#63, overall score 57.83/100
Fun Fact:
The annual Little 500 bicycle race is attended by more than 25,000 people every April and has raised over $1 million in scholarship money.
Why should Jewish students attend Indiana University? IU is an excellent university with many top schools, including the Kelley School of Business, the Borns Jewish Studies Program, the School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the new Media School, to name just a few. IU is an excellent place for Jewish students. The university is very supportive of and welcoming to Jewish students, and there are many opportunities for Jewish students to build their Jewish identity and access the Jewish community. The Hillel program is very strong at IU and Jewish life flourishes here. — Rabbi Sue Laikin Silberberg, executive director, Helene G. Simon Hillel Center
CAMPUS INFORMATION
- Location: Bloomington, Ind.
- Region: Midwest
- Campus type: College town
- Public/Private: Public
- Undergraduate enrollment: 39,184
- Jewish undergraduate enrollment: 4,500
- Jewish population share: 11%
- Student newspaper: Indiana Daily Student
- NCAA Division: I
- NCAA team: Hoosiers
- Ultimate Frisbee teams: HoosierMama?s / Calamity Jane
COST & AID Score: 4.17/15
- Score: 4.17/15
- In-state tuition: $10,533
- Out-of-state tuition: $34,845
- Room & board costs: $10,258
- Average annual scholarship/grant package: $11,519
- Average loan debt: $28,792
- Scholarship for Jewish students: The Russell “Rusty” Sneiderman Memorial Scholarship
ACADEMICS Score: 3.33/20
- Score: 3.33/20
- Acceptance rate: 76%
- Student/faculty ratio: 16.85:1
- Median SAT range: 1140-1350
- Jewish Studies program: The Robert A. and Sandra S. Borns Jewish Studies Program
- Jewish Studies major: Yes
- Hebrew major: Minor
What Students Say:
“I feel the political landscape on campus is a unique tapestry of opinions. Bloomington is one of the few liberal places in the very conservative state of Indiana. This placement allows for the free exchange of ideas and opinions from both sides in a safe and educational setting.”
ISRAEL Score: 17/20
- Score: 17/20
- Size of Birthright trip: 150
- School-approved study abroad program in Israel: Yes
- Israel Studies center: No
- Israel-related clubs: Hoosiers for Israel, Indiana Israel Public Affairs Committee, Students Supporting Israel at Indiana University, TAMID, J Street U
- Jewish Agency for Israel fellow: No
- BDS vote in last four years: Never introduced
SAFETY Score: 8/11
- Score: 8/11
- Anti-Semitic incidents in 2017: 0
- Campus crime rate: 2.31/1,000 students (medium low)
- City crime rate: 36.34/1,000 people (medium high)
- LGBT center: Yes
What Students Say:
“Indiana University is an extremely Israel-friendly campus. I always feel very proud to share my connection to Israel and rarely feel threatened for my beliefs towards Israel.”
JEWISH LIFE Score: 25.33/34
- Score: 25.33/34
- Hillel: Indiana University Hillel
- Chabad: Chabad House at Indiana University
- OU-JLIC: No
- Jewish fraternities: AEPi, ΣAM, ZBT
- Jewish sororities: SDT
- Jewish a capella group: Hooshir
- Can you get kosher food on the school meal plan? Yes
- Chicken soup hotline: Yes
- Active Hillel clubs: 15
- Hillel Friday night services: 2
- Average Shabbat attendance – Hillel: 150
- Synagogues within 10 miles: 1 (Reform)
- Eruv: No
- Most famous Jewish alum: Mark Cuban
- Most unique/noteworthy club: Indiana University has classes for university credit that are taught by Hillel staff, the most popular of which include Jewish Cooking and Greek Jewish Leadership.
- Where do Jewish students come from? All over the country.
- Kosher food details: Hillel is the provider of kosher food for the university.
What Students Say:
“The Hillel on campus is very active and great at creating a strong sense of a Jewish community. The have regular programming for all types of students, and are masters of inclusion so that anyone on campus can feel included in the overarching Jewish community.”
Do you attend this school? Do you want to tell us more about what life there is like? Take our survey here, and your feedback could be featured in next year’s guide! And if you’re a student or campus professional, join our online community Jewish Campus Confidential, and apply to become a Forward Campus Ambassador.
