Indiana University-Bloomington: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Bloomington, Indiana · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
78%
67,647 applicants
Median SAT
1290
Mid 50: 1180–1390
In-state tuition
$12,144
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$16,264
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

Indiana University-Bloomington is a public university in Bloomington, Indiana that admits about 78% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $16,264 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business/Commerce, General, Public Administration and Communication and Media Studies, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 80% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 5.8 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Indiana University-Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. For the most recent reporting cycle, Indiana University-Bloomington admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 78%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1290 and an ACT composite around 29. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $16,264 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Indiana University-Bloomington?

64% of enrolled students at Indiana University-Bloomington had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.76, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
40.4%
3.75–3.99
24.1%
3.50–3.74
16.6%
3.25–3.49
11.0%
3.00–3.24
6.0%
2.50–2.99
1.8%
Below 2.50
0.0%
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Indiana University-Bloomington.

What does Indiana University-Bloomington weight in admissions?

Indiana University-Bloomington reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean

Very Important3 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Class rank
  • Academic GPA
Important2 factors
  • Standardized test scores
  • Application essay

SAT and ACT scores Indiana University-Bloomington typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 580–710, with an EBRW midpoint near 630. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 27–33. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1180
50th percentile1290
75th percentile1390
% submitting SAT42.2%
ACT Composite
25th percentile27
50th percentile30
75th percentile33
% submitting ACT14.1%
Current testing policy
  • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class28.9%
Top 25% of class62.3%
Top 50% of class93.1%
% submitting class rank29.6%

How much does Indiana University-Bloomington actually cost?

Published tuition is $12,144 for in-state students and $41,891 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $13,984 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $16,264 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 17% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$10,622
Out-of-state tuition$40,369
Room and board$13,984
Average net price (after aid)$16,264
Application fee$65 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for Indiana University-Bloomington

Regular admission
Notification date1/15
Reply deadlineMay 1 or within 3 weeks if notified thereafter
Early admission
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineNovember 1

Will my child graduate from Indiana University-Bloomington?

These predict outcomes at Indiana University-Bloomington better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
91.1%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
null%
finished on time
6-year graduation
80.21%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Indiana University-Bloomington

The most popular undergraduate programs at Indiana University-Bloomington, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business/Commerce, General, Public Administration and Communication and Media Studies. Across all programs, Indiana University-Bloomington confers roughly 4,571 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business/Commerce, General program report a median income of about $105,759 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Business/Commerce, General2,132$105,759
Public Administration448$74,845
Communication and Media Studies436$63,211
Computer and Information Sciences, General416$90,630
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness391$61,846
Research and Experimental Psychology333
Biology, General226$65,677
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities189$47,380
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Indiana University-Bloomington safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Indiana University-Bloomington disclosed 221 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 5.8 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 25 violent offenses and 72 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
221
5.8 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
25
0.66 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
72
1.90 per 1,000
Burglary
51
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 37,806 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Indiana University-Bloomington?

About 30% of undergraduates at Indiana University-Bloomington live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 22% of men join a fraternity and 20% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
30%
of undergraduates
In fraternities
22%
of men
In sororities
20%
of women
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Indiana University-Bloomington.

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Common questions parents ask about Indiana University-Bloomington

What GPA do I need for Indiana University-Bloomington?

64% of enrolled students at Indiana University-Bloomington had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.76, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Indiana University-Bloomington typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 580–710, with an EBRW midpoint near 630. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 27–33.

How much does Indiana University-Bloomington actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Indiana University-Bloomington after grants and scholarships is $16,264 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $12,144 and $41,891 out of state. Budget against the net figure.

Is Indiana University-Bloomington realistic for my child?

Indiana University-Bloomington admits 78% of applicants, so 580–710 SAT Math is target range and below 580 is a reach. Then check the $16,264 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Indiana University-Bloomington?

Indiana University-Bloomington accepts about 78% of applicants out of roughly 67,647 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.

Is Indiana University-Bloomington test-optional?

Yes. Indiana University-Bloomington is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at Indiana University-Bloomington?

About 80% of students at Indiana University-Bloomington graduate within six years. 91% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

What does Indiana University-Bloomington look for in applicants?

Indiana University-Bloomington rates course rigor, class rank and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Indiana University-Bloomington a public or private school, and where is it located?

Indiana University-Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana.

What are the most popular majors at Indiana University-Bloomington?

The largest undergraduate majors at Indiana University-Bloomington by annual graduates are Business/Commerce, General, Public Administration and Communication and Media Studies. The school awards about 4,571 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Indiana University-Bloomington safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Indiana University-Bloomington reported 221 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 5.8 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at Indiana University-Bloomington?

At Indiana University-Bloomington, 30% of undergraduates live on campus, 22% of men are in fraternities, 20% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Indiana University-Bloomington, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers