2024 Best Colleges for Performing Arts in Indiana

• Notre Dame, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  1,410 reviews

Alum: Best decision I ever made. Extraordinary undergraduate engagement through inspired teaching and mentoring. Lifelong friendships with faculty and peers. A commitment to reasoned discourse. Study abroad encouraged and facilitated even if pre med. Gorgeous campus. Inclusive residential life. Brilliant yet helpful classmates from every state and over 100 countries. I still regularly talk to my roommates 34 years later. Unparalleled sports with far reaching esprit de corps. As an undergraduate English Philosophy Pre Med Major whose now a Pediatric Psychiatrist, I would love to do it all again. When I occasionally go back to campus I love perusing the bookstore stacks to see what kids are reading these days in the disciplines. I remain grateful they have not abandoned their mission to form young people to be a force for good in the world. When I talk to current students, they give me hope.... Read 1,410 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 15%

• Net price $30,513

• SAT range 1410-1550

• Evansville, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  742 reviews

Freshman: The University of Evansville has fantastic faculty members committed to ensuring your success at UE and after. Each person I have talked to is willing to help find important information, has made sure I am excited for the transition from high school to college, and any questions I have are answered or directed to someone capable of answering. The only thing I would like to see change is the tuition rate. UE is a private school, which is an advantage to me personally. However, it also makes it extremely difficult to cover costs without completing school with a significant amount of debt. They do their best to award all financial aid they can to their students though!... Read 742 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 75%

• Net price $21,019

• SAT range 1050-1250

• Muncie, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  3,831 reviews

Freshman: As an international student having no experience, I was skeptical about applying, but I must say the overall experience was wonderful, as the application process was seamless, and the documents needed for the processing of my application were not much. My questions were dully answered, and I was communicated if something was missing in my application. Furthermore, the availability of scholarships to indigent and non-indigents, makes the package astounding. You also don't need to submit another application; you are automatically considered for scholarships. The tuition fee and costs are affordable, and the opportunity to work on campus is granted to enrolled students. One thing I benefited from was the free application month. Also, this university is test and essay optional. Yes! What I love about this university was the fast replies and processing of my application. I received my admission decision in 3 days. The process of obtaining an I-20 didn't cause much of a hassle. Ogundele Ann... Read 3,831 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 68%

• Net price $12,968

• SAT range 1010-1210

• Anderson, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  675 reviews

Other: The amazing city of Anderson, Indiana, is well-known for its top-notch educational facilities and thriving sports scene. This essay will cover Anderson's reputation as a top university and the vibrant sports scene that adds to the city's allure. I love that Anderson is the epitome of a well-rounded educational experience, from academic success to sports brilliance. I love the academic excellence at Anderson: Anderson takes pride in its dedication to academic excellence. Reputable educational facilities are located throughout the city, which provide pupils with a strong basis for their future ambitions. The Anderson schools provide a thorough curriculum, a committed faculty, and cutting-edge teaching techniques. Overall, I think Anderson is a great place that I'm transferring into!... Read 675 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 62%

• Net price $23,217

• SAT range 960-1160

• Bloomington, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  4,903 reviews

Alum: I had a positive experience at IU! The campus is gorgeous, safe, and has a great and historic variety of green spaces, buildings, recreation centers, and fountains. The school is large enough that there was always something different to do and students were commonly part of several social circles. In some ways, as an undergraduate student, I had wished for a smaller class size and more individualized attention from professors-in large introductory classes, even attending office hours wasn’t always the way to get one-on-one tutoring. As a large research university, there were many opportunities to pursue academic or professional projects, and the welcoming nature of Bloomington to students made it possible to have town-wide events like the world music festival, annual dance fundraiser for the local children’s hospital, and wide-scale environmental monitoring projects. The campus has undergone significant renovations and upgraded dining halls and dorms.... Read 4,903 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 85%

• Net price $13,386

• SAT range 1160-1380

• Indianapolis, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  1,403 reviews

Alum: Attending Butler University with a full-ride scholarship as a violin major and biology minor, aiming for genetic counseling, offered financial freedom and musical excellence. The biology minor enhanced my skills for genetic counseling but came with academic pressure. Navigating both fields demanded exceptional time management and self-care. Success on this unique path depended on dedication, passion, and maintaining a balance between musical and scientific pursuits - all of which Butler University helped me accomplish. Not only did it provide a great education, but it offered me wonderful social experiences as well. I met amazing friends and worked with enlightening teachers. I had the opportunity to be concertmaster of my orchestra, which I would not have been able to do at a bigger institution. The proximity to Indianapolis offered a wealth of culture and activities, and the food scene in Indy is amazing!... Read 1,403 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 81%

