2024 Best Test Optional Colleges in Indiana

• Notre Dame, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  1,412 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 1,412 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 15%

• Net price $30,513

• SAT range 1410-1550

• West Lafayette, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  5,039 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 5,039 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 69%

• Net price $14,619

• SAT range 1190-1430

• Bloomington, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  4,910 reviews

Junior: Indiana University Bloomington is truly the most welcoming atmosphere I have ever been fortunate to experience. There is a wonderful blend of academics and social life with an enormous amount of opportunities for both. Not only are the students and faculty incredibly supportive, but the campus itself quite literally "blooms" with bright green forestry and wildlife (pun intended)! One of my favorite aspects of the university is that most of the upperclassmen become mentors for new incoming students. This continuous cycle of lending a hand gives students the chance to have 24/7 guidance and a chance to give back as they approach graduation. I have absolutely adored all of my professors and been challenged to achieve more than I ever dreamed of. If I had to recommend the university to change something, it may just be to hire more professors so that smaller class sizes are more common so that peers feel more like a family. However, even the larger lectures can be very energizing!... Read 4,910 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 85%

• Net price $13,386

• SAT range 1160-1380

• Crawfordsville, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  177 reviews

Freshman: To me, Wabash is a great place for independent students or any men wanna be gentlemen. I am an international student in Wabash, and through some difficulties for the first time. The college has many facilities and offices to help me overcome those bad situations. About professors, never mind... I mean, you never need to mind how NICE they are! They are super nice, friendly, and always willing to help you whenever you need them (including mental health if you want to share to it with them). Wabash also has African and Asian professors, and overall! Perfect diversity and perfect environment. I had not expected much before I came here, but it is worth it.... Read 177 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 62%

• Net price $21,466

• SAT range 1140-1340

• Terre Haute, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  422 reviews

Sophomore: I completed my first year at Rose-Hulman during the 2022-2023 academic year. Overall, it was a great experience. Rose is a smaller college with a tight-knit community. The academics are engineering-focused and challenging. There are three 10-week quarters each year with an additional 11th week of final exams at the end of each one, as well as an online-only summer quarter. This means the classes are fast-paced, but resources like professor office hours and the Learning Center tutoring program make it doable. If you are interested in getting a degree in a STEM field and are up for the challenge, Rose is the place for you and will be very rewarding.... Read 422 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 77%

• Net price $39,294

• SAT range 1270-1480

• Indianapolis, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  3,896 reviews

Senior: I liked how easy it was to get to know and work with individual professors in the Department of Biology. I will have these connections for the rest of my life! The only thing I would like to see change is for lectures to be offered at more and varied times. Labs and recitations are offered many different times throughout the week (and thus were easy to fit into the schedule), but many lectures (including those that are required for graduation) were only offered at one specific time of the week. This made it difficult sometimes to fit in classes I wanted to take because they conflicted with other things in my schedule.... Read 3,896 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 84%

• Net price $11,550

• SAT range 1040-1230

• Greencastle, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  585 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 585 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 65%

• Net price $27,348

• SAT range 1160-1420

• Upland, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  1,084 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 1,084 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 73%

• Net price $26,879

• SAT range 1080-1310

• Richmond, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  332 reviews

Sophomore: It has been amazing! The small classrooms give me such close connections to staff and students. There are so many opportunities for everyone and so many fun events! I feel like I can be myself and people will accept me. My close connections in the classroom have led me to some on-campus job opportunities like a Supplemental Instruction Leader and a Peer Mentor.... Read 332 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 81%

• Net price $8,102

• SAT range 1000-1220

• 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  3,833 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 3,833 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 68%

• Net price $12,968

• SAT range 1010-1210

• 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

• Indianapolis, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  472 reviews

