Best Value Computer and Information Sciences Colleges in Indiana

Notre Dame computer science graduates earn $89,968 annually, nearly double the $42,682 starting salary at Indiana University-Kokomo, yet Kokomo's $6,276 net cost makes it the state's most affordable option. This dramatic earnings gap reflects the broader Indiana market where established tech employers like Cummins and pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly compete for talent alongside emerging startups. Purdue's main campus bridges this divide with $68,499 graduate earnings at a $13,945 net cost, while maintaining an 83.10% graduation rate that outpaces most competitors. The 21st Century Scholars program helps qualifying students access these opportunities at public institutions, making computer science education more accessible across income levels. Indiana's 20 programs range from $5,970 to $43,465 in total costs, creating pathways for different financial situations while serving the state's growing need for software developers, data analysts, and IT professionals in manufacturing and healthcare sectors.

Programs

$5,970 – $43,465

Net Price Range

$57,260

Avg. Program Earnings

57.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

25 Computer and Information Sciences, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Indiana University-Kokomo Kokomo, Indiana	$6,276	$42,682	$8,179	44.7%	85.8%
2	Indiana University-Southeast New Albany, Indiana	$8,257	$44,170	$8,179	33.4%	85.2%
3	Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, Indiana	$11,513	$60,771	$9,254	32.5%	80.7%
4	Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana	$11,408	$56,641	$10,449	53.9%	82.9%
5	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, Indiana	$13,945	$68,499	$9,992	83.1%	52.7%
6	Purdue University Global West Lafayette, Indiana	$12,267	$50,773	$10,110	47.6%
7	University of Southern Indiana Evansville, Indiana	$12,621	$52,107	$10,136	52.0%	94.4%
8	Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, Indiana	$15,342	$61,516	$11,790	81.2%	82.4%
9	Indiana State University Terre Haute, Indiana	$12,188	$48,432	$9,992	41.1%	92.3%
10	Ball State University Muncie, Indiana	$15,898	$54,296	$10,758	63.3%	69.0%
11	University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, Indiana	$27,823	$89,968	$62,693	96.8%	12.9%
12	Taylor University Upland, Indiana	$24,327		$39,104	76.6%	74.6%
13	Trine University Angola, Indiana	$25,580		$35,600	67.6%	91.9%
14	Purdue University Northwest Hammond, Indiana	$8,463		$8,419	44.0%	72.8%
15	Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Saint Mary of the Woods, Indiana	$43,465		$33,490	52.3%	78.2%
16	University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, Indiana	$20,361		$35,420	60.7%	98.1%
17	Indiana University-Northwest Gary, Indiana	$5,970		$8,179	36.9%	80.3%
18	Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute, Indiana	$40,665		$56,674	81.7%	73.0%
19	Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion Marion, Indiana	$23,069		$31,168	66.3%	86.7%
20	Indiana University-East Richmond, Indiana	$9,082		$8,179	45.4%	77.6%
21	Indiana University-South Bend South Bend, Indiana	$8,364		$8,179	35.7%	86.9%
22	Huntington University Huntington, Indiana	$13,710		$29,982	68.2%	77.5%
23	Goshen College Goshen, Indiana	$15,725		$37,760	60.5%	93.5%
24	Calumet College of Saint Joseph Whiting, Indiana	$20,739		$22,650	29.9%
25	Butler University Indianapolis, Indiana	$38,472		$45,980	80.2%	82.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Purdue's computer science program such strong value compared to other Indiana schools?

Purdue graduates earn $68,499 annually while paying just $13,945 net cost, creating excellent return on investment. The program maintains an 83.10% graduation rate, significantly higher than most state competitors. Purdue's engineering reputation and industry connections help graduates secure well-paying positions in Indiana's manufacturing and tech sectors.

How do Indiana's public university computer science costs compare to private institutions?

Public schools range from $6,276 to $15,898 in net costs, while private institutions like Notre Dame charge $27,823 and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods reaches $43,465. The 21st Century Scholars program can eliminate tuition at public schools for qualifying students. Even expensive private options may offer value when considering Notre Dame's $89,968 graduate earnings.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Indiana computer science programs?

Higher-cost programs generally show better graduation rates, with Notre Dame leading at 96.80% and Purdue main campus at 83.10%. However, University of Southern Indiana achieves 52.00% graduation rates at just $12,621 net cost. Indiana University-Kokomo offers the lowest cost at $6,276 but graduates only 44.70% of students.

Where do Indiana computer science graduates find the best employment opportunities?

Major employers include Eli Lilly, Cummins, and Indiana University Health, providing opportunities across pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and healthcare technology sectors. Indianapolis serves as the state's tech center with growing startup activity and established corporations. Fort Wayne and Evansville also offer strong regional markets for computer science professionals.

What debt levels should students expect from Indiana computer science programs?

Debt varies significantly, with Notre Dame and Indiana University graduates averaging $19,000 to $19,500 upon completion. Purdue University Global shows concerning debt levels at $45,101 despite moderate costs. Several schools including Indiana University-Kokomo and Purdue Fort Wayne do not report debt data, suggesting many students graduate debt-free.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.