You’ve got what it takes to come to IU

See what’s required for first-year admission to Indiana University across seven campuses, two regional centers, and IU Online.

Common questions

What kind of high school degree is required to apply to IU?

All nine IU campuses require students to earn an accredited high school diploma or equivalent before enrollment. If you’re currently a high school student, this just means you should be on track to earn your diploma when you apply to IU. Specific coursework requirements vary by campus, but most require an Indiana Core 40 diploma or coursework comparable to a Core 40 curriculum.

Are the GED and other high school equivalency exams accepted?

Yes! IU Bloomington accepts the Indiana High School Equivalency Diploma. All other campuses also accept the GED (General Education Development) test, the TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion), and the HiSET (High School Equivalency Test). Some campuses set score minimums for these equivalency tests. You’ll find those listed in the “First-year admission standards by campus” table on this page.

Are ACT/SAT scores required?

IU has a test-optional admissions policy—students can choose at the point of application whether to have SAT and/or ACT scores considered as part of their application review.

First-year admission standards by campus

Get a glimpse of campus-specific admission requirements and standards for high school students, and visit campus websites to learn more.

• 8 credits (semesters) of English, such as literature, grammar, or composition
• 7 credits (semesters) of mathematics, including:
  • 4 credits of algebra and 2 credits of geometry (or an equivalent 6 credits of integrated algebra and geometry)
  • 1 credit of precalculus, trigonometry, statistics, finite, or calculus, or an alternative course demonstrating advanced math preparation
  • 2 credits of U.S. history
  • 2 credits of world history/civilization/geography
  • 2 additional credits in government, economics, sociology, history, or similar topics
  • Additional mathematics credits are recommended for students intending to pursue a science degree
  • Additional world language credits are recommended for all students

  High school students in Indiana: Core 40 diploma

  High school students out of state: High school curriculum equivalent to Indiana’s Core 40

  High school students: Diploma from an accredited high school

  GED recipients: The average of your scores must be 530 or higher

  HiSET: A score of 14 or higher on math, reading, science, or social studies and a score of 9 or higher on writing

  First-year applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.0.

  High school students in Indiana: Core 40 diploma

  • 4 years of English
  • 3 years of social science (history, government, economics, psychology, or sociology)
  • 3 years of math (Algebra I & II, geometry)
  • 3 years of lab science (biology, chemistry, or physics)
  • 4 years of additional college prep courses which include additional math, lab science, social science, computer science, foreign language, or other college-prep courses

  GED recipients: Students must have above-average scores.

  First-year applicants should rank in the upper half of their graduating class.

  High school students in Indiana: Core 40 diploma

  High school students out of state: High school curriculum equivalent to Indiana’s Core 40

  First-year applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.0.

  High school students in Indiana: Core 40 diploma

  High school students out of state, high school graduates prior to 2011, and homeschooled students: College prep credits equal or comparable to:

  • 4 years of English/language arts
  • 3 years of mathematics (Algebra I & II, geometry)
  • 3 years of lab science (biology, chemistry, or physics)
  • 3 years of social studies (history, government, economics, psychology, or sociology)
  • 4 years of additional college prep courses which include additional math, lab science, social science, computer science, foreign language, or other college-prep courses

  GED recipients: Passing score on the GED or other high school equivalency exam

  First-year applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.0.

  High school students in Indiana: Core 40 diploma or Indiana Academic Honors diploma

  High school students out of state, high school graduates prior to 2011, and homeschooled students: College prep credits equal or comparable to:

  • 4 years of English/language arts
  • 3 years of mathematics (Algebra I & II, geometry)
  • 3 years of lab science (biology, chemistry, or physics)
  • 3 years of social studies (history, government, economics, psychology, or sociology)
  • 4 years of additional college prep courses which include additional math, lab science, social science, computer science, foreign language, or other college-prep courses

  GED recipients: Minimum score of 500 or 50 (depending on year taken and scoring scale used)

  First-year applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.0.

  High school students in Indiana: Core 40 diploma

  High school students out of state: High school curriculum equivalent to Indiana’s Core 40

  GED recipients: Minimum score of 620

  TASC recipients: Minimum score of 669

  HiSET: Minimum score of 54

  High school students in Indiana: Core 40 diploma

  High school students out of state or graduated before 2011: 28 college preparatory high school courses

  Note: Application requirements and standards may differ for transfer students, international students, adult applicants, homeschooled students, or those who have been out of school for a year or more. For more information, visit the Admissions section of the website for the campus(es) you’re interested in, or contact their Office of Admissions to learn more.

  What if I don’t meet the admission standards for the campus I want to apply to?

  In some cases, IU may grant conditional admission to students who don’t meet all the requirements listed. If you’re not sure whether your credentials match the admission standards, contact the Office of Admissions for the campus(es) you’re interested in to talk through your options.

  What else can I do to make my application stand out?

  Academically, IU Bloomington encourages students to pursue a challenging high school curriculum that includes dual credit, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and/or Advance College Project (ACP) classes will give your application an edge. If you go to high school in Indiana, a Core 40 with Academic Honors or Core 40 with Technical Honors diploma can also help you stand out, no matter which IU campus(es) you apply to.

  Contact campus admissions

  Still have questions? IU Admissions staff and admissions counselors are always happy to help. Reach out directly to the Office of Admissions at the specific campus(es) you’re interested in:

  IU Northwest
  Phone: 219-980-6991 (or toll-free: 888-YOUR-IUN (968-7486))
  Fax: 219-981-4219
  Email: admit@iun.edu

  IU Southeast
  Phone: 812-941-2212 (or toll-free: 800-852-8835)
  Fax: 812-941-2595
  Email: admissions@ius.edu