Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Top 10 Private Colleges in Indiana
Curated by Chief Revenue Officer Kory White · CRO Syndicate
Top 10 Private Colleges in Indiana
Direct Answer
The Best Overall private college in Indiana is the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, a nationally elite Catholic research university whose high graduation rate, strong national ranking, and powerful alumni network place it far above any other private institution in the state.
The Best Value pick is Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, a top undergraduate engineering school whose graduates post some of the highest starting salaries in the country relative to a private STEM education. This list is built for students and families weighing private four-year colleges across Indiana, with a focus on academics, outcomes, value, and fit.
Every pick uses real, publicly reported data from U.S. News, Niche, NCES, and the colleges themselves.
How We Ranked the Top 10
We weighted each college against the priorities students and families actually raise, drawing on published figures from U.S. News, Niche, NCES, and each college's own data. The weighting:
- Academic quality and selectivity - 25%
- Graduation and post-grad outcomes - 20%
- Value and net cost - 15%
- Faculty and resources - 15%
- Student experience and support - 15%
- Fit and program breadth - 10%
A college with a strong reputation but weak outcomes drops fast. The winners balance academics, outcomes, and value.
1. University of Notre Dame 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Type: Private, Catholic Research University | Tuition: About $62,000 | Best for: Students seeking a nationally elite Catholic research university
The University of Notre Dame, founded in 1842 near South Bend, enrolls roughly 8,900 undergraduates and ranks among the top private universities nationally. Notre Dame posts a graduation rate near 96%, a student-faculty ratio near 9:1, and one of the most powerful alumni networks in American higher education.
Its strengths span business (Mendoza), engineering, the sciences, and the humanities, and its endowment funds generous need-based aid that often lowers net cost well below the sticker price.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 96%
- Top-tier national ranking and alumni network
- Generous need-based aid from a large endowment
- Strong programs across business, engineering, and the liberal arts
Cons:
- Highly selective admission
- High sticker price before aid
Verdict: Notre Dame wins on balance, the most academically elite and best-resourced private university in Indiana.
2. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 💎 BEST VALUE
Type: Private STEM College | Tuition: About $52,000 | Best for: Students seeking top undergraduate engineering with elite job outcomes
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, founded in 1874, enrolls roughly 2,000 students and is consistently ranked the top undergraduate engineering school among colleges that do not offer a doctorate. Its graduates post strong starting salaries and near-complete placement into engineering and tech roles, with a graduation rate near 80% and a hands-on, teaching-focused model.
The strong return on a focused STEM education makes it our value pick.
Pros:
- Consistently top-ranked undergraduate engineering
- High starting salaries and near-complete job placement
- Teaching-focused faculty and hands-on labs
- Strong return on a focused STEM education
Cons:
- Narrow STEM focus is not for every student
- Demanding workload
Verdict: The best value among Indiana private colleges, delivering elite engineering outcomes and salaries for a focused STEM education.
3. DePauw University
Type: Private Liberal Arts College | Tuition: About $58,000 | Best for: Students seeking a strong residential liberal arts experience
DePauw University in Greencastle, founded in 1837, enrolls roughly 1,700 students and is a well-regarded national liberal arts college. DePauw posts a graduation rate near 80%, a low student-faculty ratio, and strong programs in the sciences, music (its School of Music is highly regarded), and the humanities.
Its Greek life, internships, and generous merit aid are notable strengths.
Pros:
- Strong residential liberal arts experience
- Highly regarded School of Music
- Generous merit aid lowers net cost
- Strong internship and Greek-life culture
Cons:
- High sticker price before aid
- Small-town location is not for everyone
Verdict: A premier Indiana liberal arts college, especially strong for music and the sciences.
4. Wabash College
Type: Private, All-Men's Liberal Arts College | Tuition: About $50,000 | Best for: Men seeking a tight-knit liberal arts college with strong outcomes
Wabash College in Crawfordsville, founded in 1832, is one of the few remaining all-men's liberal arts colleges, enrolling roughly 850 students. Wabash posts strong graduation and outcomes figures, an exceptionally loyal alumni network, and generous merit aid. Its rigorous comprehensive exams and small classes are hallmarks.
