Value Analysis · Indiana
Best Value Degrees in Indiana (2026)
Top 100 of 681 programs in Indiana · Updated 2026
The best college programs in Indiana, ranked by overall value. We scored 681 programs across Indiana schools on earnings, AI resilience, job demand, and tuition ROI. The top programs average $67,770/yr in graduate earnings.
Purdue CS: A Direct Pipeline to High-Tech Careers
Purdue's #1 Computer Science program isn't just a degree; it's an entry point into the national tech ecosystem. The university's powerhouse reputation in engineering and its West Lafayette Discovery Park District—a hub for companies like Rolls-Royce and Saab—create a direct pipeline for internships and full-time offers. This is why graduates command starting salaries near $95,000 and deliver a massive 36.4x return on investment, making it the clear leader in value.
The Regional Powerhouse: How IU-Southeast Outperforms Expectations
It's easy to focus on flagship campuses, but Indiana University-Southeast's #7 spot proves regional schools can deliver elite value. By combining the lower four-year tuition of a regional campus ($32,716) with direct access to the Louisville metropolitan area's job market, its Computer Science graduates achieve an exceptional 31.9x ROI. This program is a prime example of how a strategic location and affordable cost structure can create an outcome that punches well above its weight class.
Navigating the AI Gauntlet in Tech and Healthcare
With 63% of these top programs facing high AI exposure, your job will be different, not gone. For Computer Science (#1), AI is automating routine coding, meaning your value will come from architecting complex systems and evaluating AI output, not just writing basic functions. For Nursing—a dominant field in the top 20—AI will handle administrative work like charting, freeing you for the critical thinking and hands-on patient care that algorithms can't replicate.
Public Power: Why Indiana's State Schools Dominate the Value Rankings
The data reveals a clear pattern: Indiana's public universities are the undisputed champions of value, claiming 19 of the top 20 spots. This isn't an accident. The state's robust Purdue and Indiana University systems provide elite, in-demand programs like Computer Science and Nursing at a fraction of the cost of private peers. For Indiana residents, this creates an unparalleled opportunity to access high-ROI careers without incurring overwhelming debt.
Programs in IN
681
Avg Earnings (Top 100)
$67,770/yr
Avg DW Score
78/100
#1 Program
Computer Science
Purdue University-Main Campus
Top Institutions
Leading the field for Best Degrees in Indiana
The top four programs by DegreeOutlook Score. Full ranking of 100 programs below.
The Ranking Matrix
Top Programs in Indiana
Top 100 programs by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any row for full analysis.
Sort by
| # | Program | DW Score | Earnings | AI Risk | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Computer Science
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
90
83–91
|
$94,786/yr | Very High | 36.4x |
| 2 |
Nursing
Purdue University Global · West Lafayette, IN
|
89
86–89
|
$78,468/yr | High | 23.0x |
| 3 |
Management Science
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
88
84–89
|
$70,903/yr | Very High | 24.3x |
| 4 |
Nursing
Purdue University Northwest · Hammond, IN
|
88
85–88
|
$77,691/yr | High | 24.0x |
| 5 |
Nursing
Indiana University-Kokomo · Kokomo, IN
|
87
84–87
|
$74,172/yr | High | 24.3x |
| 6 |
Computer Science
Indiana University-Bloomington · Bloomington, IN
|
87
80–89
|
$77,909/yr | Very High | 22.3x |
| 7 |
Computer Science
Indiana University-Southeast · New Albany, IN
|
87
80–89
|
$72,634/yr | Very High | 31.9x |
| 8 |
Information Sciences
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
87
80–88
|
$72,132/yr | Very High | 22.7x |
| 9 |
Nursing
Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global · Marion, IN
|
87
84–87
|
$73,557/yr | High | 24.2x |
| 10 |
Management Science
Ball State University · Muncie, IN
|
86
82–87
|
$67,350/yr | Very High | 20.9x |
| 11 |
Nursing
Indiana University-Northwest · Gary, IN
|
86
83–85
|
$73,335/yr | High | 22.5x |
| 12 |
Nursing
Indiana University-East · Richmond, IN
|
86
83–86
|
$72,491/yr | High | 23.4x |
| 13 |
Computer Engineering
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
86
80–88
|
$89,965/yr | Very High | 28.5x |
| 14 |
Nursing
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
86
84–86
|
$71,759/yr | High | 20.8x |
| 15 |
Nursing
Indiana State University · Terre Haute, IN
|
84
82–84
|
$72,381/yr | High | 18.3x |
| 16 |
Nursing
Indiana University-South Bend · South Bend, IN
|
84
82–83
|
$67,253/yr | High | 21.8x |
| 17 |
Business
Indiana University-Bloomington · Bloomington, IN
|
84
80–84
|
$71,100/yr | High | 21.4x |
| 18 |
Nursing
Indiana University-Southeast · New Albany, IN
|
84
83–84
|
$66,302/yr | High | 22.8x |
| 19 |
Nursing
Vincennes University · Vincennes, IN
|
84
82–83
|
$62,778/yr | High | 26.2x |
| 20 |
Accounting
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
84
81–85
|
$63,021/yr | Very High | 21.1x |
| 21 |
Nursing
Purdue University Fort Wayne · Fort Wayne, IN
|
83
81–83
|
$70,046/yr | High | 18.7x |
| 22 |
Computer Science
Indiana University-Indianapolis · Indianapolis, IN
|
83
77–85
|
$67,181/yr | Very High | 20.1x |
| 23 |
Computer Engineering
Indiana University-Indianapolis · Indianapolis, IN
|
83
77–84
|
$71,986/yr | Very High | 22.2x |
| 24 |
Nursing
University of Southern Indiana · Evansville, IN
|
83
80–82
|
$68,945/yr | High | 17.3x |
| 25 |
Information Sciences
Indiana University-Bloomington · Bloomington, IN
|
83
77–84
|
$62,350/yr | Very High | 18.2x |
| 26 |
Information Sciences
Ball State University · Muncie, IN
|
82
76–83
|
$59,249/yr | Very High | 19.0x |
| 27 |
Nursing
Ball State University · Muncie, IN
|
82
79–82
|
$73,719/yr | High | 15.4x |
| 28 |
Nursing
Indiana University-Indianapolis · Indianapolis, IN
|
82
80–82
|
$68,136/yr | High | 16.8x |
| 29 |
Management Science
Indiana State University · Terre Haute, IN
|
82
78–82
|
$67,267/yr | Very High | 17.1x |
| 30 |
Computer Science
Indiana University-South Bend · South Bend, IN
|
82
75–83
|
$53,743/yr | Very High | 27.0x |
| 31 |
Nursing
Indiana University-Bloomington · Bloomington, IN
|
82
79–81
|
$71,458/yr | High | 14.7x |
| 32 |
Nursing
Chamberlain University-Indiana · Indianapolis, IN
|
82
79–82
|
$83,188/yr | High | 10.8x |
| 33 |
Finance
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
81
79–83
|
$59,938/yr | Very High | 18.7x |
| 34 |
Sales & Marketing
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
81
77–82
|
$62,580/yr | High | 22.1x |
| 35 |
Information Sciences
Indiana University-Indianapolis · Indianapolis, IN
|
80
74–81
|
$54,564/yr | Very High | 18.7x |
| 36 |
Information Sciences
Purdue University Global · West Lafayette, IN
|
80
74–81
|
$61,977/yr | Very High | 17.2x |
| 37 |
Computer Science
University of Southern Indiana · Evansville, IN
|
79
71–80
|
$55,597/yr | Very High | 18.1x |
| 38 |
Construction Management
Indiana State University · Terre Haute, IN
|
79
76–80
|
$72,379/yr | High | 18.1x |
| 39 |
Information Sciences
University of Notre Dame · Notre Dame, IN
|
79
73–80
|
$96,517/yr | Very High | 4.9x |
| 40 |
Finance
University of Notre Dame · Notre Dame, IN
|
79
76–81
|
$99,222/yr | Very High | 4.5x |
| 41 |
Computer Science
