Earning a degree at an online college in Indiana is the first step to landing the career you want. More and more, employers seek out candidates with at least some postsecondary education, including associate, bachelor’s, and technical degrees. Earning your degree prepares you for more job opportunities and may qualify you for higher paying positions. A bachelor’s degree can also prepare you for graduate and advanced study. By pursuing a degree in your home state, you can take advantage of benefits like in-state tuition, making networking connections in your community, and earning a degree from a school with local name recognition.
Featured Online Schools
Higher Learning Initiatives in Indiana
IU Online
Online schools in Indiana have competition now that Indiana University has invested money and effort into its IU Online initiative. This $8 million initial investment, coupled with the college’s many other online degree programs, is helping the school become a heavy-hitter in the world of online education. The primary focus of this initiative is to create competitive degree programs at both the graduate and undergraduate level in areas such as business, science, and technology.
Purdue HUB-U
Offering video lectures, homework, and tests online, Purdue HUB-U seeks to extend the school’s reach to a more global audience by making courses available through an interactive web portal. This initiative is Purdue’s effort to keep up with technology trends while helping the school bring in much-needed revenue, as state funding has not kept up with inflation.
Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation Virtual Academy
Launched in 2010, the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation Virtual Academy gives students the opportunity to obtain academic credit through a collection of online courses. The Virtual Academy recognizes learning and education is changing. Today, students want more flexibility and convenience, and that’s what the academy provides.
Popular Degree Programs in Indiana
Computer networking and telecommunications serve as two of Indiana’s most popular majors for college students. This stems from the strength of the information technology industry in the state, and from Indiana serving as home to one of the largest supercomputing capacities in the country.
- Computer Networking: A degree in computer networking encompasses a variety of subtopics, including network administration, computer programming, software development, and cybersecurity. Often, students can choose one of these specializations to focus on while earning their degrees, or they can opt to pursue elective courses in these subject areas.
- Telecommunications: Earning a degree in telecommunications provides the foundation for careers in many areas, including broadcasting, media, and marketing. Some programs offer concentrations in areas like information technology communications, cybersecurity, and network management. Students can often tailor a degree in telecommunications to suit their goals.
Paying for College in Indiana
As you research Indiana colleges and online programs, price should be a consideration. Look at tuition rates for each school, and factor in additional expenses such as fees, technology costs, and textbooks. Keep reading to learn how the average cost of college in Indiana stacks up against national averages.
Tuition Prices
According to data from College Board, the cost of a public two-year university in Indiana is higher than the national average. However, the average cost of a public four-year institution in Indiana is lower than the national average. Keep in mind, these numbers don’t include costs such as books, transportation, and housing.
Average Price for In-State Tuition and Fees by Institution Type, 2017-18
| Public Two Year | Public Four Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana | $4,710 | $9,490 |
| U.S. Average | $4,234 | $9,978 |
Source: College Board
Employment Outlook in Indiana
The annual mean wage for employees in Indiana is lower than the national average. However, according to data from PayScale, the cost of living in Indianapolis is eight percent lower than the national average, with housing costs in the city 20 percent lower. The unemployment rate in Indiana is lower than the national average, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). See the tables below to learn how Indiana compares to national averages of unemployment and annual mean wages.
| Indiana | 3.6% |
| United States | 3.8% |
Source: BLS
| Indiana | $43,950 |
| United States | $50,620 |
Source: BLS
Accreditation for Colleges in Indiana
While researching schools, look for colleges and universities with regional or national accreditation. When a school has accreditation, it means an accrediting agency has vetted that school and its academic programs and determined that they meet or exceed certain standards. Accreditation ensures you will receive a high-quality education that other institutions and future employers recognize as valid and worthwhile.
Schools may have national or regional accreditation, with regional as the more popular and common type. Typically, nationally accredited schools include for-profit institutions and technical or vocational training schools. Two-year community colleges, public two- and four-year institutions, and private colleges and universities usually have regional accreditation. Schools with regional accreditation may refuse to accept transfer credits from nationally accredited institutions. Accreditation for online programs is the same as for their traditional on-campus counterparts; if a school has regional accreditation, that includes their online degrees. Schools in Indiana generally hold regional accreditation from The Higher Learning Commission.
Scholarships for Indiana Online College Students
Although paying for college may feel like a stressful undertaking, scholarships and grants provide a way to help you fund your education without taking out loans. Students attending online colleges in Indiana may apply for the scholarships and grants listed below.
