Cheapest Registered Nursing Colleges in Indiana

The difference between Indiana's most and least expensive nursing programs reaches nearly $14,000 annually, with Indiana University Northwest offering the lowest net price at $5,970 while some programs exceed $19,000. Public institutions dominate the affordable options, claiming 12 of the top 15 spots. Huntington University stands out as the sole private school in this range at $13,710, yet delivers the highest graduation rate at 68.2%. Indiana's healthcare sector, anchored by employers like Indiana University Health and Eli Lilly, creates strong demand for nursing graduates across all specialties. Purdue University Global graduates earn the highest median salary at $73,792, demonstrating that affordable education can lead to substantial returns. The state's 21st Century Scholars program further reduces costs for qualifying students, making nursing education accessible to a broader population. Most programs maintain acceptance rates above 80%, providing multiple pathways into the profession.

Programs

$5,970 – $43,465

Net Price Range

$58,561

Avg. Program Earnings

55.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

29 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing 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	Vincennes University Vincennes, Indiana	$10,215	$6,886	34.7%
8	Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana	$11,408	$10,449	53.9%	82.9%
9	Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, Indiana	$11,513	$9,254	32.5%	80.7%
10	Indiana State University Terre Haute, Indiana	$12,188	$9,992	41.1%	92.3%
11	Purdue University Global West Lafayette, Indiana	$12,267	$10,110	47.6%
12	University of Southern Indiana Evansville, Indiana	$12,621	$10,136	52.0%	94.4%
13	Huntington University Huntington, Indiana	$13,710	$29,982	68.2%	77.5%
14	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, Indiana	$13,945	$9,992	83.1%	52.7%
15	Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, Indiana	$15,342	$11,790	81.2%	82.4%
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	University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana	$18,748	$36,136	55.8%	76.1%
20	Bethel University Mishawaka, Indiana	$19,726	$33,320	57.2%	99.5%
21	University of Evansville Evansville, Indiana	$20,230	$42,676	71.3%	76.3%
22	University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, Indiana	$20,361	$35,420	60.7%	98.1%
23	Valparaiso University Valparaiso, Indiana	$21,583	$46,588	67.0%	94.2%
24	Anderson University Anderson, Indiana	$22,144	$35,640	49.4%	51.8%
25	Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion Marion, Indiana	$23,069	$31,168	66.3%	86.7%
26	Marian University Indianapolis, Indiana	$23,594	$39,100	60.9%	93.8%
27	Saint Mary's College Notre Dame, Indiana	$28,552	$51,430	76.5%	83.9%
28	Chamberlain University-Indiana Indianapolis, Indiana	$36,219	$19,686	100.0%	100.0%
29	Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Saint Mary of the Woods, Indiana	$43,465	$33,490	52.3%	78.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Indiana University Northwest the most affordable nursing option?

Indiana University Northwest charges just $5,970 in net costs, nearly $300 less than the next closest option. The Gary campus benefits from lower regional living costs compared to Indianapolis or Bloomington. With an 80.3% acceptance rate and graduates earning $61,516 annually, the school provides accessible entry into nursing careers. The program maintains ties to Northwest Indiana's healthcare facilities, offering clinical placement opportunities.

How do graduation rates vary among Indiana's affordable nursing programs?

Graduation rates span from 32.5% at Purdue Fort Wayne to 83.1% at Purdue's main campus. Private institution Huntington University achieves the highest rate at 68.2% among affordable options. Most regional campuses like IU-Kokomo and IU-East maintain rates between 35-45%. The variation often reflects different admission standards and student support services across institutions.

Is there a significant earnings difference between the most affordable programs?

Purdue University Global graduates earn $73,792 annually, exceeding Huntington University graduates by over $25,000 despite similar net costs. Most programs produce graduates earning between $54,000-$61,000. The variation reflects different program focus areas, with research and administration tracks typically commanding higher salaries. Geographic location within Indiana also influences starting wages and career advancement opportunities.

Does attending a regional campus affect nursing career prospects in Indiana?

Regional campuses often provide strong local healthcare connections, with IU-Southeast and IU-Kokomo graduates earning competitive salaries around $58,000. These programs typically have lower debt loads, averaging $15,500-$21,500 compared to main campuses. Clinical partnerships with regional hospitals create direct pathways to employment. The nursing shortage throughout Indiana ensures job availability regardless of campus location.

Where can nursing students find the best value considering both cost and outcomes?

IU-Kokomo offers strong value with $6,276 net costs, $15,500 average debt, and 44.7% graduation rate. Purdue University Global provides the highest earning potential at $73,792 for $12,267 in costs. University of Southern Indiana balances affordability at $12,621 with a strong 52% graduation rate. Students should consider total debt load alongside regional employment opportunities when selecting programs.

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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.