2026 College Rankings

Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana

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College Raptor’s Hidden Gem rankings highlight under-the-radar colleges that may not be household names, but they're bringing serious academic heat. Hidden Gems are based on College Raptor’s overall national rankings and must meet the following criteria:

Receive fewer than 5,000 applications a year.
Have fewer than 7,000 undergraduate students enrolled.
Have an acceptance rate higher than 10%.
Have 5 or more unique majors.
Rank within the top half of College Raptor’s overall rankings.

For more information on methodology behind our college rankings, check out our ranking methodology breakdown.

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Rank	Institution	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Wabash College	63.3	1,070 – 1,280	23913	52667	#1 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana Wabash College Crawfordsville, IN Wabash College is an all men’s school with a 9 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. 100% of students receive grant aid - around $38,864 each - and 83% graduate within six years. The student paper, “The Bachelor,” has been in publication since the early 1900s. Acceptance Rate 63.3% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $23,913 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,667
2	Taylor University	73.53	1,120 – 1,360	25698	45142	#2 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana Taylor University Upland, IN Taylor University offers 2 majors and programs. Some of the most popular areas of study for the Trojans include Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing, Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, and Other....Read more Acceptance Rate 73.5% SAT Score 1,120 – 1,360 Avg. Net Price $25,698 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,142
3	Saint Mary's College	75.97	1,160 – 1,340	30389	53470	#3 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana Saint Mary's College Notre Dame, IN Saint Mary’s College is a private Catholic liberal arts school for women. It’s somewhat selective and has a 20% yield. 88% of students stay on after they complete their first year and in the classroom, there’s a cozy 10 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse is the most popular major. Acceptance Rate 76.0% SAT Score 1,160 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $30,389 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,470
4	Earlham College	73.11	1,130 – 1,340	26517	35430	#4 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana Earlham College Richmond, IN Founded in 1847, Earlham College is a liberal arts and sciences institution shaped by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). They charge unknown for applications and have a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1. Many students participate in Earlham’s study abroad program. Acceptance Rate 73.1% SAT Score 1,130 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $26,517 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,430
5	Hanover College	83.97	1,130 – 1,300	22929	42876	#5 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana Hanover College Hanover, IN Hanover College is a private not-for-profit institution that offers up to Doctor's degrees. Students follow a four-one-four plan, which is two four-month semesters with a one-month term between. It’s the oldest private college in the state, having been founded in 1827. Hanover became coeducational in 1880. Acceptance Rate 84.0% SAT Score 1,130 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $22,929 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,876
6	Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion	82.21	1,050 – 1,220	23364	51329	#6 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion Marion, IN Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion is a NAIA Division II school, with 515 Wildcats primarily competing in the Mid-States Football Association. With a 14 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, IWU has an 82% first year retention rate. Many are studying Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. Acceptance Rate 82.2% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $23,364 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,329
7	University of Evansville	78.13	1,090 – 1,330	21611	46734	#7 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana University of Evansville Evansville, IN Affiliated with the United Methodist Church, the University of Evansville dates back to 1854. It has a satellite center in England. A NCAA Division I without football school, the Purple Aces compete in the Missouri Valley Conference. Classes are on the small size, with a 9 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Acceptance Rate 78.1% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $21,611 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,734
8	Grace College and Theological Seminary	80.78	970 – 1,190	21680	41463	#8 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake, IN Grace College and Theological Seminary was founded in 1948, though it has roots going back to 1937. Affiliated with the Charis Fellowship, the school’s motto is “To know Christ and to make Him known.” On campus, 80% of freshmen return for their sophomore year, and 72% graduate within six years. Acceptance Rate 80.8% SAT Score 970 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $21,680 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,463
9	Huntington University	71.15	990 – 1,200	21149	40702	#9 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana Huntington University Huntington, IN 97% of students at Huntington University receive grant aid and as a NAIA Division I school, there are also athletic scholarships available. Huntington opened in 1897 as Central College, having been founded by (and still affiliated with) the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. Acceptance Rate 71.2% SAT Score 990 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $21,149 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,702
10	Trine University	84.69	1,110 – 1,310	25580	53010	#10 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana Trine University Angola, IN Found in Angola, Trine University’s acceptance rate is 85%. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. Approximately 96% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. At Trine University, there is a 78% first year retention rate and around 50% of students will earn......Read more Acceptance Rate 84.7% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $25,580 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,010
11	Goshen College	84.04	880 – 1,110	17040	43218	#11 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana Goshen College Goshen, IN Found in Goshen, Goshen College accepted 84% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 98% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid. The first year retention rate is 80%....Read more Acceptance Rate 84.0% SAT Score 880 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $17,040 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,218
12	Franklin College	69.78	1,060 – 1,240	23843	45635	#12 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana Franklin College Franklin, IN Located in Franklin, Franklin College’s acceptance rate is 70%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be available. About 100% of students at Franklin College will receive institutional grant aid....Read more Acceptance Rate 69.8% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $23,843 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,635
13	Marian University	95.32	970 – 1,200	23225	55704	#13 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana Marian University Indianapolis, IN Found in Indianapolis, Marian University accepts 95% of applicants. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. Approximately 91% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Acceptance Rate 95.3% SAT Score 970 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $23,225 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,704
14	Bethel University	98.68	880 – 1,180	20058	44271	#14 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana Bethel University Mishawaka, IN Located in Mishawaka, Bethel University’s acceptance rate is 99% and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 94% of students at Bethel University will receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year retention rate is 71% and around 54% of students will graduate in four years or......Read more Acceptance Rate 98.7% SAT Score 880 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $20,058 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,271