


Indiana University Bloomington traces its origins to a state seminary established in 1820. The institution became Indiana College in 1828 and Indiana University in 1838. Bloomington is the university's original campus and remains distinct from the other campuses in the Indiana University system.
The university's growth from a small institution into a research university is reflected in its range of academic schools, graduate programs, libraries, and arts facilities. Students assessing an IU program should check that it is offered at Bloomington: an Indiana University degree or webpage does not necessarily refer to the Bloomington campus.
Indiana University Bloomington organizes its academic programs through schools and colleges rather than a single undergraduate faculty. The College of Arts and Sciences covers fields such as biology, economics, history, and mathematics. Other Bloomington schools include the Kelley School of Business, Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, School of Education, O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, School of Public Health, Jacobs School of Music, Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design, and The Media School.
Bloomington offers bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional study; the Maurer School of Law is also on campus. Admission to the university is not always the same as admission to a particular major or school. Applicants interested in areas such as business, music, or the arts should check the program's separate admission, audition, portfolio, or progression rules in the Bloomington academic bulletin.
Indiana University Bloomington is in Bloomington, Indiana, a college city south of Indianapolis. Its campus is closely connected to the surrounding downtown, giving students access to local businesses and services while still requiring them to plan around a large campus and its class-to-class travel times.
Students can use local and campus transportation, but routes and service hours matter when choosing housing or a job. Parking is regulated, and being permitted to bring a car does not mean a convenient campus parking space is included. Indianapolis International Airport is the principal regional airport for many longer-distance trips; students should account for the separate ground journey to Bloomington.
Indiana University describes its public mission in terms of teaching, research and creative activity, and service. At Bloomington, that purpose encompasses undergraduate education alongside graduate scholarship, professional study, and artistic work. The mission describes what the institution aims to do, not a measured outcome for every student.
Bloomington is a public, nonsectarian university. Its combination of liberal arts and specialized schools gives students different ways to pursue that mission, from laboratory research to public-policy projects and performances. A prospective student should judge a particular program by its curriculum, requirements, and available opportunities rather than by a university-wide statement alone.
Name of the institution
Indiana University-BloomingtonLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PublicSetting type
City: SmallInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
20,000 and aboveSchool type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1820Indiana University-Bloomington is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - professional practiceData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.