Research.com
Indiana University-South Bend logo

Indiana University-South Bend

#512 in US ranking South Bend, IN
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

Represent this school?

Update this profile on Research.com

Indiana University-South Bend award
Indiana University-South Bend award

Cost

Cost / year
$18,320
Tuition & fees
$8,424
Avg. aid
$7,890
Receiving aid
87%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
84%
SAT range
950–1190
ACT range
21–23

Outcomes

Graduation rate
40%
Median salary
$47,518
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Indiana University-South Bend?

Indiana University South Bend is institutionally accredited through the Higher Learning Commission. Institutional accreditation is a review of the university's overall educational operations, rather than an endorsement of each individual degree.

Accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid and can be important when students seek to transfer credits or enter graduate study. Neither credit transfer nor admission elsewhere is automatic: the receiving institution makes those decisions. Some professional programs have additional approval or accreditation requirements. Applicants to fields such as nursing or teaching should verify the status of their specific program and the licensing rules in the state where they intend to work.

What are the admission requirements at Indiana University-South Bend?

First-year applicants to Indiana University South Bend generally apply with a high school diploma or an accepted equivalency credential and provide their secondary-school academic record. The admissions information reported for the campus identifies the high school record, GPA, and completion of a college-preparatory program as application factors.

SAT and ACT scores are considered but are not required under the reported admissions criteria. Among enrolled first-time students, about one in five submitted SAT scores, while far fewer submitted ACT scores; those figures describe test submission, not a minimum score. Recommendations may be considered but are not required. Applicants who need to demonstrate English proficiency should review the requirements for their applicant category, including accepted tests and any exemptions.

In the reported admissions cycle, IU South Bend admitted 2,360 of 2,815 first-time applicants, an acceptance rate of about 84%. That rate describes a past applicant group and does not predict an individual decision. Admission to the university may also be distinct from entry to a selective major, so applicants should check their intended program's prerequisites and application timing.

What are the application fees and waivers at Indiana University-South Bend?

An application fee, if charged for a student's application route, is separate from tuition, housing charges, and any enrollment deposit. Applicants should review the amount displayed in the Indiana University application before submitting it, since fees and application routes can differ by applicant type.

Students who may qualify for a fee waiver should request one through the application or admissions process before paying. Common grounds for undergraduate waivers can include demonstrated financial need, but eligibility and documentation depend on the applicable IU policy. A transfer, graduate, or international applicant should use the instructions for that category rather than assuming a first-year waiver applies.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Indiana University-South Bend?

Army ROTC participation is available to Indiana University South Bend students through a cooperating host institution rather than an Army ROTC unit operated by IU South Bend on its own campus.

Cross-enrollment can require travel and schedule coordination in addition to ordinary degree coursework. Students interested in a commission should confirm the host unit, course registration procedure, physical and citizenship eligibility, and how ROTC classes fit their IU South Bend degree plan. ROTC scholarships have separate applications and conditions; accepting a scholarship or entering an advanced commissioning track can create a military service obligation.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Indiana University-South Bend?

Indiana University South Bend admits transfer applicants and generally considers college credit from other accredited institutions. Transfer students can enter in fall, spring, or summer, subject to the applicable admission and program deadlines.

Applicants should submit official transcripts from every college attended and follow the admissions instructions for any high school records required in their circumstances. Admission and credit evaluation are different decisions: a course may transfer as credit without satisfying a particular major, general education, or prerequisite requirement. IU also recognizes some forms of examination or recommended credit, including CLEP, DSST, and ACE-recommended learning, subject to evaluation and degree rules.

Before enrolling, a transfer student should request an official evaluation and compare the results with the requirements of the intended degree. This is especially important for sequenced programs, where a transferable course might not replace a required professional course or clinical experience. Students transferring from an Indiana community college should also ask how any applicable statewide transfer pathway fits their major.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Indiana University-South Bend?

IU South Bend students can explore international study through Indiana University's study-abroad opportunities, including programs that may involve IU faculty or external partners. The available destinations, lengths, and eligibility rules vary by program and term.

A student should obtain academic approval before committing to a program, particularly if courses must meet a major requirement or keep a graduation plan on schedule. Program charges, travel, insurance, and living costs may differ substantially from a semester in South Bend. Financial aid eligibility also depends on the program and the student's aid package, so academic advising and financial aid review are both useful early steps.

Indiana University-South Bend Admissions Factors

SAT range
950–1190
4001600
ACT range
21–23
136
Acceptance rate
84%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
84%
Indiana
79%
US
78%

39% of admitted students enrolled (920 of 2,360)

Indiana University-South Bend Admissions

Applicants
Total: 2,815
Admission
Total: 2,360
Enrolled
Total: 920
Women
Men

How to Apply to Indiana University-South Bend

Early Decision

No

Early Action

Yes, deadline November 1

Indiana University-South Bend First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 886
Out-of-state: 23
International: 11

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 920
Transfer: 300

Indiana University-South Bend Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1085

Median composite ACT score

21

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

1.4%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

20%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

Yes

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Neither required nor recommended

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Required

Recommendations

Considered but not required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Neither required nor recommended

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Indiana University-South Bend Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

Data 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.

Recently Published Articles