Indiana Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Indiana College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Indiana institutions.
Top Indiana Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University Bloomington | Public 4-yr | $11,790 | $40,478 | 36,500 |
| Purdue University | Public 4-yr | $9,992 | $28,794 | 38,000 |
| IUPUI / IU Indianapolis | Public 4-yr | $10,688 | $32,850 | 20,400 |
| Ball State University | Public 4-yr | $9,208 | $25,948 | 14,700 |
| Indiana State University | Public 4-yr | $9,800 | $19,598 | 8,600 |
| University of Southern Indiana | Public 4-yr | $8,974 | $20,974 | 6,800 |
| Notre Dame | Private | $64,775 | $64,775 | 9,000 |
| Butler University | Private | $48,540 | $48,540 | 4,700 |
| DePauw University | Private | $61,100 | $61,100 | 1,800 |
| Ivy Tech Community College | Community | $4,400 | $8,800 | 170,000 |
Indiana State-Funded Aid Programs
Indiana State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE) and INvestEd.
21st Century Scholars
Full tuition at IN public colleges for income-eligible IN students who enroll in 7th/8th grade and meet academic pledge.
Frank O'Bannon Grant
Need-based grant for IN residents at eligible IN institutions.
Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship
For IN residents with 3.5+ GPA pursuing teaching careers who commit to teach in IN.
William A. Crawford Minority Teacher Scholarship
For IN minority and special education teachers in training.
Indiana National Guard Supplemental Grant
For active IN National Guard members attending eligible IN schools.
Student Loan Options for Indiana Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Indiana have a state student loan program?
Yes. Indiana offers the INvestEd Student Loan — a state-affiliated nonprofit lender. INvestEd is an Indiana-based nonprofit student loan provider offering fixed-rate loans with no application or origination fees. Available to IN residents and to non-residents attending IN schools. Indiana residents should still start with federal loans through the FAFSA, but the INvestEd is worth comparing alongside national private lenders.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Indiana state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
One form, prequalified offers from multiple private lenders. Shop rates without multiple hard credit pulls.
Compare Rates at Credible →College Ave
Flexible term lengths, no application or origination fees, and fast decisions.
Get A Quote At College Ave →Sallie Mae
Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Indiana students and families.
How much does college cost in Indiana?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Indiana public four-year universities is about $9,800 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $24,300 on campus for Indiana residents and $38,100 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Indiana?
Indiana borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $33,200. Total outstanding federal student debt for Indiana residents is approximately $28.6 billion.
Does Indiana offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. Indiana administers 21st Century Scholars (full tuition for income-eligible students), Frank O'Bannon Grant (up to $9,500 per year, need-based), Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, and the National Guard Supplemental Grant.
Does Indiana have a state student loan program?
Yes. INvestEd Student Loan is a state-affiliated nonprofit lender serving Indiana residents. INvestEd is an Indiana-based nonprofit student loan provider offering fixed-rate loans with no application or origination fees. Available to IN residents and to non-residents attending IN schools.
Which Indiana colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
Ivy Tech Community College averages $4,400 per year. Among four-year publics, University of Southern Indiana is lowest at $8,974, followed by Ball State. Purdue is among the least expensive flagships in the country at $9,992 in-state.
What scholarships are available for Indiana residents?
Key awards include 21st Century Scholars, Frank O'Bannon Grant, Next Gen Hoosier Educators, INvestEd nonprofit loans, and the Crawford Minority Teacher Scholarship. Notre Dame offers substantial need-based institutional aid.
Related Indiana Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at Indiana public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- ICHE and INvestEd program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Clint Proctor Reviewed by: Chris Muller