Colleges where the most freshmen return in Indiana
Colleges ranked by first-year retention: the share of full-time freshmen who come back for a second year.
Colleges where the most freshmen return in Indiana21 schools
21 schools qualify, ranked by first-year retention.
How this list is made
- Schools in Indiana.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- Has a first-year retention rate from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by retention rate, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Indiana
- 99% of freshmen return
- 95% graduate
- 2
- 3
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN · PublicHonor Roll#2 in Indiana
- 93% of freshmen return
- 83% graduate
- 4
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Terre Haute, IN · Private nonprofitTop 2% for earnings
- 92% of freshmen return
- 78% graduate
- 5
Indiana University-Bloomington
Bloomington, IN · Public#5 in Indiana
- 91% of freshmen return
- 80% graduate
- 6
Taylor University
Upland, IN · Private nonprofitTop 16% for graduation
- 89% of freshmen return
- 74% graduate
- 7
- 8
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN · Private nonprofit#9 in Indiana
- 88% of freshmen return
- 69% graduate
- 9
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN · Private nonprofitTop 9% for earnings
- 87% of freshmen return
- 80% graduate
- 10
Huntington University
Huntington, IN · Private nonprofit#19 in Indiana
- 84% of freshmen return
- 64% graduate
- 11
University of Evansville
Evansville, IN · Private nonprofit#14 in Indiana
- 83% of freshmen return
- 64% graduate
- 12
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion
Marion, IN · Private nonprofit#16 in Indiana
- 83% of freshmen return
- 67% graduate
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
Oakland City University
Oakland City, IN · Private nonprofitTop 24% for low debt
- 78% of freshmen return
- 66% graduate
- 17
- 18
Marian University
Indianapolis, IN · Private nonprofitTop 25% for graduation
- 76% of freshmen return
- 67% graduate
- 19
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN · Private nonprofitTop 20% for graduation
- 75% of freshmen return
- 70% graduate
- 20
Indiana University-Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN · PublicTop 20% for low net price
- 72% of freshmen return
- 54% graduate
- 21
Holy Cross College
Notre Dame, IN · Private nonprofitTop 17% for graduation
- 70% of freshmen return
- 73% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Notre Dame | $26,780 | $19,000 | $99,980 | 95% |
| Wabash College | $24,336 | $27,000 | $69,952 | 77% |
| Purdue University | $14,600 | $19,500 | $72,424 | 83% |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | $42,513 | $25,000 | $101,253 | 78% |
| Indiana University-Bloomington | $16,264 | $19,509 | $63,742 | 80% |
| Taylor University | $24,865 | $20,500 | $52,198 | 74% |
| DePauw University | $22,264 | $27,000 | $70,527 | 75% |
| Saint Mary's College | $25,292 | $27,000 | $59,354 | 69% |
| Butler University | $36,041 | $26,000 | $77,235 | 80% |
| Huntington University | $19,310 | $25,576 | $46,672 | 64% |
| University of Evansville | $18,499 | $24,606 | $53,770 | 64% |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion | $22,866 | $24,250 | $59,986 | 67% |
| Hanover College | $21,829 | $25,250 | $53,957 | 67% |
| Goshen College | $14,493 | $22,974 | $51,943 | 65% |
| Ball State University | $14,940 | $23,250 | $51,833 | 62% |
| Oakland City University | $15,210 | $16,758 | $43,283 | 66% |
| Earlham College | $24,714 | $23,488 | $50,797 | 69% |
| Marian University | $24,018 | $27,000 | $58,759 | 67% |
| Valparaiso University | $18,578 | $26,942 | $63,191 | 70% |
| Indiana University-Indianapolis | $11,668 | $20,000 | $55,198 | 54% |
| Holy Cross College | $26,728 | $24,000 | $50,416 | 73% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 63
- Colorado 7
- Connecticut 14
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 21
- Iowa 15
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 8
- Maryland 16
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 21
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 80
- North Carolina 17
- Ohio 31
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 62
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 10
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15