Who Can Apply: Students who hold a high school diploma or GED and have Indiana residency may apply for this need-based grant. Students must enroll full-time in an eligible institution and must maintain academic progress.
Amount: Varies based on financial need
Who Can Apply: High school students in Indiana who graduate one year early from a public school may qualify for this grant. Recipients must enroll full time at an eligible institution.
Amount: $4,000
Who Can Apply: Financially independent Indiana residents who have earned some college credits but no degree may return to school with this renewable state-funded grant. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.
Amount: $750 – $2,000
Who Can Apply: Indiana residents attending an Indiana college or university who plan to work while in school may qualify for this earnings-matching grant. The student’s job must meet certain criteria to qualify.
Amount: Varies based on student earnings
Who Can Apply: Indiana residents attending college in Indiana who wish to pursue a career in teaching may apply for this scholarship. Applicants must demonstrate academic strength and must complete a teaching service requirement upon graduation.
Amount: $7,500
Who Can Apply: Minority students planning to teach in an Indiana school upon earning their degree may apply for this award. Upon graduation, recipients must teach for at least three years in an Indiana school.
Amount: Varies
Who Can Apply: Students in Indiana who meet certain qualifications based on their parents’ service in the military may qualify for this tuition assistance grant. The grant provides financial assistance for up to 124 credit hours.
Amount: Varies
Who Can Apply: Students who plan to teach in a high-need field including middle or high school math, science, or special education, may qualify for this stipend. Students must enroll at an eligible Indiana institution and must teach in an Indiana school upon graduation.
Amount: Varies
Who Can Apply: Indiana residents whose parent or spouse was a public safety officer killed in the line of duty may qualify for this grant. This grant covers 100% of tuition and fees at an eligible institution.
Amount: Cost of tuition and fees
Who Can Apply: Members of the Indiana Air and Army National Guard qualify for 100% coverage of tuition and fees for full- or part-time enrollment at an eligible Indiana institution.
Amount: Cost of tuition and fees
Resources for Students in Indiana
- Indiana Commission for Higher Education: The Indiana Commission for Higher Education oversees higher learning institutions throughout the state. The commission also oversees financial aid programs funded by Indiana, and students can find information on these programs, as well as scholarship applications through the commission website.
- Learn More Indiana: Learn More Indiana provides students with detailed information about the various student success programs and initiatives in the state. This includes the adult learning program, You Can. Go Back., which offers adults returning to school special tuition rates and scholarships. The website also offers information on careers and paying for college.
- Paying for College in Indiana: This platform provides students with tools and resources for paying for their education. It includes scholarships, grants, student loans, and other state-based funding opportunities. This page also features a cost estimator to help students budget and plan for college.
- Indiana Career Ready: This valuable tool offers students and job-seekers information about in-demand and high-paying jobs in Indiana, and how to begin careers in these fields. Students, parents, employers, and job seekers can utilize the tools offered by Indiana Career Ready, including labor market information, training, and work-based learning opportunities.
- ScholarTrack: ScholarTrack is the online portal for Indiana’s state-funded scholarships and grants. Students can create an online account through ScholarTrack in order to apply for these funds, get matched with scholarships they qualify for, and learn how to renew awards throughout their enrollment.
Online Schools in Indiana
Bethel College-Indiana
Mishawaka, IN
Ball State University
Muncie, IN
Crossroads Bible College
Indianapolis, IN
Goshen College
Goshen, IN
Grace College and Theological Seminary
Winona Lake, IN
Huntington University
Huntington, IN
Indiana University-Bloomington
Bloomington, IN
Indiana Institute of Technology
Fort Wayne, IN
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion
Marion, IN
Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN
Indiana University-Bloomington
Bloomington, IN
Indiana University-Bloomington
Bloomington, IN
Indiana University-East
Richmond, IN
Indiana University-Kokomo
Kokomo, IN
Indiana University-Northwest
Gary, IN
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana University-South Bend
South Bend, IN
Marian University
Indianapolis, IN
Mid-America College of Funeral Service
Jeffersonville, IN
Oakland City University
Oakland City, IN
Ottawa University-Jeffersonville
Jeffersonville, IN
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Saint Mary of the Woods, IN
Trine University
Angola, IN
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN
Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN