


Courtesy of Trine University
Trine University is a private university in Angola, Indiana, founded in 1884 as Tri-State Normal College. Its early emphasis on practical education helps explain the institution's continuing focus on professional fields, particularly engineering, business, education and health-related programs.
The institution later used the names Tri-State College and Tri-State University. It became Trine University in 2008, taking the name of alumni Ralph and Sheri Trine. Its development has included graduate programs, online study and locations beyond the main Angola campus. Applicants comparing programs should note that Trine's history as a residential college does not mean every current degree is taught in Angola or follows the same academic calendar.
Trine organizes its academic programs into schools and colleges covering engineering and computing, business, education, arts and sciences, health professions, and graduate and professional study. The program directory and academic catalog are the best places to check which school awards a particular degree and where its required courses are offered.
Undergraduates can explore fields such as mechanical and civil engineering, computer science, accounting, biology, psychology, criminal justice and teacher education. Trine also offers graduate and professional programs, including health-related study. Some programs have requirements beyond general university admission - such as prerequisites, clinical placements or progression standards - and some are delivered online or away from the Angola campus. A prospective student should compare the degree's curriculum, delivery location and any professional licensing requirements, rather than assuming that programs within the same university work alike.
Trine University's main campus is in Angola, a small city in northeastern Indiana near the Michigan and Ohio borders. Its setting differs from that of an urban university: many residential activities and services are concentrated on campus, while students seeking off-campus work or entertainment should consider transportation.
Fort Wayne is the nearest larger city, and Fort Wayne International Airport is a regional air-travel option. Students may bring a car as first-year students, subject to campus parking rules. Trine also offers programs at other locations and online, so applicants should confirm the location of their specific degree before making housing or commuting plans.
Trine states that its mission centers on intellectual and personal development through professionally focused learning, with an emphasis on preparing students to succeed, lead and serve. That statement describes the university's educational aims; it is not, by itself, evidence of any particular graduate outcome.
The emphasis is visible in the institution's mix of liberal arts, technical and professional programs. Students assessing how it applies to their intended major can look for concrete features in the catalog, such as laboratory work, projects, field experiences or clinical requirements. Trine is a private institution, and applicants should use its current mission and strategic statements for the precise wording of its stated priorities.
Name of the institution
Trine UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Town: DistantInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999School type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1884Trine University 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
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
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.