IU vs. ONU

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Bloomington in Bloomington, IN with Ohio Northern University in Ada, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University Bloomington is larger than ONU based on total student enrollment (48,424 students vs. 3,140 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Bloomington is located in Bloomington, IN (Small City setting); Ohio Northern University is in Ada, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Indiana University Bloomington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Northern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Bloomington 18:1; Ohio Northern University 13:1.

IU vs. ONU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU or ONU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Indiana University Bloomington than ONU ($17,270 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Bloomington are 4.2% lower than at Ohio Northern University ($13,984 vs. $14,604).
• Ohio Northern University is 227.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU (about $27,656 more per year; $39,800.00 vs. $12,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.3% higher at IU than at Ohio Northern University (about $2,091 more per year; $41,891.00 vs. $39,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio Northern University than at Indiana University Bloomington (97% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Northern University students is 164.1% larger than aid received by Indiana University Bloomington students ($27,696 vs. $10,487).

IU vs. ONU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU or ONU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ONU and IU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Bloomington (1290) is the same as at ONU (1290).
• Incoming IU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at ONU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Bloomington 1170/1400; Ohio Northern University 1175/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Bloomington 27/33; Ohio Northern University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU - Test optional; ONU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ONU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ONU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at IU (3.74).
• IU has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than ONU (74.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at IU vs. 19.9% at ONU.

IU vs. ONU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU and ONU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Indiana University Bloomington's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Ohio Northern University's (65%).
• Graduates from Ohio Northern University earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than IU graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,200 vs. $56,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Bloomington graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than ONU graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, IU graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ONU graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More ONU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 72%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.