• Net price $38,643

• SAT range 1150-1340

• West Lafayette, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  5,035 reviews

Senior: Fantastic experience thus far. I have transferred from a lackluster institution and Purdue blows it out of the water. Academics within the Polytechnic Institute have been both challenging but rewarding to pursue by yourself--or better yet with others! Campus is beautiful and is rapidly expanding upon but more housing is needed on campus and by West Lafayette (thankfully downtown Lafayette is a great off campus place to be). Opportunities no joke pop up everyday due to the connections and reputation has for its students. And nearly everyone is both kind and helpful in every aspect of your academic career. Give it a consideration, you wont regret it if you love a bigger, but personable college experience!... Read 5,035 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 69%

• Net price $14,619

• SAT range 1190-1430

• Richmond, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.46 out of 5  277 reviews

Freshman: I love being at Earlham so much. It's a very small school so much of your instruction is going to be essentially one-on-one teaching (many of my classes I'm one of only three, for example). Classes are generally rigorous and interesting, most of my professors are really awesome and great at what they do, the campus (in my opinion) is just gorgeous, and I've literally never had as many friends before. I also love that every single student gets the exact same opportunities as any other. That said, it's not perfect: administration often sucks, the dining hall is usually terrible (the café mitigates that a bit on weekdays), Richmond isn't that great of a town to live in for a variety of reasons (Earlham seemingly kind of exists in its own bubble, though), and it's expensive (though financial aid is usually pretty generous). But even with all of that I absolutely love it here and I totally recommend checking us out!... Read 277 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 69%

• Net price $25,360

• SAT range 1100-1340

• Evansville, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  994 reviews

Junior: What I liked at the University of Southern Indiana was how all of the staff, faculty, employers, professors, and peers/students all made me feel welcome even after the very first time I stepped onto campus! The professors try to be as helpful as possible to make sure you can do everything in your power to succeed in your future career, and the different organizations/clubs are so inviting and ways to be a member of! Student worker positions are also super flexible and helpful too in ensuring academic success and well-being!... Read 994 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 96%

• Net price $13,719

• SAT range 1020-1230

• Valparaiso, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.54 out of 5  1,131 reviews

Junior: Valparaiso University is a small school in Valparaiso, Indiana who's boasts are its rich history with the Lutheran church, its nationally ranked college of engineering, college of nursing, and meteorology program. When it comes to academics, Valpo has tried its best to support me in both my successes and struggles. While the structural portion of the civil engineering courses seems to be subpar currently, all other classes have been advantageous for my degree. The College of engineering has helpful professors and helping hands offered by other students because of its small size. Socially, Valpo may be a little more difficult to navigate because there is a low student population. But, Valpo does try to offer everything it can to suit your wants and needs. As a christian, I was struggling to find a group. But I found the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and a worship service called Celebrate! in which I now participate weekly in both. Valpo has served me well.... Read 1,131 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 93%

• Net price $21,997

• SAT range 1070-1280

• Terre Haute, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  2,165 reviews

Senior: Indiana State is a great mid-size school especially for some of the uncommon majors the school provides. Campus is beautiful, especially in the spring and fall. There is a ton of encouragement to join student organizations and get involved. Professors and faculty do care about the students wellbeing! Terre Haute is not a terrible town and has its quirks but overall not a bad place to go to school. Athletics are decent and fun to watch. Baseball competes every year and basketball games are fun as the Hulman Center is an awesome arena for a school of this size. Would recommend ISU for good value and unique opportunities.... Read 2,165 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 94%

• Net price $13,653

• SAT range 910-1120

• Fort Wayne, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  1,296 reviews

Freshman: Purdue-Fort Wayne, it’s a gigantic little school, packed with school spirit! Tons of things to do on campus, and close enough to awesome things to do off campus. I would’ve liked a bit more engagement and guidance during my first couple weeks/month, as I had a hard time adjusting to school life after being out of school for 10+ years prior. It might be better for those coming fresh out of high school. All in all it is a pretty good school, professors act like people, at least the ones that I encountered did, they seemed to enjoy what they were doing and engaged those that reached out.... Read 1,296 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 83%

• Net price $11,820

• SAT range 1000-1210

• Vincennes, IN•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  667 reviews

