Best Colleges in Indiana

Most Popular Degrees and Careers in Indiana

Cost of Indiana College Education & Salaries

When you decide that pursuing an Indiana bachelor's degree is the path for you, you should perform a cost analysis to square away some practical details. For starters, consider the overall cost of education versus your long-term earnings. It's almost certain that you will have some outstanding student loans upon graduation and that you will also be entering the job market with an entry-level salary. To help defray these costs, look into the student loan deferment program that allows you to work for either a non-profit organization, state, or federal government for a period of time without paying the loans. While your paychecks might not add up to those of your peers, your lack of student loan debt will more than make up for the shortfall.

You should also try to find an in-state public college or university. These schools are generally more affordable than private or out-of-state schools. In fact, sometimes out-of-state students pay as much as three times the tuition of their fellows. Thus, only consider out-of-state programs if they offer something truly unique that will make a significant difference in your long-term earnings.

You can also reduce the cost of your Indiana bachelor's degree by taking core courses from a local community college. Community college instructors are frequently just as well-trained as their University colleagues and they generally lead smaller classes. Thus, you can get the same or better instruction for less money. However, make sure that your community college credits will transfer to your destination university. Even when you attend an in-state community college, the credits don't always transfer, and you might end up re-taking courses or making up a shortfall in some other way.

Finally, when considering the cost of an Indiana bachelor's degree, seek out grants and scholarships. You can often receive grants via your FAFSA application, which don't need to be repaid. Then, seek out other forms of financing that don't come with interest-bearing debt. Further, even if a scholarship only pays for a fraction of your costs, it is an achievement to win and you can add that to your resume.

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Scholarships for Indiana Students

To make your Indiana college education more affordable, consider applying for grants and scholarships. These can help you pay for books, tuition, and sometimes your room and board. Though many won't cover a full year of tuition, much less your other expenses, it is worth it to apply. For one thing, the money won't hurt, another benefit is that they look great on your resume. If you recruit your family members in the task of researching and applying, you might be able to put a significant dent in your expenses and avoid many student loan payments later on. Do your future-self a favor and apply for as many scholarships as you possibly can.