Study in Indianapolis, The United States

About Indianapolis

Indianapolis, in central Indiana, is in Butler University's words "one of the Midwest's largest and most dynamic cities". Its nickname, the Crossroads of America, comes from its central location: Butler notes that the city is within a day's drive of over half of the country's population.

For students, Indianapolis combines three universities of different sizes with a large market for internships. The city is home to many state government offices and to large employers such as Eli Lilly, Rolls-Royce, Salesforce and Cummins, and Butler lists healthcare, education, finance and tech among its main business sectors.

Studying in Indianapolis

Our directory lists three universities in Indianapolis and one study abroad organisation. All teach in English.

• Indiana University Indianapolis (IU Indianapolis) is the largest: a public university with 22,534 students, 14,504 of them undergraduates, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1, according to College Navigator. It awards degrees up to research and professional doctorates.
• Butler University is a private university founded in 1855, with about 5,700 students in seven colleges and a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1. The university says that 44% of its students study abroad and 80% complete at least one internship, and it points to 5,000+ companies in the city that hire its students.
• The University of Indianapolis (UIndy), founded in 1902, is a private university affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It offers 90+ undergraduate programmes, 40+ graduate programmes and five doctoral programmes; its largest undergraduate programmes include occupational therapy, physical therapy, nursing, business and education. Students come from 60+ countries.

Our directory also lists the Institute for Study Abroad Butler University, a study abroad provider rather than a place to take a degree in Indianapolis.

Student visa and academic year

International students usually need an F student visa for study at an accredited college or university. After admission, the school's international student office sends a Form I-20 (or a DS-2019 for J exchange programmes), which you present when you apply for the visa. According to EducationUSA, the academic year typically runs from September to May, and international students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week in their first year.

Cost of living for students

College Navigator gives these 2024-25 figures for undergraduates:

• IU Indianapolis: $34,891 in out-of-state tuition and fees, plus $13,308 for food and housing on campus
• Butler University: $47,560 in tuition and fees, plus $16,430 for food and housing on campus
• University of Indianapolis: $37,200 in tuition and fees, plus $15,542 for food and housing on campus

International students pay the out-of-state rate at a public university. Prices change every year, so check each university's current cost of attendance.

Public transport is run by IndyGo. A two-hour unlimited fare costs $2.75, and fare capping on the MyKey+ system limits spending to $6.00 a day or $24.75 a week.

Getting around and daily life

IndyGo's Red Line rapid bus runs from Broad Ripple through downtown to the University of Indianapolis, with buses about every 10 minutes for most of the day, and passes within a few blocks of Butler's campus. Indianapolis International Airport (IND) is about 20 minutes from the Butler campus. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail and Pacers Bikeshare make it easy to get around downtown by bike, and Eagle Creek Park covers more than 3,900 acres on the north side of the city.

Winters are cold and summers warm. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Indianapolis give an average of 28.5 °F (about −2 °C) in January and 75.8 °F (about 24 °C) in July.

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are in Indianapolis?

Our directory lists Indiana University Indianapolis, Butler University and the University of Indianapolis.

How much does a year at university in Indianapolis cost?

For 2024-25, College Navigator gives tuition and fees of $34,891 (out-of-state) at IU Indianapolis, $37,200 at the University of Indianapolis and $47,560 at Butler University, before food and housing.

Can I do internships while studying in Indianapolis?

Yes, within your visa rules. Butler states that 80% of its students complete at least one internship, and international students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week in their first year, according to EducationUSA.

Is public transport useful for students?

Yes. The IndyGo Red Line links Broad Ripple, downtown and the University of Indianapolis and passes near Butler, and the weekly fare cap is $24.75.