Pros:
- Tight-knit, rigorous liberal arts model
- Exceptionally loyal and active alumni network
- Generous merit aid lowers net cost
- Strong graduate and professional school placement
Cons:
- All-men's model is not for every student
- Very small enrollment limits program breadth
Verdict: A standout choice for men seeking a rigorous, close-knit liberal arts education with loyal alumni.
5. Butler University
Type: Private University | Tuition: About $46,000 | Best for: Students seeking a mid-size university in Indianapolis with strong pre-professional programs
Butler University in Indianapolis, founded in 1855, enrolls roughly 4,500 undergraduates and is well known for its pharmacy and health sciences, business, and education programs. Butler posts a graduation rate near 80%, a low student-faculty ratio, and a strong campus experience in a major city.
Its pharmacy program and Division I athletics are notable.
Pros:
- Strong pharmacy, health sciences, and business programs
- Graduation rate near 80%
- Major-city location in Indianapolis
- Strong campus experience and Division I athletics
Cons:
- Higher sticker price than some regional peers
- Competitive admission for top programs
Verdict: The best mid-size private university choice in Indianapolis, especially for pre-professional and health programs.
6. Valparaiso University
Type: Private, Lutheran University | Tuition: About $44,000 | Best for: Students in northwest Indiana seeking a mid-size Lutheran university
Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, founded in 1859, enrolls roughly 2,500 undergraduates and offers strong programs in engineering, nursing, and the sciences, plus a respected honors college. It posts a solid graduation rate, generous merit aid, and a strong sense of community in a Lutheran tradition.
Pros:
- Strong engineering, nursing, and honors programs
- Generous merit aid lowers net cost
- Strong community in a Lutheran tradition
- Convenient northwest-Indiana location near Chicago
Cons:
- Smaller national profile than Notre Dame or DePauw
- Enrollment has trended down in recent years
Verdict: A solid mid-size choice for northwest Indiana, especially for engineering and nursing.
7. University of Indianapolis
Type: Private University | Tuition: About $34,000 | Best for: Students seeking affordable private health and professional programs in Indianapolis
The University of Indianapolis, founded in 1902, enrolls roughly 4,000 undergraduates and is known for health sciences, nursing, and physical therapy, with a more affordable sticker price than the elite privates. It posts a solid graduation rate and strong clinical placement in a major-city setting.
Pros:
- Affordable private tuition near $34,000
- Strong health sciences and physical therapy programs
- Major-city Indianapolis location
- Strong clinical placement
Cons:
- Lower national profile than peers
- Less residential than the liberal arts colleges
Verdict: An affordable, health-focused private option in Indianapolis with strong clinical outcomes.
8. Marian University
Type: Private, Catholic University | Tuition: About $40,000 | Best for: Students seeking a Catholic university with a medical school pipeline
Marian University in Indianapolis, founded in 1937, enrolls roughly 2,500 undergraduates and is notable for its College of Osteopathic Medicine, nursing, and education programs. It posts a solid graduation rate, generous Catholic-mission aid, and a growing health-professions pipeline.
Pros:
- Osteopathic medical school on campus
- Strong nursing and education programs
- Generous mission-based aid
- Growing health-professions pipeline
Cons:
- Smaller national profile
- Less program breadth than larger universities
Verdict: A strong Catholic choice for health-professions-bound students, with a rare on-campus medical school.
9. Saint Mary's College
Type: Private, Catholic Women's College | Tuition: About $52,000 | Best for: Women seeking a Catholic liberal arts college near Notre Dame
Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, founded in 1844, is a women's Catholic liberal arts college enrolling roughly 1,400 students, with a long partnership allowing cross-registration at neighboring Notre Dame. It posts a strong graduation rate, a low student-faculty ratio, and strong nursing, education, and humanities programs.
