Indiana University Bloomington Tuition and Fees

By Kelly Boyer Sagert

(Last Updated – 08/2022)

Total Cost of Attendance

Indiana University is known for its innovative academic programs, serving as the first to feature an informatics school. Located on a beautiful campus, IU offers a variety of excellent music and arts degrees and events along with international student organizations, and an LGBTQ+-friendly campus. Plus, if you love sports, the Hoosiers provide plenty of exciting athletic competitions.

Costs for 2021-22

As a point of comparison, Indiana University tuition in 2019-2020 was $10,947 for in-state students. The national average for public four-year universities was $9,400 that year, putting IU’s tuition at 16.5% more than the average.

Financial Aid

In the 2019-2020 school year, 80% of IU students received some sort of financial aid with 69% of them receiving grants or scholarships. As a breakdown:

•  Federal grants: $10 million+ in total with the average amount being $4,080

•  Pell grants: $7.4 million with an average award of $4,811

•  Other federal grants: $2.7 million with an average of $1,362

•  State/local government grant/scholarships: $11.8 million with an average award of $7,684

•  Institutional grants/scholarships: $42.3 million with an average award of $8,384

•  Student loan aid: $25.1 million with an average of $8,759

•  Federal: $14 million with an average of $5,033

•  Other: $11.2 million with an average of $18,554

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students that qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, and financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and non-profit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state and federal and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

Student loans in the “other” category totalled more than $11 million in 2019-2020 with the average amount being $18,554. The IU financial aid office offers to help students make savvy decisions about their use of private student loans, but does not offer specifics online.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for as it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

For in-state students, a four-year degree (based on 2021-2022 prices) would cost $104,748. For out-of-state students, the amount would be $210,264. It’s reasonable to add a 1% increase annually based on past history.

Here’s some Indiana Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2021-22

Average total costs for a four-year public university in 2020-2021 were $15,600 in state, making Indiana 67.9% higher and $19,600 out of state, making Indiana 168% higher.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2021-22

In-state tuition costs are about 1.6% higher than the national average while the out-of-state program costs are 68% higher than the national average. There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

Coursework for full-time undergraduates averages 15.5 hours per semester/31 per academic year. Using this figure:

Undergraduate tuition for in-state students has the following costs per credit hour with increases being 1% annually:

•  2020-2021: $361.97

•  2021-2022: $365.58

Undergraduate tuition for out-of-state students has the following costs per credit hour with increases being 1% annually:

•  2020-2021: $1,212.90

•  2021-2022: $1,237.16

Campus Housing Expenses

IU housing for the 2021-2022 academic year was $11,206 with total expenses being:

Off campus housing has the following options and pricing listed for the 2021-2022 year:

•  In-state off campus: $27,299

•  In-state off-campus with family: $16,523

•  Out-of-state off campus: $54,318

•  Out-of-state off campus with family: $43,542

The university notes that the greater Indianapolis contains numerous apartment buildings where units can be rented and provides an off-campus housing guide. As a starting point, rent for a studio apartment in Indianapolis averages $1,300; a two-bedroom about $1,400 and a three-bedroom about $1,500. Note that leases may be for a full year rather than just the academic one.

Indiana University Bloomington Acceptance Rate

In fall 2020, the Indiana University acceptance rate was 80%. The Indiana acceptance rate was equally divided between males and females.

Admission Requirements

Students must have a high school diploma or an equivalent, including a GED, TASC, or HISET. Students can fill out one application to be considered for all of their seven campuses, including in Bloomington, and the university’s two regional centers and an online campus. There is no minimum GPA required for the Bloomington campus although the average is 3.90 out of 4.00. SATs and ACTs are optional with more information about them in the next section.

Specific high school classes required include:

•  Eight English credits

•  Seven math credits, including four of algebra, two of geometry, and one of pre-calculus, calculus, or trigonometry

•  Six social sciences credits, including two in U.S. history, two in world history/civilization/geography, and two in government, economics, sociology, history, or something similar

•  Six science credits, including four in laboratory sciences

•  Four world languages credits

•  Three or more credits in other college prep courses

SAT and ACT Scores

Indiana University considers SAT and ACT scores during the admissions process, when supplied by students, but does not require them. In fall 2020, 72% of students submitted SAT scores and 45% of them submitted ACT scores; students admitted typically had the following scores:

For submitted tests, here are the 25th and 75th percentiles:

Popular Majors at Indiana University Bloomington

IU offers more than 200 degree programs in more than 30 areas of study. In the 2020-2021 school year, the university awarded 7,738 bachelor degrees; here are 10 of the most popular.

1. General Business/Commerce

This practical degree is by far the most popular bachelor degree awarded, accounting for 26.8% of the total. This degree is offered through the university’s Kelley School of Business.

2. Public Administration

Public affairs falls within the O’Neill School at IU with 7.6% of students completing this bachelor’s degree with its focus on budgeting, finance, and policy making.

3. Informatics

IU it was the first educational institution to offer this degree and the program is considered a flagship. Currently, 6% of undergraduates are graduating with this bachelor degree.

4. Mass Communications/Media Studies

This communications degree attracts students interested in analyzing how mass messages affect people’s opinions and behaviors. It accounts for 5.7% of bachelor’s degrees being awarded.

5. Exercise Science and Kinesiology

This degree positions graduates for careers in health and wellness, particularly related to the role of movement in human health. Currently, 5.4% of bachelor’s degree graduates are in this program.

6. General Biology/Biological Sciences

Currently, 3,8% of undergraduates completed this degree that studies the science of living organisms, including animals and plants. Coursework assists students in identifying species and understanding their functions and characteristics.

7. Research and Experimental Psychology

This degree positions the 3.8% of IU’s undergraduates that earned it to serve as research assistants for psychologists, or to use it as a foundation for more advanced degrees in the field.

8. Liberal Arts and Sciences

Liberal arts and sciences degrees provide undergraduates with a broad scope of knowledge to prepare them for effective problem solving and communication. These are the degrees chosen by 2.9% of undergrads at IU.

9. Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Coursework for this bachelor’s degree combines biology and medicine for humans and animals, including pathologies and pharmaceuticals. Currently, 2.1% of bachelor’s degrees are being earned in this program.

10. Computer Science

Students pursing this degree (2% of bachelor’s degrees awarded) tend to focus on software—from design and development along with systems theory and applications.

Graduation Rate

Graduation rates for students earning bachelor degrees are:

•  4 years: 87%

•  6 years: 98%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

Median earnings of IU grads is $58,814, more than 20% greater than the average for graduates of four-year schools overall ($47,891).