Indiana State University Newsroom

Indiana State University has been nationally recognized as one of the top 400 universities in the nation, according to the ‘2024 Best Colleges in America list’ published by the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse.  

This recognition places Indiana State approximately in the top 15% of four-year institutions in the nation. The ranking provides more confirming evidence that ISU’s academic programs are of high quality and that students receive an outstanding education at an affordable cost.  

The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse is using a new way to calculate a university’s standing, including surveying students from each institution. The new methodology is based on student outcomes, learning environment, and diversity. Additionally, graduation rates, graduate salaries, cost of attendance against salary outcome, or Return on Investment, and other factors are considered.  

“We have long been focused on providing a world-class education at an affordable cost, and this national recognition once again verifies that Indiana State University is a place where students’ lives and careers are transformed. Our world-class faculty and staff are fully committed to our students and ensure that they are actively engaged in gaining a high-quality education. Indiana needs the well-prepared professionals that graduate from ISU, and we will continue to deliver on our mission to educate outstanding graduates who contribute to our state and nation year after year,” said Indiana State University President Deborah Curtis.    

 This significant achievement highlights Indiana State’s progress in strategically investing resources to further align the University with the State of Indiana’s workforce development needs and to ensure graduates can confidently enter their respective careers.   

Dr. Christopher Olsen, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, “We are delighted to be ranked among the nation’s top 400 universities by such a prestigious publication whose rigor is long recognized. It provides another measure that what we are doing at ISU is working and that we are providing students with a first-class education. What gives me the greatest encouragement is that the bulk of the WSJ ranking system is based on student outcomes. It confirms what we’ve long known: the choice to invest in your future by attending ISU is clearly worth the cost, and then some, and that our graduates do very well when compared against all other U.S. higher ed institutions. It’s also affirming that we are also ranked among the nation’s best in the journal’s more specific rankings: social mobility; salary impact, and student experience.”  

Survey results show ISU scored well in learning opportunities, career preparation, learning facilities, and diversity. Three of Indiana State’s longstanding initiatives that contributed to its ranking are:

1. Indiana State University proactively connects students with potential employers and internship opportunities through long-built and established relationships with corporate partners, career fairs with hundreds of employers across various industries, and more.   
   
    
   
2. The Indiana State Advantage, which continues to expand and offer first-time, full-time students the guarantee to graduate in four years while getting a world-class education. Eligible students with a high school GPA of 2.75 or higher who receive a Pell grant are guaranteed to pay no tuition for four years.  

1. New State students are eligible to use a grant of up to $3,000 for an experiential learning opportunity to enhance their education, including an internship, global travel, domestic service trips, and undergraduate research with a faculty member.