Freshman: I love it! It has great athletics program and many perks. I go to Marian Ancilla in Plymouth, IN. It is a newer branch of Marian University and I really enjoy it. It is 3 hours and 30 min from my hometown in Bedford, IN. But, a lot to do on campus and I am wrestling with my high school friend. I really hope to do well with the 2 years there and transfer to Indiana University Bloomington,IN 47404. I am stage hand for Local 618 I.A.T.S.E. I will become a member. I do work at Indiana University Bloomington. It is also only 30 minutes from my home. A perfect fit. I love the sports plex at Marian---you have access to everything---yoga, hot tubs, pools, and classes. Of course, weight lifting. There is all newer styles of machines and old school weights----with plenty of spots to work out. I am happy with it for my first couple of years into my college career. I look forward to the many opportunities I am getting from Marian Ancilla.... Read 472 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 73%

• Net price $21,936

• SAT range 970-1180

• Saint Mary Of The Woods, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  242 reviews

Freshman: My experience so far has been wonderful! They are easy to communicate with, they make sure I fully understand everything and they are always very pleasant. If someone doesn't have an answer to my question, they are quick to find out and get back to me. I am very excited to start my classes!... Read 242 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 70%

• Net price $15,694

• SAT range 960-1120

• Gary, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.28 out of 5  728 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 728 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 85%

• Net price $5,625

• SAT range 940-1140

• Kokomo, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  469 reviews

Freshman: Being at IUK has given me an opportunity to stand on my own two feet and essentially start adulting. There are so many resources that this school offers to help keep you on track of your school work like peer tutors, study labs, academic advisors, and even programs where someone will check up with you weekly to help in anyway they can! I like the welcoming environment at IUK and the ability to start my own journey knowing that people are by my side.... Read 469 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 90%

• Net price $4,446

• SAT range 1000-1180

• 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

• Valparaiso, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.55 out of 5  1,132 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 1,132 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 93%

• Net price $21,997

• SAT range 1070-1280

• Fort Wayne, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  486 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 486 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 99%

• Net price $17,513

• SAT range 960-1150

• New Albany, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  719 reviews

Alum: Overall I had a pleasant experience with IUS. They have a beautiful, cozy, and accepting campus. They are very flexible with their class modalities. I took in person classes until 2020 and then took a combination of asynchronous and synchronous classes. They are also very affordable if you live nearby and commute to campus. I originally chose this university because it was close to home but now I cannot imagine having attended any other school. I highly recommend.... Read 719 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 90%

• Net price $6,344

• SAT range 980-1190

• Marion, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  1,143 reviews

Senior: Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) has an amazing community of Christ followers who genuinely care about your education and well-being. The professors challenge and support students. They go out of their way to help students and engage in meaningful relationships. In general, the students at IWU are very welcoming, and it is very easy to make friends and rely on others for support!... Read 1,143 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 92%

• Net price $22,098

• SAT range 990-1200

• Hammond, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.56 out of 5  1,506 reviews

Sophomore: Even though I am currently a sophomore transitioning into a junior student at Purdue University Northwest this upcoming school year, I can already confidently say that my time at Purdue University Northwest has been one of the most delightful educational experiences I've ever had since elementary school. The environment created by both the general student body AND the professors allowed me to easily adapt and, therefore, get along with everybody, leading to a very digestible, excellent learning experience as a result! In addition, help and aide is just around the corner whenever I have any questions, concerns, and/or comments. Purdue University Northwest is truly an excellent choice for anyone looking for secondary education in the state of Indiana, especially in the Lake County!... Read 1,506 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 63%

• Net price $8,472

• SAT range 990-1190

• North Manchester, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  463 reviews

Other: Manchester was the perfect college for me because of the small campus feel that made it feel like home. I had to sadly transfer due to changing my major which wasn’t held at Manchester. I recommend going to manchester to any student looking for a campus that is small and has many opportunity’s to fulfill their needs. Manchester was always there to help with any questions or concerns I had as a student, it felt like someone always had my back and wanted me to succeed.... Read 463 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 76%

• Net price $20,226

• SAT range 865-1090

• Evansville, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  996 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 996 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 96%

• Net price $13,719

• SAT range 1020-1230

• 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