Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Gary

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Gary, Indiana (2022)Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0
Colleges in and near Gary

Gary is home to Indiana University-Northwest

Indiana University-Northwest (2,280 students on campus) is inside the city. About 3% of Gary’s residents are enrolled in college, below Indiana (6%).

Indiana University-Northwest

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Gary. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
5
15,871 students on campus
Nearest college
2.4 mi
Indiana University-Northwest
Residents in college
3%
Below IN (6%)
Nearest community college
138.3 mi
Ivy Tech · $5,154 tuition
Nearest public university
2.4 mi
Indiana University-Northwest · $8,424 in-state
Median household income
$39K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Gary

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university in GaryIndiana University-Northwest has 2,280 students on campus in Gary, 37% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at Indiana University-NorthwestLiving in Indiana, Indiana University-Northwest charges $8,424 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $22,811. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 138.3 miles awayIvy Tech Community College in Indianapolis: tuition and fees $5,154 a year for Indiana residents.Students are 3% of residentsBelow Indiana (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Gary

One private college within 9.4 miles, two public colleges within 6.6 miles, and two community colleges.

5 mi10 mi15 miPurdue University NorthwestIndiana University-NorthwestGary
University or collegeCommunity college
Indiana University-NorthwestUniversity or college · Public · 2,280 on campus · In Gary73%admitted$5knet price37%graduate$43kearningsPurdue University NorthwestUniversity or college · Public · 7,964 on campus · 6.6 mi · Hammond72%admitted$6knet price43%graduate$48kearningsCalumet College of Saint JosephUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 481 on campus · 9.4 mi · Whiting$22knet price23%graduate$47kearningsSouth Suburban CollegeCommunity college · Public · 3,085 on campus · 14.1 mi · South Holland, IL$3knet price28%graduate$34kearningsTuition and fees: $5,093 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey CollegeCommunity college · Public · 2,061 on campus · 15 mi · Chicago, IL$9knet price21%graduate$31kearningsTuition and fees: $4,590 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $30–48k, where Gary’s median household income ($38,731) falls.

Indiana University-NorthwestIn Gary · sticker $13,989$331a year
South Suburban College14.1 mi · South Holland, IL · sticker $10,834 · tuition $5,093$1,767a year
Purdue University Northwest6.6 mi · Hammond · sticker $15,571$2,428a year
City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College15 mi · Chicago, IL · sticker $16,126 · tuition $4,590$7,373a year
Calumet College of Saint Joseph9.4 mi · Whiting · sticker $32,968$22,931a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Gary: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Indiana University-NorthwestPurdue University NorthwestSouth Suburban CollegeCity Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College
Purdue University Northwest43% graduate$48k earnings$21k typical debt
South Suburban College28% graduate$34k earnings
Indiana University-Northwest37% graduate$43k earnings$22k typical debt
City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College21% graduate$31k earnings$8k typical debt
Calumet College of Saint Joseph23% graduate$47k earnings$22k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Gary

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Indiana University-Northwest, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Health professions 36%Business 14%Liberal arts 12%Psychology 9%Education 4%Public administration 4%Everything else 21%

Biggest programs

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing86 graduates a year
$83k4 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities67 graduates a year
$48k4 yrs out
Business/Commerce, General57 graduates a year
$56k4 yrs out
Psychology, General44 graduates a year
$45k4 yrs out
Social Work28 graduates a year
$52k4 yrs out
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions28 graduates a year
$67k4 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions26 graduates a year
$87k4 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections23 graduates a year
$58k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Gary

Is Gary a college town?

No. About 3 of every 100 Gary residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Indiana (6). The largest campus in the city, Indiana University-Northwest, has 2,280 students on campus.

What colleges are in Gary?

Indiana University-Northwest is inside the city. Ivy Tech Community College is 138.3 miles away in Indianapolis.

What is the closest community college to Gary, and what does it cost?

Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, 138.3 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,154 a year for Indiana residents; the federal net price, $7,258, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Indiana University-Northwest cost if we live in Indiana?

Tuition and fees are $8,424 a year in-state and $22,811 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $1,419 (under $30,000 income) to $13,042 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Gary. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →