Top Online Colleges and Best Value Schools (ROI) in Indiana

Indiana is known for being the home of fictional character Garfield and his owner Jon Arbuckle. The state is well-known for its abundant limestone resources that make up some of the country’s most famous establishments such as the Empire State Building and the Pentagon. Warsaw, Indiana also manufactures a large portion of orthopedic appliances supplying more than 50% of the global market share.

As of 2018, Indiana had a population of about 6.7 million. A student rate of 63% is expected to attend college throughout 2020. This figure includes adult students who find online courses an ideal route for earning a full degree.

Students are increasingly seeing the convenience that online learning platforms provide, as opposed to attending weekend or evening classes in brick-and-mortar college institutions. Fully web-based courses in many Indiana online colleges have helped distance learners and adults enhance their skills or acquire an entirely new skill set and jump to a different career.

Several schools in Indiana have online platforms for out-of-state students to earn their undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as certifications using only their digital devices. Some also offer cohort learning arrangements that blend traditional and online courses.

METHODOLOGY

What makes an online school in Indiana stand out? Our 5 Top Online Schools in Indiana lists the top-notch online colleges and universities in the state. Our staff and researchers at OnlineSchoolsCenter.com created this profiled list based on features that demonstrate the high quality of distance learning programs that it offers:

A superior online learning platform that promotes easy access to online coursework and lectures,
Healthy instructor-student ratio that reinforces a more focused online learning process,
Rigorous coursework and online program curricula to shape the most skilled future professionals,
Full accreditation that shows their commitment and capacity for maintaining high academic standards.

See our ranking process. Visit our Methodology Page.

Grace College and Theological Seminary

Grace College and Theological Seminary is a private, evangelical Christian school offering associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees online for out-of-state enrollees. Through the Grace Opportunities for Adult Learners (GOAL), working adults can enroll in selected programs to help you accomplish a full degree or take a new one. There are two associate degrees available in an online format: AS in Liberal Arts and College Launch, a unique program for high school students taking on an associate degree in liberal arts. The GOAL programs for undergraduate degrees are quality management, human services, business administration, and management.

Students with prior learning credits can opt to get a full degree in Psychology and Ministry Leadership. If you plan to earn a graduate degree, there are six categories to choose from, namely non-profit management, higher education, business administration, ministry studies, clinical mental health counseling, and athletic administration.

Credit transfers and some career work experiences may be credited to your program. Federal student loans and grants are also available for qualified students. On average, expect tuition costs to amount to $22,000 to $25,000.

Location: Winona Lake, Indiana

Admission Requirements:

High school or official college transcripts
Minimum GPA score of 2.0 and at least 2/75 for graduate students
Application form
At least 60 learning or work experience credits
SAT or ACT results
English proficiency results (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS) for international students

Accreditation: The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, The Indiana Commission for Higher Education

Bethel University-Indiana

Focusing primarily on Liberal Arts, Bethel University-Indiana is closely affiliated with Christian Missionary Church. Through the Bethel University Online, students are given flexible and easy to navigate coursework to earn a degree.

Undergraduate curricula includes Business Administration, Business Marketing, Christian Leadership, Interdisciplinary Studies, Behavioral and Social Science, Cybersecurity, Organizational Management, and RN to BSN programs. If you are pursuing a master’s degree on a part-time basis, you can choose from 11 categories: counseling, school leadership, ministry, literacy, M.Ed. Generalist, sports administration, nursing education administration (MSN), and business administration (MBA). There are three special licensure programs: English as New Language, Special Education, and School Administration.

Also, check out the school’s Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) and credit transfers to apply for accelerated learning programs.

Expect the cost for credit hour to range from $400 to $465. Federal student loans and financial assistance are available for US-based students. Active military personnel and veterans may avail of military education benefits for discounted tuition costs and possible credit transfers for work and training experience.

