Nowadays, it seems like receiving an education has become less about the degree itself and more about the prestige of the college experience. For many students, however, a community college presents the best and fastest way to kick-start a career, or the most affordable way to earn a bachelor’s degree by transferring credits to a four-year school. Ivy Tech Community College presents just such opportunities, propelling Hoosiers toward and beyond their goals.
Ivy Tech Community College was founded in 1963 as Indiana Vocational Technical College. Back then, the school focused primarily on technical and vocational education, but underwent major changes in the more than 50 years since. Today, Ivy Tech is Indiana’s only full-fledged community college, offering more than 150 programs, as well as more than 100 transfer programs with in-state and out-of-state schools.
With more than 40 school locations and classes taught in more than 75 communities, Ivy Tech Community College has grown to become the largest public postsecondary institution in Indiana. The school is also the largest singly-accredited statewide community college system in the entire country. Ivy Tech is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and is a member of the North Central Association.
Ivy Tech offers such Northwest Indiana locations as Michigan City and Valparaiso, where students maximize on their potential while saving their time and money. Each curriculum is shaped with the needs of local communities in mind; Northwest Indiana’s unique economic and social temperament are taken into consideration. Affordable tuition rates (annual full-time tuition being just over $4,200) keep higher education accessible for the community’s residents. This consideration results in over 97% of Ivy Tech graduates staying in Indiana.
Ivy Tech Community College offers hands-on experience with some of the state’s most advanced technologies and training facilities, plus the convenience of more than 1,000 online classes. Another great asset is the intimacy of the classes; professors and instructors can gift students the undivided attention that comes with a small average class size of 22.
All these elements combine to make Ivy Tech a true engine of Indiana’s workforce, training Hoosiers for the careers that will grow our future economy.
Ivy Tech’s mission statement summarizes it best: We are Ivy Tech, Indiana’s Community College. We serve the people of our state through accessible and affordable world-class education and adaptive learning. We empower our students to achieve their career and transfer aspirations. We embrace our vision of economic transformation inspired by the education and earnings attainment of our citizens, the vitality of our workforce, and the prosperity of our unique and diverse communities.
