Ivy Tech is Indiana’s only full-fledged community college, serving the entire state of Indiana, and the largest singly accredited community college system in the nation. The school offers affordable degree and training programs that are aligned with the needs of its community, along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities. Ivy Tech Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.
Ivy Tech Community College was founded in 1963 as Indiana Vocational Technical College. Back then, it focused primarily on technical and vocational education—but today Ivy Tech is a full-service community college, with over 150 academic programs and concentrations. Offerings vary by campus and are divided into four divisions: Health Science, Technology, Business and Public Services, and University/Transfer (which offers more than 100 transfer programs with in-state and out-of-state schools).
Ivy Tech students can earn degrees and certificates in 23 different fields. The highest degree offered at Ivy Tech Community College is an associate degree. Popular programs include: Health Professions and Related Programs, Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services, Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services.
Personal Attention
Even though Ivy Tech Community College has a total enrollment of 98,778, it maintains an average student-faculty ratio of 20-to-1. The current class size at Ivy Tech is only about 22 students. Classes at Ivy Tech are designed to facilitate interaction with peers and the instruction to provide a rich, collaborative, supportive learning environment.
The faculty and staff of Ivy Tech Community College hold to the idea that the students are very important. This is the main reason why faculty and staff decide to be in student-service positions. By doing whatever it takes to make the college experience a more enriching one for the students, they are helping the community to become a better place, as they help students to better themselves.
Homeschool Students
Ivy Tech Community College has an open admissions policy and offers credit for life experiences. The school is also very homeschool-friendly. According to Ivy Tech’s website, “As the parent of a homeschooled child, it’s clear that your family values education and student success. We share your commitment to student success and strive to provide students with an affordable, career-focused education and the attention they need to be successful in the classroom.”
Homeschool students can easily take classes at Ivy Tech no matter where they live. Ivy Tech has 32 degree-granting campuses throughout Indiana and offers classes in more than 75 communities across the state. To find the Ivy Tech campus closest to you, click here. In addition, Ivy Tech Community College offers several online programs that give students unmatched flexibility in fitting college classes into their busy schedules.
Get a Head-Start On College Credit
At Ivy Tech, students can enroll in college classes while working to earn a high school diploma. The community college recognizes that some courses, like foreign language or lab-based science classes, can be difficult to teach in a homeschool setting. Students who are 16 years old and older are welcome to enroll at Ivy Tech and begin earning college credits while taking courses necessary for high school graduation. Any student planning to enroll in a dual credit class will have to take the Accuplacer test. For more information, click here.
Student Life
At Ivy Tech Community College, there are many opportunities for students to enroll in extra-curricular activities, start a student organization, participate in leadership training, attend a family event or movie night, study abroad, volunteer for a community service program, join a recreation league or class, or make a difference in student government. For more information about student life, click here.
Unmatched Options
Ivy Tech Community College is a great choice whether students want to enter the workforce quickly or continue on toward a bachelor’s degree. Students can complete an industry-relevant credential in two years or less, or transfer their credits to a four-year institution – all while saving thousands of dollars in avoided tuition costs. The in-state tuition and fees for 2013-14 were $3,605, and out-of-state tuition and fees were $7,632. There is no application fee at Ivy Tech Community College. Applications are valid for two years and are applicable to all Ivy Tech campuses. For more information about Admissions, click here.
American Honors
Ivy Tech Community College offers a two-year honors program that prepares students for junior- and senior-level coursework at the nation’s finest colleges and universities. American Honors is designed for high achievers who want to stay close to home for their first two years of college and save tuition costs. Graduates from the American Honors program have successfully transferred to Indiana University, Purdue University, the University of Pennsylvania – an Ivy League institution – and even Stanford, the most selective college in the country. From McGill University in Canada to the University of Central Florida, there are choices that match every student’s dreams and ambitions. For more information on the American Honors program, click here.
Ivy Works
IvyWorks is a program at Ivy Tech Community College that is designed to give students the skills they need to start or further a career in one of Indiana’s leading industries. In August 2016, Ivy Tech launched a two-year program to train students for careers in supply chain management and logistics, two of Indiana’s fastest-growing fields. The program’s curriculum was designed with the help of Conexus Indiana, the state’s advanced manufacturing and logistics initiative. The course offerings are equally valuable to those who want to enter the field and to those who are currently employed but want to become more upwardly mobile. The program will have both online and face-to-face coursework, making it accessible to students throughout the state. For more information on the IvyWorks program, click here.