IUPUI vs. IU Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Indianapolis in Indianapolis, IN with Indiana University Northwest in Gary, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University Indianapolis is larger than IU Northwest based on total student enrollment (22,534 students vs. 3,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Indianapolis is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Indiana University Northwest is in Gary, IN (Small City setting).
• Indiana University Indianapolis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Indianapolis 13:1; Indiana University Northwest 15:1.

IUPUI vs. IU Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IUPUI or IU Northwest? 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 Northwest than IUPUI ($5,745 vs. $12,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Northwest are 17.6% lower than at Indiana University Indianapolis ($10,972 vs. $13,308).
• Indiana University Indianapolis is 27.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Northwest (about $2,338 more per year; $10,762.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53% higher at IUPUI than at Indiana University Northwest (about $12,080 more per year; $34,891.00 vs. $22,811.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana University Indianapolis than at Indiana University Northwest (82% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana University Indianapolis students is 33.3% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($11,104 vs. $8,327).

IUPUI vs. IU Northwest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IUPUI or IU Northwest? 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 IU Northwest and IUPUI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Indianapolis (1140) is 90 points higher than at IU Northwest (1050).
• Incoming IUPUI students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at IU Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Indianapolis 1030/1240; Indiana University Northwest 910/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Indianapolis 21/29; Indiana University Northwest 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IUPUI - Test optional; IU Northwest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IUPUI May 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IUPUI students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
• IUPUI has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than IU Northwest (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at IUPUI vs. 23.5% at IU Northwest.

IUPUI vs. IU Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IUPUI and IU Northwest? 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 Indianapolis's six-year graduation rate (33%) is higher than Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from Indiana University Indianapolis earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than IU Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Indianapolis graduates have a $1,940 lower median loan debt than IU Northwest graduates ($23,090 vs. $25,030).
• Among borrowers, IUPUI graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU Northwest graduates ($238 vs. $258).
• More IUPUI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 33%)

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.