2027 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 10,000 applications per year.
Have fewer than 7,000 undergraduate students.
Offer 5 or more unique majors
Have a 20% acceptance rate or higher.
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	Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology	80.9	1,290 – 1,480	45406	85935	#1 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute, IN Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology focuses on math, science, and engineering. It was originally founded as the Terre Haute School of Industrial Science in 1874 in an effort to teach technical training for railroad construction. It would get its current name in 1971 after financial support from the Hulman family....Read more Acceptance Rate 80.9% SAT Score 1,290 – 1,480 Avg. Net Price $45,406 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $85,935
2	DePauw University	56.02	1,190 – 1,410	31411	58476	#2 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana DePauw University Greencastle, IN DePauw University was founded in 1837 as Indiana Asbury University. Its motto is “Decus lumenque reipublicae collegium,” which is Latin for “The college is the splendor and light of the common good.” Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Speech Communication and Rhetoric, and Computer Science are commonly chosen majors. Acceptance Rate 56.0% SAT Score 1,190 – 1,410 Avg. Net Price $31,411 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $58,476
3	Taylor University	98.81	1,110 – 1,360	26178	45142	#3 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana Taylor University Upland, IN Taylor University offers 61 majors and programs. Some of the most popular areas of study for the Trojans include Psychology, General, and Elementary Education and Teaching. The school also boasts a 14 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 94% first year retention rate. Acceptance Rate 98.8% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,360 Avg. Net Price $26,178 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,142
4	Wabash College	57.05	1,140 – 1,350	25562	52667	#4 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 $39,605 each - and 72% graduate within six years. The student paper, “The Bachelor,” has been in publication since the early 1900s. Acceptance Rate 57.1% SAT Score 1,140 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $25,562 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,667
5	Saint Mary's College	91.09	1,070 – 1,320	27865	53470	#5 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 non selective and has a 25% yield. 85% of students stay on after they complete their first year and in the classroom, there’s a cozy 9 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse is the most popular major. Acceptance Rate 91.1% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $27,865 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,470
6	Earlham College	79.04	1,130 – 1,350	27107	35430	#6 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 79.0% SAT Score 1,130 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $27,107 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,430
7	Hanover College	82.15	1,100 – 1,270	23683	42876	#7 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 82.2% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $23,683 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,876
8	University of Evansville	94.12	1,070 – 1,280	18773	46734	#8 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 10 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Acceptance Rate 94.1% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $18,773 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,734
9	Valparaiso University	89.94	1,070 – 1,300	21766	55216	#9 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana Valparaiso University Valparaiso, IN Valparaiso University is affiliated with the Lutheran Church and has one of the largest campus chapels in the country. The school’s motto is "In luce tua videmus lucem,” which is Latin for “In Thy light we see light.” 90% of applicants receive acceptance letters. Acceptance Rate 89.9% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $21,766 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,216
10	Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion	88.94	970 – 1,210	23402	51329	#10 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion Marion, IN Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion is a NAIA Division II school, with 541 Wildcats primarily competing in the Mid-States Football Association. With a 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, IWU has an 83% first year retention rate. Many are studying Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. Acceptance Rate 88.9% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $23,402 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,329
11	Grace College and Theological Seminary	82.15	1,030 – 1,230	21065	41463	#11 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, 77% of freshmen return for their sophomore year, and 68% graduate within six years. Acceptance Rate 82.2% SAT Score 1,030 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $21,065 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,463
12	Trine University	85.48	1,050 – 1,270	25355	53010	#12 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 80% first year retention rate and around 52% of students will earn......Read more Acceptance Rate 85.5% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $25,355 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,010
13	Marian University	95.46	970 – 1,200	22786	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 86% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Acceptance Rate 95.5% SAT Score 970 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $22,786 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,704
14	Oakland City University	82.51	870 – 1,150	16437	43190	#14 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana Oakland City University Oakland City, IN Oakland City University is the only institution in the United States affiliated with the General Baptist Church. OCU is a private Master's Colleges and Universities II institution. As of May 2026, the school suspended its undergraduate programs. Acceptance Rate 82.5% SAT Score 870 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $16,437 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,190
15	Franklin College	72.54	1,090 – 1,290	24189	45635	#15 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana Franklin College Franklin, IN Located in Franklin, Franklin College’s acceptance rate is 73%. 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 72.5% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $24,189 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,635
16	Goshen College	83.42	880 – 1,110	16693	43218	#16 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Indiana Goshen College Goshen, IN Found in Goshen, Goshen College accepted 83% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 100% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid. The first year retention rate is 75%....Read more Acceptance Rate 83.4% SAT Score 880 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $16,693 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,218