Pros:
- Cross-registration with the University of Notre Dame
- Strong nursing, education, and humanities programs
- Low student-faculty ratio
- Strong graduation rate
Cons:
- Women's college model is not for every student
- High sticker price before aid
Verdict: A premier choice for women seeking a Catholic liberal arts college with Notre Dame access.
10. Earlham College
Type: Private, Quaker Liberal Arts College | Tuition: About $54,000 | Best for: Students seeking a values-driven liberal arts college with strong global programs
Earlham College in Richmond, founded in 1847, is a Quaker liberal arts college enrolling roughly 800 students, known for its consensus-based culture, strong off-campus study and field-science programs, and global focus. It posts a solid graduation rate, a low student-faculty ratio, and generous merit aid.
Pros:
- Strong off-campus study and field-science programs
- Values-driven, consensus-based Quaker culture
- Generous merit aid lowers net cost
- Low student-faculty ratio
Cons:
- Very small enrollment limits program breadth
- Small-town location is not for everyone
Verdict: A distinctive, values-driven liberal arts choice with standout global and field-science programs.
What to Look For When Choosing a Private College
- Graduation and post-grad outcomes - A college that graduates most students on time and places them well signals consistent value, not just selective admissions.
- Net price after aid - The sticker price matters far less than the net price; run each college's net price calculator before judging affordability.
- Program strength - Engineering at Rose-Hulman, pharmacy at Butler, or osteopathic medicine at Marian may serve a specific student far better than a higher overall ranking.
- Size and setting - Indiana's privates range from tiny rural liberal arts colleges to a major research university; weigh fit carefully.
- Single-sex vs. Co-ed - Wabash (men) and Saint Mary's (women) are single-sex; the right fit depends on the student.
- Faculty access - Low student-faculty ratios and teaching-focused faculty matter more than building age or marketing.
What matters less than marketing implies: a college's national ranking number or newest building alone. Fit, program access, net cost, and faculty relationships affect a student's outcome far more than a single headline figure.
FAQ
Which private college is the best overall in Indiana? The University of Notre Dame earns the top spot for its top-tier national ranking, graduation rate near 96%, powerful alumni network, and generous need-based aid.
What is the best value private college in Indiana? Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is our best value, delivering top-ranked undergraduate engineering, high starting salaries, and near-complete job placement for a focused STEM education.
Which Indiana private college is best for engineering? Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is consistently ranked the top undergraduate engineering school among non-doctoral colleges, with strong salaries and placement; Notre Dame and Valparaiso also offer strong engineering.
How much do private colleges cost in Indiana? Tuition ranges from roughly $34,000 at the University of Indianapolis to about $62,000 at Notre Dame, before need-based and merit aid that often lowers net cost substantially.
Are there single-sex private colleges in Indiana? Yes. Wabash College is all-men's and Saint Mary's College is a women's college; the rest on this list are co-ed.
Do Indiana private colleges offer good financial aid? Yes. Notre Dame offers generous need-based aid from a large endowment, and the liberal arts colleges like DePauw, Wabash, and Earlham offer substantial merit aid that lowers net cost.
Bottom Line
For Indiana students and families, the University of Notre Dame is our Best Overall private college, pairing a top-tier national ranking and a graduation rate near 96% with a powerful alumni network and generous need-based aid. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is our Best Value, delivering top-ranked undergraduate engineering, high salaries, and near-complete placement for a focused STEM education.
If your priority is a residential liberal arts experience, a major-city pre-professional program, or a single-sex college, route yourself to DePauw, Butler, or Wabash and Saint Mary's instead. Choose on program fit, outcomes, and net cost after aid, and your student will be set up to succeed.
Sources
- U.S. News - Best Colleges in Indiana
- Niche - Best Private Colleges in Indiana
- NCES - College Navigator
- University of Notre Dame - official site
- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology - official site
- DePauw University - official site
- Butler University - official site
- Wabash College - official site
*Private colleges in Indiana review - best private colleges Indiana, rankings, ratings, and a review of the top picks for students and families.*