Indiana is home to a number of universities and colleges that are welcoming to veterans and active duty military. The schools below offer a variety of student services, military-specific benefits, and financial support.
| School Name | Institution Type | Location | In-State Tuition (2017-2018)* | Tuition Assistance/Military Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue University Northwest | Public, 4-year | Hammond, IN | $7,582 | Dedicated veteran staff, SVO |
| Ball State University | Public, 4-year | Muncie, IN | $9,774 | Active Veterans Affairs Staff, SVO, Military Experience Credit |
| Vincennes University | Public, 4-year | Vincennes, IN | $5,737 | Military Experience Credit, Dedicated Staff |
| Indiana Institute of Technology | Private, not-for-profit, 4-year | Fort Wayne, IN | $26,730 | Credit for military experience, dedicated staff, SVO |
| University of Evansville | Private, not-for-profit, 4-year | Evansville, IN | $35,394 | Active duty scholarships, SVO, ROTC |
Military-Friendly Schools in Indiana
When it comes to veteran and active duty student services, a number of these schools stand out. They go the extra mile to ensure success for their military students, with services and financial support. Indiana schools could be a good investment for veterans and active duty students.
Purdue University Northwest
Purdue University Northwest has a Veteran Services program that is designed to give veterans and active duty students the support they need from the admissions process onward. They provide tutoring, mentoring, counseling, and field trips. They are happy to help veterans fill out applications and paperwork. And they offer one-on-one tutoring. These services, along with a Student Veterans Organization (SVO) and a dedicated staff to assist veterans, are offered through the veterans office.
Purdue is a public university that offers degree programs through its six colleges. They offer the College of Business, as well as the College of Engineering and Sciences. There is also a College of Humanities, which covers education and social sciences, as well as a College of Nursing and a College of Technology. There is also an Honors College.
Ball State University
Ball State University (BSU) offers an Army ROTC program in order to provide students with the opportunity to participate in leadership development, as well as to jump-start future military careers. This college has over 400 veterans who receive services from the Office of Veterans Affairs. At BSU, the Veterans Affairs staff members are actually veterans themselves.
Ball State University has seven colleges that include online degree program options. Over 80% of the students at Ball State receive financial aid. They offer degree and certificate programs at many levels, from short-term vocational training to doctoral degrees. There are approximately 22,000 students at the school.
Vincennes University
Vincennes University offers military students a wide-range of options, from on campus experiences to distance learning. Students can pursue their education while on active duty, with Vincennes providing support for their work, as well as offering credit for training in the military. Vincennes offers programs at military sites across the country. In addition, they provide classes on U.S. Coast Guard Cutters that are led by onboard teachers. Vincennes is one of nine schools participating in the Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE). On campus, veterans and active duty students will find dedicated staff for veterans services.
This school has a few bachelor's degree programs, but the majority of their programs are for associate's degrees and vocational programs. Almost 19,000 students attend Vincennes University.
Indiana Institute of Technology
Active duty students and veterans at this school can join the student veteran organization, Warrior Veterans Organization. Indiana Tech provides flexible programs, which may make course work easier for military students to complete. They have a number of classroom-based courses that meet once a week for 5 to 6 weeks so that current and former servicemembers can fit class time into their schedules. In addition, there are online courses. And all active duty, reserve military, and veterans receive the Indiana Tech Military Scholarship (it applies to spouses as well.)
This private college offers degrees from the associate's level to the doctoral level. There are many programs focused on technology, as well as business. Indiana Tech has nearly 8,000 students.
University of Evansville
The University of Evansville (UE) has an active veteran services program, with a dedicated Office of Veterans Affairs staff and the UE VETS (Veterans Education Transition Support). This veteran-student group was able to build their own lounge for veterans, service members and their families. They also raise funds for veteran-related causes through an annual charity bowling tournament. Veterans and active duty military at this school also receive college credit for their military training and experience. There are scholarships available for service members, from ROTC to veterans.
The University of Evansville offers more than 80 different degree programs. They include engineering, nursing, business, and criminal justice. They also have accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs. This college enrolls just under 2,500 students.