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology · Terre Haute, IN
|
79
72–80
|
$100,294/yr | Very High | 5.9x |
| 42 |
Business Administration
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
79
73–80
|
$57,106/yr | High | 20.3x |
| 43 |
Business Administration
Ball State University · Muncie, IN
|
78
72–78
|
$60,526/yr | High | 17.0x |
| 44 |
Accounting
Ball State University · Muncie, IN
|
78
75–80
|
$56,101/yr | Very High | 16.0x |
| 45 |
Economics
Indiana University-Bloomington · Bloomington, IN
|
78
74–79
|
$59,142/yr | Very High | 17.4x |
| 46 |
Economics
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
78
74–79
|
$59,187/yr | Very High | 19.3x |
| 47 |
Business Administration
Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global · Marion, IN
|
78
72–78
|
$58,880/yr | High | 20.4x |
| 48 |
Accounting
Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global · Marion, IN
|
78
75–80
|
$57,029/yr | Very High | 19.1x |
| 49 |
Accounting
Purdue University Northwest · Hammond, IN
|
77
74–78
|
$49,993/yr | Very High | 19.4x |
| 50 |
Electrical Engineering
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
76
72–77
|
$84,300/yr | Very High | 23.0x |
| 51 |
Mechanical Engineering
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
76
73–78
|
$80,374/yr | Very High | 23.4x |
| 52 |
Finance
Ball State University · Muncie, IN
|
75
73–77
|
$50,077/yr | Very High | 15.2x |
| 53 |
Allied Health Professions
Indiana University-Indianapolis · Indianapolis, IN
|
75
74–74
|
$71,505/yr | Moderate | 18.1x |
| 54 |
Nursing
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion · Marion, IN
|
75
72–75
|
$73,557/yr | High | 5.6x |
| 55 |
Computer Engineering
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology · Terre Haute, IN
|
75
68–76
|
$92,123/yr | Very High | 4.5x |
| 56 |
Aerospace Engineering
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
75
73–75
|
$71,989/yr | High | 23.5x |
| 57 |
Chemical Engineering
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
75
72–76
|
$81,105/yr | High | 22.8x |
| 58 |
Industrial Engineering
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
75
73–76
|
$81,379/yr | High | 24.1x |
| 59 |
Electrical Engineering
Purdue University Northwest · Hammond, IN
|
75
71–77
|
$79,917/yr | Very High | 25.9x |
| 60 |
Electrical Engineering
Indiana University-Indianapolis · Indianapolis, IN
|
74
71–76
|
$73,122/yr | Very High | 23.1x |
| 61 |
Business Administration
Indiana University-Indianapolis · Indianapolis, IN
|
74
68–75
|
$53,101/yr | High | 16.0x |
| 62 |
Accounting
University of Southern Indiana · Evansville, IN
|
74
71–76
|
$49,170/yr | Very High | 15.5x |
| 63 |
Accounting
Indiana State University · Terre Haute, IN
|
74
71–76
|
$50,935/yr | Very High | 15.2x |
| 64 |
Business
Indiana University-East · Richmond, IN
|
74
69–74
|
$54,860/yr | High | 17.8x |
| 65 |
Accounting
University of Notre Dame · Notre Dame, IN
|
74
71–76
|
$76,878/yr | Very High | 3.4x |
| 66 |
Nursing
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne · Fort Wayne, IN
|
74
71–74
|
$74,478/yr | High | 4.8x |
| 67 |
Computer Science
Taylor University · Upland, IN
|
74
67–75
|
$77,081/yr | Very High | 4.9x |
| 68 |
Civil Engineering
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
74
72–76
|
$74,369/yr | High | 20.4x |
| 69 |
Fire Protection
Purdue University Global · West Lafayette, IN
|
74
69–74
|
$89,622/yr | Moderate | 20.6x |
| 70 |
Mechanical Engineering
Purdue University Northwest · Hammond, IN
|
74
71–75
|
$68,632/yr | Very High | 25.5x |
| 71 |
Computer Science
DePauw University · Greencastle, IN
|
73
66–74
|
$70,026/yr | Very High | 3.7x |
| 72 |
Business
Indiana University-Indianapolis · Indianapolis, IN
|
73
68–74
|
$52,467/yr | High | 15.1x |
| 73 |
Finance
Indiana State University · Terre Haute, IN
|
73
72–75
|
$46,207/yr | Very High | 16.1x |
| 74 |
Computer Science
Purdue University Northwest · Hammond, IN
|
73
66–74
|
$68,485/yr | Very High | 19.3x |
| 75 |
Industrial Engineering
Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies · Fort Wayne, IN
|
73
71–74
|
$77,456/yr | High | 21.2x |
| 76 |
Accounting
Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies · Fort Wayne, IN
|
73
70–75
|
$62,287/yr | Very High | 13.2x |
| 77 |
Mechanical Engineering
Indiana University-Indianapolis · Indianapolis, IN
|
72
70–74
|
$69,746/yr | Very High | 20.0x |
| 78 |
Nursing
University of Indianapolis · Indianapolis, IN
|
72
69–72
|
$71,248/yr | High | 4.3x |
| 79 |
Finance
University of Southern Indiana · Evansville, IN
|
72
72–73
|
$43,335/yr | Very High | 16.5x |
| 80 |
Allied Health Professions
Indiana University-Kokomo · Kokomo, IN
|
72
71–72
|
$67,342/yr | Moderate | 19.3x |
| 81 |
Business
Indiana University-South Bend · South Bend, IN
|
72
67–72
|
$48,238/yr | High | 17.7x |
| 82 |
Public Policy
Indiana University-Bloomington · Bloomington, IN
|
72
69–73
|
$47,013/yr | High | 14.9x |
| 83 |
Allied Health Professions
Indiana University-Northwest · Gary, IN
|
72
72–72
|
$68,086/yr | Moderate | 19.4x |
| 84 |
Nursing
Marian University · Indianapolis, IN
|
72
69–71
|
$71,111/yr | High | 4.0x |
| 85 |
Economics
University of Notre Dame · Notre Dame, IN
|
72
68–73
|
$76,299/yr | Very High | 3.8x |
| 86 |
Statistics
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
72
67–73
|
$72,579/yr | Very High | 23.4x |
| 87 |
Accounting
Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses · Angola, IN
|
72
70–74
|
$45,913/yr | Very High | 16.1x |
| 88 |
Information Sciences
Purdue University Northwest · Hammond, IN
|
72
65–73
|
$61,699/yr | Very High | 17.3x |
| 89 |
Allied Health Professions
University of Southern Indiana · Evansville, IN
|
71
70–70
|
$69,965/yr | Moderate | 15.4x |
| 90 |
Business
Indiana University-Southeast · New Albany, IN
|
71
66–72
|
$47,862/yr | High | 17.6x |
| 91 |
Finance
Taylor University · Upland, IN
|
71
69–73
|
$60,336/yr | Very High | 4.7x |
| 92 |
Nursing
Valparaiso University · Valparaiso, IN
|
71
68–71
|
$73,747/yr | High | 3.3x |
| 93 |
Biomedical Engineering
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN
|
71
68–72
|
$72,749/yr | High | 22.2x |
| 94 |
Business Administration
Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses · Angola, IN
|
71
66–72
|
$43,504/yr | High | 17.7x |
| 95 |
Human Resources
Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global · Marion, IN
|
71
65–72
|
$56,752/yr | High | 20.0x |
| 96 |
Computer Science
Purdue University Fort Wayne · Fort Wayne, IN
|
70
63–71
|
$61,354/yr | Very High | 15.6x |
| 97 |
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Purdue University Fort Wayne · Fort Wayne, IN
|
70
70–71
|
$65,385/yr | Moderate | 21.5x |
| 98 |
Engineering Studies
Indiana University-Indianapolis · Indianapolis, IN
|
70
68–71
|
$69,685/yr | High | 20.0x |
| 99 |
Engineering
University of Southern Indiana · Evansville, IN
|
70
67–71
|
$74,976/yr | High | 20.5x |
| 100 |
Information Sciences
Indiana State University · Terre Haute, IN
|
70
66–71
|
$44,293/yr | Very High | 15.2x |
FAQ
Frequently asked
What is the best college program in Indiana?
By DegreeOutlook Score, Computer Science at Purdue University-Main Campus ranks #1 in Indiana with a score of 90/100 and graduate earnings of $94,786/yr.
How many college programs are in Indiana?
Our database includes 681 programs across Indiana colleges with reported earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education.