Cheapest Business Administration Colleges in Indiana

Purdue University's main campus graduates earn $54,238 annually while neighboring regional campuses like Indiana University-Northwest charge just $5,970 net price, creating a fascinating cost-benefit market for business students. The Indiana University system dominates the most affordable options, with four regional campuses offering net prices under $9,000. These programs prepare students for Indiana's strong manufacturing and healthcare job market, where companies like Eli Lilly and Cummins actively recruit business graduates. Oakland City University stands out among private schools with a 70% graduation rate despite its $12,820 net cost. The 21st Century Scholars program helps qualifying Indiana residents attend these programs tuition-free. Regional campuses typically accept 80-90% of applicants, making business education accessible across the state. Graduates from Fort Wayne earn $36,668 on average with $23,000 in debt, while Indianapolis graduates command $48,265 with similar debt levels.

Programs

$5,970 – $43,465

Net Price Range

$44,659

Avg. Program Earnings

56.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

39 Business Administration, Management and Operations Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Indiana University-Northwest Gary, Indiana	$5,970	$8,179	36.9%	80.3%
2	Indiana University-Kokomo Kokomo, Indiana	$6,276	$8,179	44.7%	85.8%
3	Indiana University-Southeast New Albany, Indiana	$8,257	$8,179	33.4%	85.2%
4	Indiana University-South Bend South Bend, Indiana	$8,364	$8,179	35.7%	86.9%
5	Purdue University Northwest Hammond, Indiana	$8,463	$8,419	44.0%	72.8%
6	Indiana University-East Richmond, Indiana	$9,082	$8,179	45.4%	77.6%
7	Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana	$11,408	$10,449	53.9%	82.9%
8	Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, Indiana	$11,513	$9,254	32.5%	80.7%
9	Indiana State University Terre Haute, Indiana	$12,188	$9,992	41.1%	92.3%
10	Purdue University Global West Lafayette, Indiana	$12,267	$10,110	47.6%
11	University of Southern Indiana Evansville, Indiana	$12,621	$10,136	52.0%	94.4%
12	Oakland City University Oakland City, Indiana	$12,820	$27,150	70.0%	55.7%
13	Huntington University Huntington, Indiana	$13,710	$29,982	68.2%	77.5%
14	Martin University Indianapolis, Indiana	$13,879	$12,830	33.3%
15	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, Indiana	$13,945	$9,992	83.1%	52.7%
16	Goshen College Goshen, Indiana	$15,725	$37,760	60.5%	93.5%
17	Ball State University Muncie, Indiana	$15,898	$10,758	63.3%	69.0%
18	Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global Marion, Indiana	$16,767	$8,216	37.2%
19	Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake, Indiana	$18,406	$30,034	69.9%	84.6%
20	University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana	$18,748	$36,136	55.8%	76.1%
21	Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies Fort Wayne, Indiana	$19,086	$9,900
22	Manchester University North Manchester, Indiana	$19,268	$37,090	44.8%	66.4%
23	Bethel University Mishawaka, Indiana	$19,726	$33,320	57.2%	99.5%
24	University of Evansville Evansville, Indiana	$20,230	$42,676	71.3%	76.3%
25	University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, Indiana	$20,361	$35,420	60.7%	98.1%
26	Calumet College of Saint Joseph Whiting, Indiana	$20,739	$22,650	29.9%
27	Indiana Institute of Technology Fort Wayne, Indiana	$21,318	$30,446	31.4%	64.7%
28	Valparaiso University Valparaiso, Indiana	$21,583	$46,588	67.0%	94.2%
29	Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses Angola, Indiana	$21,976	$9,576	100.0%	24.4%
30	Anderson University Anderson, Indiana	$22,144	$35,640	49.4%	51.8%
31	Franklin College Franklin, Indiana	$22,762	$37,350	63.4%	92.9%
32	Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion Marion, Indiana	$23,069	$31,168	66.3%	86.7%
33	Marian University Indianapolis, Indiana	$23,594	$39,100	60.9%	93.8%
34	Taylor University Upland, Indiana	$24,327	$39,104	76.6%	74.6%
35	Earlham College Richmond, Indiana	$24,516	$51,840	67.9%	73.2%
36	Trine University Angola, Indiana	$25,580	$35,600	67.6%	91.9%
37	University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, Indiana	$27,823	$62,693	96.8%	12.9%
38	Saint Mary's College Notre Dame, Indiana	$28,552	$51,430	76.5%	83.9%
39	Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Saint Mary of the Woods, Indiana	$43,465	$33,490	52.3%	78.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge earnings gap between Purdue's main campus and regional schools?

Purdue University's West Lafayette campus produces business graduates earning $54,238 annually, nearly $18,000 more than Fort Wayne graduates at $36,668. The flagship campus attracts different employers and offers more networking opportunities. However, the main campus costs $13,945 net price compared to $11,513 at Fort Wayne. Students must weigh the higher earnings potential against increased costs and more selective 52.7% admission rate.

How do Indiana University's regional campuses compare for business students?

Indiana University operates four regional campuses with business programs under $9,100 net cost. Northwest in Gary offers the lowest at $5,970, while South Bend charges $8,364. Graduation rates range from 33.4% at Southeast to 45.4% at East in Richmond. All maintain similar $8,179 in-state tuition, making location the primary differentiator for students.

Is private school worth the extra cost for business majors in Indiana?

Oakland City University charges $12,820 net but graduates 70% of business students, significantly higher than most public options. Huntington University costs $13,710 with a 68.2% graduation rate and $36,848 average earnings. However, public options like University of Southern Indiana offer 52% graduation rates at similar $12,621 costs. Private schools may justify costs through smaller classes and higher completion rates.

Does location within Indiana affect business graduate employment prospects?

Indianapolis graduates from Indiana University earn $48,265 annually, reflecting the capital city's corporate headquarters and healthcare systems. Fort Wayne graduates earn $36,668 in a smaller market despite lower living costs. Manufacturing centers like Hammond and regional economies offer different opportunities. Students should consider both earnings potential and cost of living when choosing program locations.

What debt levels can business students expect at Indiana's cheapest programs?

Debt varies significantly even among affordable programs. Indiana University-East graduates carry $18,174 in debt while earning access to the same degree system. Purdue Northwest graduates owe $26,850 average debt for $39,214 earnings. Several schools lack reported debt data, suggesting many students graduate debt-free. The 21st Century Scholars program eliminates tuition costs for qualifying Indiana residents.

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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.