Indiana University-Bloomington admits 80.4% of applicants, meaning roughly 4 in 5 applicants receive offers of admission. This Open Access admission rate places the university among the more accessible flagship public research institutions nationally. The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates that Indiana University-Bloomington's selectivity aligns closely with similar large public universities, making it representative of typical flagship admission standards rather than exceptionally competitive. This level of accessibility means that academically prepared students have reasonable prospects for admission, though competitive academic credentials remain important for scholarship consideration and honors program admission. Students should view Indiana University-Bloomington as a match or safety school if their academic profile aligns with the university's enrolled student characteristics. The combination of accessible admission with strong test score ranges suggests the university attracts academically capable students while maintaining inclusive admission practices. For students building balanced college lists, Indiana University-Bloomington represents a solid foundation option that combines flagship university resources with realistic admission prospects, particularly for students seeking comprehensive academic programs and research opportunities within Indiana's public higher education system.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Indiana University-Bloomington enrolled students demonstrate strong academic preparation with SAT scores typically ranging from 1170 to 1400, representing the middle 50% of enrolled students. The SAT median of 1308 indicates that most admitted students score well above national averages, with Math scores ranging from 580 to 710 and Verbal scores from 590 to 690. ACT scores range from 27 to 32 with a median of 29, reflecting consistent academic strength across standardized testing formats. These test score ranges rank among the highest we track nationally, placing Indiana University-Bloomington at the 97th percentile for both SAT and ACT performance among enrolled students. The university's peer median SAT of 1198 means enrolled students score 110 points higher than typical flagship public university students, indicating stronger academic preparation than many similar institutions. Students scoring within the 1170-1400 SAT range or 27-32 ACT range should consider themselves academically competitive for admission. Those scoring below the 25th percentile ranges may face greater competition but should not view themselves as automatically excluded, particularly if other application elements demonstrate academic potential. Students should recognize that these ranges represent enrolled students rather than admission minimums, and that approximately 25% of enrolled students scored above the 75th percentile ranges, indicating room for high-achieving applicants across the academic spectrum.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Indiana University-Bloomington enrolls a student body with moderate economic diversity relative to flagship public universities. The university serves 16.7% Pell-eligible students, indicating that roughly 1 in 6 enrolled students comes from lower-income families qualifying for federal need-based aid. First-generation students comprise 22.1% of enrollment, meaning approximately 1 in 5 students represents the first in their family to attend college. Transfer students account for 6.6% of enrollment, reflecting limited transfer pathways relative to other large public institutions. This composition suggests the university primarily serves traditional college-going populations while maintaining meaningful representation of students from diverse educational and economic backgrounds. The student profile indicates that Indiana University-Bloomington attracts students from established educational families alongside those breaking new ground in higher education. Geographic diversity brings students from across Indiana and neighboring states, creating a student community that reflects both local and regional demographics. Students from lower-income families should recognize that while they represent a smaller share of enrollment compared to access-focused institutions, the university successfully supports degree completion for Pell-eligible students. First-generation students will find substantial peer networks among the 22.1% of students who share similar family educational backgrounds, providing community and support systems during the college transition.
Indiana University-Bloomington's 80.4% admission rate makes it accessible for most academically prepared students, though competitive scholarships and honors programs may require stronger credentials.
Strong options in your region with comparable outcomes.
Indiana University-Bloomington demonstrates strong student success with 90.5% of freshmen returning for sophomore year, significantly above the peer median retention rate of 83.7%. The university graduates 81.2% of students within six years, substantially exceeding the peer median completion rate of 65.9%. These metrics indicate robust institutional support systems and academic environments that promote degree completion across diverse student populations. Notably, Pell-eligible students graduate at 59.6%, creating a 21.6 percentage point gap compared to the overall completion rate. This gap suggests that while the university successfully supports many low-income students, additional challenges may affect degree completion for students from the most economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The substantial difference between Pell and overall completion rates indicates prospective low-income students should carefully evaluate support resources and consider the financial sustainability of degree completion. Students who gain admission can expect strong institutional infrastructure for academic support, with retention and completion rates well above national averages for public research universities. The high retention rate suggests that most students find appropriate academic fit and support during their first year, leading to continued enrollment. Prospective students should view these completion rates as indicators of the academic environment and support systems they can expect, while recognizing that individual outcomes depend on personal engagement with available resources and academic preparation for university-level coursework.
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