Location: Mishawaka, Indiana

Admission Requirements:

High School transcripts or GED documents
Online undergraduate application form
ACT or SAT results
Language requirements if English is your second language

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Oakland City University

OCU Online is the online distinction for working adults and distance learners at Oakland City University. Undergraduate programs include Criminal Justice (Generalist) and seven concentrations, such as Business Administration in Accounting, Management, Business Administration (Secondary Education), Operations Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing, and Sports Administration. Graduate programs include Master of Business Administration, Master of Science – Strategic Management, and Educational Specialist – Certification of Advanced Studies.

Dual credit programs are available for selected high school students planning to earn college credits before enrollment. This is also a military-friendly institution so veterans and military personnel can obtain educational benefits and credit transfers from training or work experience.

FAFSA and other government-funded programs are available for U.S citizen students looking for financial assistance. Students with parents earning less than $24,000 and neither earned a college degree can apply for the TRIO program. Scholarships that are endowed, athletic, or merit-based should be discussed with the office of admissions. RaiseMe Scholarships is also available to financially assist students in earning up to $13,000 per year. Employees aspiring to earn post-secondary education may also want to check the Federal Work-Study program.

Location: Oakland City, Indiana

Admission Requirements:

Application (online or personal submission)
High School transcript of records or GED score
For international students: TOEFL or IELTS results

Accreditation:

Higher Learning Commission
North Central Association (NCA) of Colleges and Schools

University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne

The University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne’s online programs are intended to be fast-paced but flexible. Students with prior learning credits will find that most of the graduate programs in this institution are accomplished within 12 months.

Programs such as business administration, marketing, sustainability, management information systems, organizational leadership, RN to BSN, healthcare administration, teaching, and special education are some you can choose off their online platform. The Transition to Teaching program is available for interested students looking for teaching opportunities without having to go through a full-degree teaching program. Degree completion in Bachelor’s Degree in Business is also available for students with prior learning credits.

Financial assistance from the government, grants, and scholarships are applicable for qualified students. Employees looking to lessen tuition costs may also look into the Employer Educational Assistance Program.

Credit transfers will vary for every program ranging from 6 to 90 credit hours. Students with military backgrounds may obtain educational benefits, including tuition coverage of up to 100% and credit for experience.

Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana

Admission Requirements:

USF Application or Common Application
High School and College Transcripts
ACT or SAT scores
Personal essay highlighting Franciscan values
TOEFL or IELTS results (for international students)

Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission

Indiana Tech

Online classes offered in Indiana Tech are designed to be fast-paced, interactive, and flexible for busy adults. Class sessions are usually given in 5-week durations for undergraduate programs and 6-week durations for graduate programs with weekly assignments. Students looking to enroll in individual courses may look into special programs.

Tuition costs for online programs are around $404 to $515 per credit for undergraduate programs, while graduate programs cost $515 to $866 per credit. Financial aid from the government, scholarships, private loans, and grants are available for eligible students. Veterans and active members of the armed forces may also take advantage of educational programs to assist in minimizing tuition costs or getting credit transfers from training or work experience.

Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana

Admission Requirements:

High School and College Transcripts
Accredited high school diploma or GED/TASC
ACT or SAT scores
GPA score of no less than 2.5 (graduate level)
At least two years of work experience (graduate level)
Graduate Division Application Package completion (graduate level)

Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission

Indiana-based schools have one of the lowest annual tuition fees and increases since 2013. A two-year public university would cost about $4,328, while a four-year public institution would cost $9,053 in tuition expenses. Out of the pool of students who entered the workforce, 1/3 of these individuals benefited from some form of financial assistance with 24% of it coming from Frank O’ Bannon grants. Today, about 72% of Indiana’s college students are part-timers, while sustaining their jobs for financial reasons.

More employers are expressing openness in hiring college students who earned their degrees entirely online. Some companies, especially those in the tech industries, may view students pursuing online degrees as determined and disciplined. They also expect online students to possess practical management skills. As such, earning a degree or certification from an accredited online institution in Indiana also ensures your credibility in the workforce.