Last Updated: October 08, 2021
Indiana - The Hoosier State
Indiana is a state located in the Great Lakes and Midwestern regions of the US. The estimated population in Indiana is about 6.8 million. Indianapolis is the largest city of the state and is also the capital city of Indiana. The Illini, Miami, Potawatomi, and Shawnee were the Native American tribes that originally inhabited this region. Indiana later received its statehood in 1816, making it the 19th state of the US. The fall season is one of the best seasons to visit Indiana because of the beautiful sunny days, low humidity, and the bright colors of autumn leaves. However, even the season of summer in this American state is equally loved.
Major Cities in Indiana
Indianapolis
With an estimated population of about 888,000, Indianapolis is the largest state in Indiana. It is also the state's capital city. Established as a city in 1832, it is situated in Marion County. It is a major educational epicenter as it houses many important institutions such as Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis, Butler University, and the University of Indianapolis. The city is also known for its strong economy with diverse sectors such as manufacturing, food processing, agriculture, and the service industries. Some of the most popular destinations in this city are the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Museum of Art, White River State Park, Monument Circle, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indian and Western Art, Indianapolis Zoo, and so on.
Fort Wayne
Situated in Allen County, Fort Wayne is the second-largest city in Indiana. It has an estimated population of about 277,000. The city is a major metropolitan area with a diverse economy. Major sectors include manufacturing, specialty insurance, technology, automobile manufacturing, logistics & e-commerce, and so on. Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne and the University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne are renowned educational centers situated here. popular sites include Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Parkview Field, Headwaters Park, Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, History Center, and so on.
Evansville
Evansville is the third-largest city in Indiana. It has an estimated population of approximately 118,000. The city is popularly known as the "River City" because of the presence of the Ohio River. Evansville was founded in 1812 and was named after Robert M. Evans. Some of the top attractions in this city are Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science, Evansville African American Museum, Hartman Arboretum, Angel Mounds State Historic Site, Mesker Park Zoo, and Botanic Garden, Burdette Park, and a lot more.
Carmel
With an estimated population of about 105,000, Carmel is the fourth-biggest city in the state of Indiana. The city was originally known as Bethlehem and was later renamed Carmel in 1856. Carmel was established as a city in the year in 1874. The Monon Trail, The Center for the Performing Arts, Coxhall Gardens, Peace Water Winery, Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, Cool Creek Park, River Road Park, etc., are some of the popular attractions in this city.
Economy/Job Market
- Manufacturing, agriculture, mining, tourism, service industries, energy, and transportation are some of the major industries here in Indiana. The insurance industry too has been a prominent sector for a long time.
- Important products in the manufacturing industry are automobiles, vehicle parts, electronics, and motors. In the agricultural sector, the major crops grown are tomatoes, corn, and soybeans.
- Some of the largest companies (based on the number of employees) headquartered in this state are Go Electric, Anthem, Cummins, Eli Lilly and Company, Berry Global, Franciscan Health, Zimmer Biomet, Thor Industries, and so on.
- After the major challenges faced by the state during the covid-19 pandemic, Indiana seems to be recovering gradually. However, the unemployment rate seems to be fluctuating and also increasing. The rate was 3.9% in March 2021 and has risen to 4.1% in the following months.
- Trade, Transportation, Manufacturing, and the service sectors are currently the important industries contributing to the state's economy.
Tuition Fee and Living Cost in Indiana
The cost of living in the state of Indiana is a lot cheaper when compared to the national average. Housing costs are extremely cheap, followed by the cost of health care and transportation. Some of the most expensive cities in the state are West Lafayette, Bloomington, Indianapolis, Madison, and Speedway. The most affordable cities in Indiana are New Whiteland, Wabash, Rushville, North Vernon, and Elwood.
The cost of education can be on the more expensive side for most of the private colleges as the tuition fee is higher than the national average. Public institutions are mostly affordable for in-state students whereas the amount charged from Out-of-state students is a lot higher than the nation's average.
List of Few Major Universities/Colleges
The top educational institutes in the state of Indiana are:
- University of Notre DameSituated in Notre Dame, this is a reputed private university in the state of Indiana. It was established in November 1842 by Rev. Edward F. Sorin, C.S.C., a priest belonging to the French missionary order. The university is also affiliated with the Catholic Church. It is popular for its academic excellence, and some of the best faculty, and ranks #19 nationally as the best institution according to USNews, in the 2022 edition. With over 13,000 students and approximately 1,400 teachers, the student-to-faculty ratio is 8:1. Some of the most popular majors offered here are Information Science, Finance, Economics, and Political Science. The tuition fee is around $59,000 for both undergraduate and graduate students.
- Purdue University-Main Campus This is another renowned public university situated in the city of West Lafayette. It is highly acclaimed for its equal focus on high-quality education, research, and extracurricular activities. Established on May 6, 1869, the university was named after a businessman named John Purdue. The university has about 48,000 students, over 3,000 teachers, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1. Neil Armstrong is a notable alumnus of this university. Popular majors offered here are Business, Computer Science, Engineering, and Finance. The tuition fee for in-state undergraduate and graduate students is about $11,000 and roughly $31,000 for out-of-state students.
- Indiana University-Bloomington Situated in Bloomington, this is a popular public research university. It was established on January 20, 1820. With around 47,000 students and more than 2,000 faculty members, the student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. The university is popular for its vibrant and inclusive environment, an excellent teaching-learning experience, and high-quality research. Business and Public Administration are the most sought-after majors in this university. The tuition fee for in-state undergraduate students is about $12,000 and about $39,000 for out-of-state students.
- Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis Located in the capital city of Indianapolis, this is an extremely renowned public university. Established in the year 1969, the university is known for its high research quality, campus diversity, and stellar faculty. With more than 34,000 students and over 2,500 faculty members, the student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. Business, Nursing, Psychology, Education, etc., are some of the most popular majors offered here. The tuition fee for in-state undergraduate students is about $11,000 and roughly $33,000 for out-of-state students.
Scholarships/Financial Aid for Students
- Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship: This is a scholarship program for undergraduate students who plan to pursue a degree in Education. To be qualified for the scholarship, the student must be a legal Indiana resident and must be a high school senior who will be graduating from high school, or a high school graduate who will be enrolling at an accredited institution. The student should be in the top 20% of the class in high school, or a top 20% ACT/SAT score or a minimum score of 3.5 GPA. The student should also maintain a score of 3.0 GPA during college. The award amount is up to $7,500 per academic year.
- Frank O’Bannon Grant: This is a grant program that includes two awards, namely, the Higher Education Award and the Freedom of Choice Award. This is a need-based grant for the students of Indiana. To be eligible for the program, the candidate must be a permanent Indiana resident, must have graduated high school, enroll at an accredited Indiana institution on a full-time basis, and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Students from public institutions may receive an amount ranging from $950 to $3,700. Students from private institutions may receive an amount ranging from $650 to $7,400.
- Next Level Jobs Workforce Ready Grant: This is a grant program that assists students who pursue high-value certificate programs by covering their tuition and mandatory fees. The high-value certificate programs include Advanced Manufacturing, Building & Construction, Health Sciences, IT & Business Services, and Transportation & Logistics. To be qualified for the grant program, the student must be a legal resident of Indiana, be a high school graduate, pursue the required course from an accredited institution, submit the FAFSA, and maintain a satisfactory academic record in college.
- Earline S. Rogers Student Teaching Stipend for Minorities: This is a state financial aid that assists candidates from the minority group who will participate in teaching internships as part of the pursuing degree. To be eligible for the program, the student must be a legal resident of Indiana, belong to a minority community (Black and Hispanic candidates), and be enrolled at an accredited Indiana institution. The candidate should maintain satisfactory academic progress as required by the institute, participate in the required teaching/administration internships, and apply to eligible schools in Indiana and teach for at least three years on being hired. The award amount is up to $4,000 and may vary each year based on the availability of funds and the number of applicants.
Tourism
The Hoosier State is a popular place for vacation or adventurous experiences for visitors who explore this state. Summers may be said to be a great time to visit the state. However, during those months one may experience an unexpected downpour. Therefore, it is best to enjoy the beauty of Indiana from mid-August to October. The most fascinating destinations in this state are Indianapolis Zoo, Indianapolis Children's Museum, Holiday World & Splashin Safari, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indian and Western Art, Prophetstown State Park, Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, and a lot more.
Universities & Colleges in Indiana
*UG - Undergraduate
*G - Graduate
*in - In-state Fees
*out - Out-of-State Fees
- Recommended program (Top 250)
