Indiana College Guide Handout
College & Career Exploration • Indiana Grades 6–8 Edition
Indiana College Explorer Guide
Discover postsecondary pathways, campuses, and opportunities right here in the Hoosier State.
Name: _________________
Date: __________
1
Three Main Pathways After High School
Trade & Technical
Certificates (6–24 Mos.)
Hands-on training for specific careers like welding, aviation, automotive, cosmetology, or IT support.
Indiana Example: Local career centers & trade apprenticeships.
Community College
Associate Degree (2 Years)
Affordable classes close to home. Earn a 2-year degree to start working or transfer credits to a 4-year school.
Indiana Example: Ivy Tech Community College, Vincennes University.
4-Year University
Bachelor’s Degree (4 Years)
Study a chosen field (major) in-depth. Experience dorm living, clubs, research labs, and campus traditions.
Indiana Example: IU, Purdue, Ball State, Notre Dame, Butler.
2
Indiana College Regions: Where Are They Located?
Northern Indiana
Near Lake Michigan, South Bend & Fort Wayne
- Univ. of Notre Dame (South Bend)
- Purdue Fort Wayne (Fort Wayne)
- Valparaiso University (Valparaiso)
- Ivy Tech North (Multiple sites)
Central Indiana
In and around Indianapolis & Muncie
- Purdue University (West Lafayette)
- Ball State University (Muncie)
- IU Indianapolis / IUPUI (Indy)
- Butler University (Indianapolis)
Southern Indiana
Rolling hills near Bloomington & Ohio River
- Indiana University (Bloomington)
- Vincennes University (Vincennes)
- Univ. of Southern Indiana (Evansville)
- IU Southeast (New Albany)
3
College Words to Know
Major: The primary subject you focus on in college (like Nursing, Robotics, Business, or Art).
Dorm (Residence Hall): On-campus housing where college students sleep, study, and live together.
Tuition: The money paid to a college for your academic courses and instruction.
Scholarship: Free financial award money that you do not have to pay back, earned by grades, talent, or need.
Middle School Quick Tip
Colleges look at your high school grades, but building good study habits in middle school is where success begins!
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Campus Profiles Indiana College Guide • Page 2
Featured Indiana Colleges at a Glance
Compare six distinct college options across Indiana. Notice how each school has its own personality, size, and strengths!
Indiana University Bloomington
Public • 4-Year University • Bloomington, IN
IU
Mascot & Colors: Hoosiers (Crimson & Cream)
Campus Size: Large (~48,000 students)
Popular Fields: Business (Kelley), Music, Media, Medicine
Cool Fact: Famous for beautiful limestone buildings and the Little 500 bicycle race!
Purdue University
Public • 4-Year University • West Lafayette, IN
PU
Mascot & Colors: Boilermakers (Old Gold & Black)
Campus Size: Large (~52,000 students)
Popular Fields: Engineering, Aviation, Agriculture, Robotics
Cool Fact: Known as the "Cradle of Astronauts"—27 astronauts graduated from Purdue!
Ivy Tech Community College
Public • 2-Year Community College • Statewide
IVY
Mascot & Colors: Ivy the Hawk (Green & White)
Campuses: 40+ locations across all of Indiana
Popular Fields: Nursing, IT Cybersecurity, Advanced Trades
Cool Fact: Indiana’s most affordable college. Many students start here and transfer to IU or Purdue!
Ball State University
Public • 4-Year University • Muncie, IN
BSU
Mascot & Colors: Charlie Cardinal (Cardinal & White)
Campus Size: Mid-sized (~20,000 students)
Popular Fields: Education/Teaching, Media, Architecture
Cool Fact: Famous for hands-on "immersive learning" projects and the historic Beneficence statue!
University of Notre Dame
Private • 4-Year University • Notre Dame/South Bend
ND
Mascot & Colors: The Leprechaun (Blue & Gold)
Campus Size: Mid-sized (~13,000 students)
Popular Fields: Law, Business, Architecture, Science
Cool Fact: Iconic landmark is the Golden Dome. Over 80% of students live in dorms on campus!
Vincennes University
Public • 2 & 4-Year State College • Vincennes, IN
VU
Mascot & Colors: Trailblazers (Blue & Gold)
Campus Size: Small–Medium (~16,000 students total)
Popular Fields: Aviation Tech, Law Enforcement, Logistics
Cool Fact: Founded in 1801 by William Henry Harrison; Indiana's very first institution of higher learning!
Indiana 21st Century Scholars Program (Important for 7th & 8th Graders!)
Free College Tuition
Indiana provides up to 100% tuition coverage at eligible public Indiana colleges for students who enroll in 7th or 8th grade and meet income guidelines.
Maintain a 2.5 GPA Graduate High School Stay drug & crime-free
Student Worksheet Indiana College Guide • Page 3
My Indiana College Fit & Action Plan
Use what you have learned to reflect on your interests and compare two Indiana colleges that catch your eye.
A
My Campus Preferences (Check all that fit you)
Campus Size Preference:
Big Campus (huge games, lots of people)
Medium or Small Campus (easier to walk, small classes)
Living Preference:
Live on campus in a dorm / apartment
Commute from home (save on housing money)
Location in Indiana:
Close to home (under 45 minutes)
Farther away (explore another part of Indiana)
Learning Style:
Hands-on labs, tools, and technical training
Lecture halls, research projects, and essays
B
Compare Two Indiana Colleges
| Comparison Category | College Option 1 | College Option 2 |
|---|
| College Name | | |
| City / Indiana Region | | |
| Type (2-Yr or 4-Yr?) | | |
| Mascot or Colors | | |
| A Major That Interests Me | | |
C
My Future Reflections
1. One job or career field I am curious about right now is:
2. The Indiana college that sounds most exciting to me today is:
Because:
Middle School Action Checklist: Am I on track?
Ask school counselor about 21st Century Scholars Keep grades at C or higher (aim for 2.5+ GPA) Join a school club, sport, or community project Practice turning in homework on time each week