Freshman: I am going into my second semester of my freshman year at VU, and so far I have loved it! The professors are so helpful and extremely welcoming. They always get back to me fast with any questions I may have, and the same goes for any advisors I have spoken to and the financial aid office as well! I was as nervous as any other incoming college freshman would be, but the overall environment of this school makes you feel very comfortable and welcome. The food on campus is surprisingly really good! There are also call booths around campus that are easily accessible if you ever feel that you are in danger, and I know that safety is a big concern when going to college. It’s a great school to get you started on your college journey!... Read 667 reviews

• grade C

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $12,119

• SAT range —

• Indianapolis, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  1,098 reviews

Sophomore: The best thing about the University of Indianapolis is their small class size! It is very personable and engaging, and allows you to get to know your professors as well as allowing them to get to know you; something that is very helpful for making connections. They also have a wonderful, very relaxed music program with incredible professional musicians who are wonderful, kind people that have a passion for their instrument and are committed to helping you take your musical aspirations to the next level. In addition to this, they also have an incredible performance hall in which music majors get to play and perform in, which was a huge draw for me! The campus is not located in the best part of town unfortunately, and could stand to have some better security in some of the buildings, but the campus grounds are beautiful over all, and due to the small campus size, everything is very close and within an easy, short walking distance of each other. Very good college overall!... Read 1,098 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 78%

• Net price $21,527

• SAT range 960-1170

• South Bend, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.46 out of 5  869 reviews

Freshman: So far I've had a great time at IUSB, (Indiana University - South Bend). Unexpectedly I've meet a lot of friends here, I've never had a disagreement with anyone here. The on campus environment is really chill, you could talk to anyone and they will answer you back in a respectful manner. I dorm here on campus and it's been a great experience so far. I have my daily routine where I go to the gym in the morning and head to class at 10:00 am, hang out with friends until my 1:00 pm class and after that class I head to my apartment to relax and do homework. Outside of my routine, everyday seems like a different day! And I get to enjoy it with friends, I dorm with one of my closest friends on campus and we have really similar schedules, including classes. Me and my friend have a little friend group .Overall I have had a great time here at IUSB, other than stressing about assignments, everything here on campus has been Awesome!... Read 869 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 89%

• Net price $8,189

• SAT range 980-1190

• Marion, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  1,142 reviews

Junior: I’ve loved everything about IWU! It has turned my school experiences around 10000000%. I used to not enjoy going to school, learning, and honestly just showing up. After high school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do so I dabbled in a few things. I attended a few in school colleges and really my anxiety was too bad to even focus. I worked full time for awhile (with kids specifically) and about 3 years ago decided maybe I should go back to school but try online. I was so nervous to attend school online because I didn’t want to fail, but IWU made my experience amazing. I immediately talked to an admission counselor and she put my mind to ease. She explained everything to not only me but my parents as well. She helped make everything work out for me and I’m still in contact with her to this day. I’m so beyond grateful for all IWU has given to me and continues to.... Read 1,142 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 92%

• Net price $22,098

• SAT range 990-1200

• Gary, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.28 out of 5  727 reviews

Junior: Indiana University Northwest is a great place to pursue higher education. As a college student, I have had a wonderful experience here. The class sizes are small, which allows for more personalized attention from professors. This has helped me establish a better understanding of concepts and succeed in my courses. The university is also affordable, with financial aid and scholarship options available for eligible students. The campus is diverse, and students come from different backgrounds, which has been an enriching experience. The university has a vibrant student life, with numerous clubs and organizations that cater to different interests. This has provided me with opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and build my social network. The only downside to IUN is its location in Gary, which carries a reputation for high crime rates. However, the university has taken measures to ensure the safety of its students, and I have never felt unsafe on campus.... Read 727 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 85%

• Net price $5,625

• SAT range 940-1140

• Greencastle, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  584 reviews

Alum: Honestly DePauw was great. I think I genuinely got the best education possible while at this school, especially due to the emphasis on liberal arts. I do think that the pandemic meant that I missed a lot of opportunities, however. Missing out on internships and other important experiences set me back a bit when looking for a job after graduation. I did find a one though! Also, the library construction took a long time and left us with very limited study space options which was frustrating even if it really needed the update. I also got a lot of scholarship money that made attending worth it.... Read 584 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 65%

