35 public and private Indiana schools, all of which offer varying degrees of online courses and programs. ICN describes itself as a "match-making" service, pairing students to the many distance learning opportunities the state has to offer. In addition, the site features a host of resources introducing students to the basics of online education and tools they can use once they begin their coursework.Indiana is also one of twelve states to honor the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC). Through this Compact, students enrolled at public colleges in member states can take advantage of non-resident tuition breaks, a greater selection of courses, and a simplified transfer process. This agreement, which opens many doors for distance students in the Midwest, including many online colleges in IN.
Tuition Breaks for Out-of-State Students
Tuition is the highest cost associated with higher education, especially for those who have their hearts set on out-of-state schools. Fortunately, numerous opportunities exist to help students access these schools without breaking the bank. Working in partnership with other states' departments of education, the Midwestern Higher Education Compact increases access to higher education for more students, regardless of whether or not they hail from Indiana.The Midwest Student Exchange Program allows students to attend an out-of-state Midwest school at a reduced cost. As of 2018, 10 states participate in this voluntary program. Participants include Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Through this program, public colleges and universities charge no more than 150% of what in-state learners pay. Private schools also provide a 10% tuition reduction. Savings vary for each student, but most save $500-$5,000 annually. Because individual schools set rules about participation, students should check with their prospective institution to ensure they meet requirements. These states are part of the MESP
Best Online Colleges in Indiana
Below, you will find our rankings of the best online four-year programs in Indiana. Our profiles look at how schools approach online education and then list out their services for distance students and their popular, fully online degrees. After reviewing the best online schools in Indiana, explore our state resources, including a database of every college and university in Indiana or our index of popular in-state scholarships.
Ranking Methodology
To determine the best online colleges in each state, we examined the factors most important to prospective students: Academic quality and reputation, online program strength, and cost and student aid. At the most basic level, we use the following formula to determine the best online colleges: Academic Quality + Online Offerings + Cost and Student Aid = Final Score. Of course, there's more to these calculations than meets the eye. Visit our methodology page to discover the data points that shape our formula and to learn more about the process we use to rank schools.
Most Affordable Online Colleges in Indiana
Below you'll find another listing of the top online schools in Indiana, sorted by their tuition rate.
Affordability Methodology
Our list of the most affordable online colleges is based on in-state yearly tuition, or annual tuition rates if a school does not differentiate between in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition rates are based on a full course load each semester or term. All colleges on the list offer at least one bachelor's degree completion program available entirely online.The online schools in IN with the lowest tuition are ranked highest, providing prospective students with a true list of the most affordable online colleges in their state.
College Graduate Outlook in Indiana
Job Outlook for College Graduates in Indiana
Before spending significant money on higher education, many prospective students want to know that a college degree is a sound investment. According to data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Indiana enjoys a low unemployment rate of just 3.2%, compared to the national average of 3.9%. The mean annual wage for all occupations, regardless of education attained or level of experience, sits at $43,950 in 2018. Depending on the area of work they plan to pursue and how many degrees they attain, graduates from online colleges in Indiana can expect to earn salaries far higher than this number.In Indiana, a number of industries demonstrated strong growth over the previous 12-month period. According to the BLS, these include mining and logging; trade, transportation, and utilities; financial activities; and professional and business services. While many jobs within these sectors did not previously require postsecondary education, sustained competition for roles means that candidates who possess degrees often receive more job offers.
Fastest Growing Jobs in Indiana
OccupationJob Growth RateAverage Annual SalaryJobs in 2024Occupational Therapy Assistant143.38%$59,3801,290Biomedical Engineer140.0%$78,7101,610Home Health Aide139.5%$22,82018,930Web Developer139.1%$59,0803,200Physical Therapist Assistant137.8%$55,9502,480Source: Indiana Department of Labor/BLS