A public regional university in Gary offering 150+ programs at the best price for a four-year degree in Northwest Indiana.
IU Northwest offers over 200 degree programs, academic certificates, and pre-professional programs across six schools and colleges: School of the Arts, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business and Economics, School of Education, College of Health and Human Services, and School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA). The university provides 70 undergraduate degree programs and supports both full-time and part-time study, with classes offered during days, evenings, and weekends. Average class size is 30 students, and more than 75% of the 370+ faculty hold doctorates or the highest degree available in their field.
The 43-acre urban campus is located in Gary, Indiana, just 10 miles over the Illinois state line. Facilities include a $45 million Arts & Sciences Building, Broadway Bistro, game room, and recreational spaces. The RedHawks athletic program competes in seven varsity sports (basketball, cross-country, soccer, and volleyball) and a competitive dance club. Student demographics reflect diversity: 49% underrepresented students of color, 40% first-generation students, 32% over age 25, and 75% female enrollment.
IU Northwest accepts future freshmen (high school graduates with no more than 12 college credits), adult students (high school graduates from at least one year prior with minimal college credit), transfer students (12+ college credits), and graduate applicants. The university serves a diverse student body: 95% are Indiana residents, 65% attend full-time, and 35% part-time. Admissions pathways include traditional freshman entry, transfer from community colleges, and graduate programs.
Tuition is approximately $8,000 per year, making IU Northwest the best-priced four-year institution in Northwest Indiana. Nearly 75% of students receive some form of financial aid. The university offers scholarships, grants, federal and private loans, work-study, tuition reimbursement, and the Midwest Student Exchange Program. In 2022–23, 44% of graduates completed their degree with no student loan debt.