A public regional campus of Indiana University serving south-central Indiana with personalized education and career preparation.
IU Columbus offers nine bachelor's and master's degrees through five academic divisions: Business, Education, Liberal Arts, Health Sciences, and Science. Students can complete entire degrees at the Columbus campus or transfer to other IU campuses to pursue additional programs. The university features an Honors Program and University College for undeclared students. The Academic Resource Center provides tutoring in math, science, writing, public speaking, Spanish, and technology. The institution maintains partnerships with Ivy Tech Community College and Purdue Polytechnic for cross-institutional tutoring and learning opportunities.
The 15-acre campus in Columbus provides a small, personalized learning environment where professors know students by name. IU Columbus competes in nine NAIA varsity sports through the River States Conference, including men's baseball, basketball, cross country, and soccer, and women's basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, and volleyball. The campus features clubs and organizations, mental health support services, a bookstore, and career services. Students have access to the library, academic support services, and can participate in student research and internship programs.
IU Columbus offers test-optional admission for freshman applicants. The university accepts applications from freshmen, returning students, intercampus transfers, visiting students, graduate students, international students, and early college participants. The admissions office provides counseling and support for prospective students. Financial aid is available through federal loans, work-study, scholarships, and grants, with $4.85 million in awards distributed in 2023-24. The institution emphasizes affordability and offers a cost calculator and financial aid appeals process.
IU Columbus was established in 1970 as an extension of Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), initially operating without a centralized campus. An airport building was converted for academic use in 1985. In 1994, it was renamed Indiana University–Purdue University Columbus. Following the August 2022 announcement of IUPUI's split, the institution was rebranded as Indiana University Columbus on July 1, 2024, with Purdue's programs withdrawn. The university continues as a regional education center administered through IU Indianapolis.