by Jan Lazor

Created on: July 24, 2011   Last Updated: July 25, 2011

Indianapolis, best known as the host city of the Indianapolis 500, offers much more than the annual Memorial Day race, especially for graduates looking to further their education.

Students fresh out of high school or adults looking to return to class to advance their careers, will find an extensive education network to get them on the track to success within the city limits of Indiana’s capital city.

Thirty-one colleges, universities and technical schools call Indianapolis home. Choosing the top school from among the city’s offerings depends on the career goals each student strives to achieve.

Top choice if you are looking for a liberal arts curriculum is Butler University. The 290-acre campus has more to offer than a top ranking basketball team. Named the “Best in the Midwest” by US News & World Report, Butler has more to brag about than its appearance in the NCAA Basketball Championship game in 2011.

Six separate schools operate within the tight knit campus community. Programs include schools of education, pharmacy and health sciences, communication, business, fine arts, and a liberal arts and science program. Butler, home of the Bulldogs, must be doing something right. Eighty-nine percent of the 2009 freshman class returned to campus for their sophomore year, exceeding the national average for student retention.

If Butler isn’t the right school for you, don’t despair. The IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University campus) is just two blocks west of the Indiana State Capitol in the heart of Indianapolis. Founded in 1968 as a joint venture between the two largest schools in the state and city leaders, the school has come a long way in the past 40-years.

Students can choose from more than 200 degree programs that the 21 schools of discipline offer at IUPUI.

According to US News & World Report, IUPUI is an up and coming university. The magazine ranked the school eighth among Midwest schools and fifth on its list of schools to watch.

Still not the right program or atmosphere for you? Check out the University of Indianapolis. UIndy, as it is known locally, is designed for both residential as well as commuting students. It offers 82 majors for undergraduate students as well as a flexible study program for adults juggling full-time jobs and families.

If a liberal arts program isn’t what you are looking for, technical schools abound in the greater Indianapolis area. Whether you want to pursue a career in the health field, cosmetology, auto repairs and refurbishing, or the hospitality industry, you can find a program that meets your needs in Indiana’s capital city.

Looking for a christian based school? Indianapolis has that too. The city is home to the Crossroads Bible College and the Christian Theological Seminary.

Fortis College, Harrison College, Ivy Tech Community College-Central have class sites in Indianapolis along with Lincoln Technical School and several schools of cosmetology and culinary programs. Whether you are looking for a specific career program or want to shop around for a  program that sets your creative fires aflame, Indianapolis is the place to be. With its diverse educational choices and big city setting, you are sure to find a course of study that is perfect for you.

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