The only public school with an Indianapolis-based campus is Indiana University/Purdue University Indianapolis, located on the west end of downtown. It is part of the Indiana-Purdue co-op system with two campuses, one in Indianapolis and the other in Fort Wayne. The Indiana College Network offers opportunities for Indianapolis students to learn from different schools in other cities, including Ball State (Muncie), Indiana State (Terre Haute) and Purdue (West Lafayette). Each school offers bachelor's and master's programs in a broad variety of occupations.
Butler University, located six miles northwest of downtown Indianapolis, is one of two campuses that are run by private institutions rather than by the state. The University of Indianapolis, eight miles south of downtown, is the city's other private school. Each campus offers bachelor's and master's opportunities. Butler is known as a school popular with elementary education majors, while Indianapolis is popular with business and nursing students.
Indianapolis is home to two schools with faith-based backgrounds. Marian University, located 10 minutes northwest of downtown Indianapolis and just off Interstate 65, is designed for students with Catholic or Franciscan backgrounds. It offers students chances to partake in religious activities such as retreats, masses, and growth and leadership opportunities through the community ministry. Business, education, liberal arts, mathematics and nursing are the five major areas of study offered through Marian. The Christian Theological Seminary offers religious students the chance to serve churches as pastors, but it also offers specialized degrees in psychotherapy, faith, and marriage and family therapy. The school is four miles north of downtown Indianapolis.
For students who desire two-year education programs, or those who wish to learn a skill right away, the city has to two community colleges. Indianapolis is home to one of Ivy Tech's 23 campuses across the state of Indiana, and it offers degrees in more than 150 programs spread out across nine schools of study.
National College has branches in South Bend and Fort Wayne as well as campuses in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. It offers study in areas ranging from accounting and business to radio and television.
Specialized schools where the focus of study is narrower are located throughout Indianapolis. ITT Technical Institute services those interested in computers, software and web development. The Art Institute offer programs for media, fashion and culinary students. Fortis College and MedTech College cater to students interested in the health care field. Kaplan College specializes in accounting and office administration. Lincoln College of Technology's Automotive branch offers classes for those interested in cars and their inner workings.
Rounding out the list of Indianapolis schools are other specialized colleges like Brown Mackie and Harrison College, both of which offer health care degrees. Brown Mackie also offers business and legal studies degrees. Martin University offers degrees in 14 study areas, including addiction counseling and gerontology. The Chef's Academy at Harrison is meant for students whose desire is to enter the restaurant field. Empire Beauty School offers a cosmetology-based program. No matter what your area of study might be, chances are it is offered in Indianapolis.