Cheapest Public Health Colleges in Indiana

Indiana University-Northwest delivers the state's most affordable Public Health education at just $5,970 net cost, creating an $18,576 price gap between the cheapest and most expensive options. While private colleges like University of Indianapolis charge $18,748, their graduates earn $26,353 annually compared to $42,510 for Indiana University-Bloomington alumni. This cost variation matters in Indiana's healthcare sector, where Eli Lilly and Indiana University Health System create thousands of public health positions across pharmaceutical research, community health, and hospital administration. The 21st Century Scholars program helps qualifying students access these programs tuition-free at public institutions, making career entry more accessible in a field where starting salaries range from $26,353 to $42,510 depending on the institution and specialization focus.

Programs

$5,970 – $24,546

Net Price Range

$35,691

Avg. Program Earnings

61.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

18 Public Health 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-South Bend South Bend, Indiana	$8,364	$8,179	35.7%	86.9%
3	Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana	$11,408	$10,449	53.9%	82.9%
4	Purdue University Global West Lafayette, Indiana	$12,267	$10,110	47.6%
5	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, Indiana	$13,945	$9,992	83.1%	52.7%
6	Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, Indiana	$15,342	$11,790	81.2%	82.4%
7	Goshen College Goshen, Indiana	$15,725	$37,760	60.5%	93.5%
8	Ball State University Muncie, Indiana	$15,898	$10,758	63.3%	69.0%
9	University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana	$18,748	$36,136	55.8%	76.1%
10	Manchester University North Manchester, Indiana	$19,268	$37,090	44.8%	66.4%
11	Bethel University Mishawaka, Indiana	$19,726	$33,320	57.2%	99.5%
12	University of Evansville Evansville, Indiana	$20,230	$42,676	71.3%	76.3%
13	University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, Indiana	$20,361	$35,420	60.7%	98.1%
14	Valparaiso University Valparaiso, Indiana	$21,583	$46,588	67.0%	94.2%
15	Franklin College Franklin, Indiana	$22,762	$37,350	63.4%	92.9%
16	Marian University Indianapolis, Indiana	$23,594	$39,100	60.9%	93.8%
17	Taylor University Upland, Indiana	$24,327	$39,104	76.6%	74.6%
18	DePauw University Greencastle, Indiana	$24,546	$57,070	80.0%	65.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $18,576 cost difference between Indiana's cheapest and most expensive Public Health programs?

Indiana University-Northwest costs just $5,970 while University of Indianapolis reaches $24,546, reflecting the public-private divide. Regional campuses like IU-Northwest and IU-South Bend keep costs low through shared resources and local focus. Private institutions typically offer smaller class sizes and specialized facilities but charge significantly more. The 21st Century Scholars program can eliminate tuition costs entirely at public schools for qualifying Indiana residents.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Indiana Public Health programs?

Higher-priced programs generally show better completion rates, with Purdue University-Main Campus achieving 83.1% graduation at $13,945 net cost. However, Indiana University-Northwest maintains 36.9% graduation despite its $5,970 price point. University of Evansville leads at 71.3% graduation but costs $20,230. This suggests that student support services and campus resources, often funded through higher tuition, impact completion rates significantly.

Is attending Indiana University-Bloomington worth the extra cost for Public Health students?

IU-Bloomington graduates earn $42,510 annually, the highest among Indiana Public Health programs, while paying $15,342 net cost. This represents a $16,157 earnings advantage over University of Indianapolis graduates who pay more but earn only $26,353. The 81.2% graduation rate and extensive research opportunities at the flagship campus justify the premium. Alumni also benefit from stronger connections to major Indiana employers like Eli Lilly and state health departments.

Where do Indiana Public Health graduates find the best employment opportunities?

Indianapolis offers the most positions through Indiana University Health System, state government agencies, and pharmaceutical companies. Fort Wayne and Evansville provide regional health department roles and hospital administration positions. Graduates earning $35,060 to $42,510 typically work in epidemiology, health education, or healthcare management. Indiana's manufacturing sector also creates occupational health specialist roles, particularly around Cummins in Columbus and steel production in northwest Indiana.

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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.