• Net price $27,348

• SAT range 1160-1420

• Upland, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  1,083 reviews

Junior: I have been enjoying my time at Taylor University. The professors are fantastic! They are fun, personable, knowledgeable, kind, caring and very helpful. The community is also very fun, as the students enjoy creating their own fun and we have quite a few traditions in each hall. A suggestion for improvement would be better communication between the administration and the students. Though the administration is doing their best, often things that should be communicated don't, and that leads to confusion and last minute plans.... Read 1,083 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 73%

• Net price $26,879

• SAT range 1080-1310

• Fort Wayne, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  485 reviews

Senior: well I like about the University of St. Francis is the sense of community on campus and the small atmosphere. It is nice to get to know a lot of the people around campus and having the small atmosphere to build closer connections with peers and professors! I also think that USF is very inclusive and has a goal of individual and group achievement. As for what USF could do better is communication. I think at times it is hard to know what is going on with different groups and what is needed to be completed for graduation. The financial services at USF aren’t the best either. I feel as if you talk to someone from financial services you can get a different answer from each person. For instants, the stacking of scholarships and athletics. I have had an issue with this over the last four years of being here and at times it is very frustrating. I feel as if USF wants money personally from you instead of giving the opportunity for students to go to school on a full ride.... Read 485 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 99%

• Net price $17,513

• SAT range 960-1150

• Notre Dame, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  599 reviews

Senior: I have really enjoyed my time here at SMC. Its been wonderful with amazing friends, staff and the overall ambiance of the school. What I would like to see if the school not being more open minded with students who want to make a pro choice clubs (Just because the school is catholic does not mean everyone is) so they should be allowed to express and be recognized by the school for their club. Wish there were more people of color (We have seen an increase!). Overall has beautiful nature walks and everything is within reach. Class sizes are 18-21 at most, small campus field with ND right next door!... Read 599 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 83%

• Net price $27,686

• SAT range 1060-1250

• Mishawaka, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  559 reviews

Alum: Great experience academically and extracurricularly! I was able to take a plethora of knowledge gained at this institution with me into the workforce as a nurse. Now, I am pursuing a graduate degree and owe a great deal of thanks to Bethel for how well the prepared me professionally. Every teacher at this institution is very personable and allowed for a safe learning environment which promoted the freedom to make mistakes, learn from them, and better ourselves. One of the buggest reasons I would recommend this school is their prority to make Christ the center of education. From beginning the class with prayer to the encouragement we received daily was just what I needed to help me get through classes that were especially challenging. This carried into clinical and the exceptional instructors we had in the hospital setting. I gained so much experience that was also helpful when I entered into the workforce, setting myself aside from my coworkers due to Bethel’s very exceptional program... Read 559 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 98%

• Net price $18,772

• SAT range 950-1170

• Hanover, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  482 reviews

Graduate Student: I really loved Hanover College. What I liked about it most is that the academics at this college are geared to help you to be prepared more than to simply reach one's career goals. The education at this institution also prepares students for any other career goal they may have in the future by making students well-rounded individuals that will be prepared for virtually any career they decide to pursue, even ones outside their major. This is because of the rigorous liberal arts program they offer, which subsequently helps students in their own self-discovery. I went to college to study and major in communication and minor in economics. However, having to take courses in classes originally had no interest in, enlightened me about my own interests and capabilities. I still graduated with a major in communication, with the goal to be in public relations, but now I am thriving in my 3rd year of teaching.... Read 482 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 73%

• Net price $21,254

• SAT range 1110-1310

• Huntington, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  418 reviews

Freshman: I love that Huntington is a small school where you really get to know those around you. I love that the small class sizes really allow professors to get to know the students. The campus is beautiful year round and being small takes only about 10 minutes to walk from one end to the other. Only down side of campus is the fog due to lake snow-tip. I always feel safe walking on campus even at night and living in a dorm near campus police makes the feeling much safer. I have enjoyed my past year on campus and attending my classes and speaking to advisors that truly feel like they are there to help out. The nursing professor are always available to have a conversation about theology, life, grades, and just issues going on. There has been a number of professors who are highly understanding if something comes up and you are unable to attend class and need to make up assignments, quizzes, or exams. Overall I love attending Huntington University and would highly recommend it to anyone looking.... Read 418 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 79%

• Net price $21,008

• SAT range 1010-1200

• Franklin, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  490 reviews

Graduate Student: Attending Franklin College was the best decision I have ever made. It became my home, my biggest support system, my friends and family. The people there, the students and faculty, are amazing and are what I needed during my time there. The support they have given post-grad has been amazing. The classes set me up for success for my career and future academic endeavors.... Read 490 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 95%

• Net price $21,929

• SAT range 960-1180