Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
South Bend, Indiana
86% Acceptance Rate
Indiana University-South Bend — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
86%Acceptance Rate
3.24Avg GPA
1072Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$15,984Annual Cost
$44,947Grad Salary
41.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
86%
Avg GPA
3.24
Avg SAT
1072
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
970–1170
ACT Middle 50%
21–25
Avg Net Price
$8,364
Need-Based Aid
41.2% receive Pell
Indiana University-South Bend is a public, regional campus of Indiana University dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality education. With a supportive and community-focused environment, the university offers a variety of programs that prepare students for professional success and regional leadership.
Indiana University-South Bend Acceptance Rate
Indiana University-South Bend (IUSB) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 86% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 86% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.24 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.04 – 3.23
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.79
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Indiana University-South Bend Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Indiana University-South Bend follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of November 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 85 days left — Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
IUSB reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Priority
November 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
IUSB GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at IUSB is 3.24. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.94–3.24 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.44–3.64.IUSB GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.24 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.04 – 3.23
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.84 – 3.03
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.83
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- General first-year admission requires no essay, no letter of recommendation, and is test-optional; Nursing application deadlines are April 1 (Fall start) and November 1 (Spring start), applied for only after completing pre-nursing prerequisites
- Dental Hygiene requires documented shadowing (4+ hours minimum) within a specific 12-month window ending at the February 1 application deadline, plus a competitive non-traditional interview using a formal rubric
- Dental Hygiene's cumulative GPA calculation includes coursework from ALL institutions attended - not just the "IU GPA" shown on an IU transcript, which excludes non-IU coursework
- Fall 2025 admitted Dental Hygiene cohort averaged a 3.67 cumulative GPA and 3.65 science GPA - published, current benchmark data for applicant self-assessment
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at IUSB
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Indiana University-South Bend's verified institutional data
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Indiana University-South Bend (IUSB) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if IUSB is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into IUSB Without SAT or ACT?
IUSB considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Indiana University-South Bend Average SAT Score: 1072
The average SAT score of admitted students at Indiana University-South Bend is 1072 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1072 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1170 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Indiana University-South Bend allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 970, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at IUSB. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 530 | 480 | 580 |
| SAT Reading | 540 | 490 | 590 |
| SAT Composite | 1072 | 970 | 1170 |
Below 970, you're behind most admitted students; at 1170 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into Indiana University-South Bend (IUSB) with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of IUSB's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Indiana University-South Bend (IUSB) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at IUSB is 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 22 | 19 | 25 |
| ACT English | 24 | 21 | 26 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 21 | 25 |
Can I get into Indiana University-South Bend with a 25 ACT?
A 25 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of IUSB's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at IUSB.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for IUSB
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into IUSB isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Submit your Nursing application only after completing pre-nursing prerequisites - and hit the exact April 1/November 1 split by intended start term
IU South Bend's School of Nursing application deadlines are structured specifically around completed pre-nursing prerequisites: April 1 for Fall Semester start, November 1 for Spring Semester start - and IUSB explicitly states nursing admission is "very competitive." Confirm your prerequisites are genuinely complete (not just in-progress) before your target deadline, and contact the School of Nursing directly (574-520-4571) for the specific current-cycle requirements rather than relying on general university admission information, since the nursing application is functionally a separate, competitive process layered on top of general IUSB admission.
If Dental Hygiene is your goal, plan your shadowing hours around the exact 1-year application window, not just "before applying"
IUSB's Entry-level Dental Hygiene Program requires documented shadowing of a practicing dental hygienist for a minimum of 4 hours, with observations required to have occurred within the calendar year immediately preceding the February 1 application deadline (e.g., between Feb 1, 2025 and Feb 1, 2026 for a Feb 1, 2026 deadline) - shadowing from earlier than that window doesn't count. Schedule your shadowing deliberately within this specific 12-month window on official office letterhead documentation, rather than assuming any past shadowing experience automatically satisfies the requirement.
Understand Dental Hygiene's cumulative GPA calculation includes ALL institutions attended - not just your IU transcript
IUSB explicitly states that the cumulative GPA used for Dental Hygiene admission includes all undergraduate/graduate coursework from every institution attended, and specifically that the "IU GPA" shown on an IU transcript is NOT used because it excludes non-IU coursework. If you've taken courses at another institution before or alongside IUSB, calculate your true full cumulative GPA yourself rather than relying on what your IU transcript displays, since the two numbers can differ meaningfully and the program uses the broader calculation.
Benchmark your GPA against the actual competitive cohort - recent Dental Hygiene admits averaged a 3.67 cumulative and 3.65 science GPA
IUSB publishes real outcome data: the Fall 2025 admitted Dental Hygiene cohort had an average Application GPA of 3.67 and Science GPA of 3.65 - concrete, current benchmarks rather than a vague "competitive" descriptor. Use these specific numbers to honestly assess your own competitiveness before investing in a full application cycle, and if your GPA is meaningfully below these averages, discuss your candidacy directly with an academic advisor as IUSB explicitly recommends, rather than applying without that context.
Expert Insight:
Because IUSB's general first-year admission requires no essay, no letter of recommendation, and is test-optional, applicants can significantly underestimate how selective its clinical health programs actually are. Nursing is explicitly described by the university itself as "very competitive," and Dental Hygiene publishes real average-GPA benchmarks (3.67 cumulative) well above IUSB's general admission bar - treating these programs with the same low-friction expectation as general university admission, rather than researching program-specific competitiveness data, is a common and costly miscalculation for applicants.
IUSB Profile
Full Name
Indiana University-South Bend (IUSB)
City
South Bend
State
Indiana
ZIP Code
46615-7111
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a IUSB Degree Worth It?
IUSB offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $59,200, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.16%.
How much does a degree from IUSB Cost?
The sticker price is $15,984/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $8,364.
41.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 36.5% take federal loans at IUSB. File your FAFSA early and list IUSB as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a IUSB Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $44,947. That's about 11% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Indiana University-South Bend. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
| Point University | West Point, GA | 1059 | 19 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Indiana University-South Bend. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
| Piedmont University | Demorest, GA | 1074 | 21 |
| Shorter University | Rome, GA | 1075 | 20 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Indiana University-South Bend. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
Degree Programs at IUSB
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About IUSB Admissions
Median earnings for Indiana University-South Bend graduates sit around $44,947 a year.
At about $15,984 a year, Indiana University-South Bend is on the more affordable end.
About 41.2% receive a Pell Grant at Indiana University-South Bend. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 86%, Indiana University-South Bend's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Indiana University-South Bend average a 3.24 GPA.
Indiana University-South Bend doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.94 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.84, Indiana University-South Bend becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Indiana University-South Bend — aim above 1072, ideally within the 970–1170 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Indiana University-South Bend is November 1. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The application fee is 35. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is November 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.