Indiana University O'Neill School
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.25
- Size
- N/A
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- N/A
- Setting
- N/A
- Graduation Rate
- N/A
- Retention Rate
- N/A
- Tuition (In-State)
- N/A
- Tuition (Int'l)
- N/A
Student Life & Environment
Students at the O'Neill School experience a vibrant community combining academic rigor with professional development and social connection. The school occupies dedicated facilities on Indiana University's beautiful Bloomington campus, providing spaces for studying, collaboration, and informal interaction. Graduate students maintain offices within the school, creating opportunities for cross-cohort relationships and peer support. Student organizations address professional interests including policy areas, career paths, and social activities. Groups focused on environmental affairs, nonprofit management, international development, and specific policy domains provide programming beyond formal curriculum. Social events build community and help students manage the demands of intensive graduate study. Bloomington's character as a quintessential college town provides an affordable and enjoyable setting for graduate education. The small city of approximately 85,000 residents revolves largely around the university, with restaurants, bars, music venues, and cultural institutions catering to student tastes and budgets. Housing costs fall well below those in major coastal cities, allowing students to live comfortably on modest budgets. The professional nature of O'Neill programs means students typically have work experience before enrollment, creating mature cohorts focused on career advancement rather than initial professional entry. This experience level influences classroom discussions, networking dynamics, and social interactions. Many students have families or other life responsibilities requiring balance with academic demands.
Location & Surroundings
Indiana University's flagship campus occupies a picturesque setting in Bloomington, a city of approximately 85,000 in the rolling hills of southern Indiana, about 50 miles south of Indianapolis. The campus itself features beautiful limestone architecture, extensive green spaces, and a classic collegiate atmosphere that contrasts with urban university settings. The surrounding town has developed around the university, creating a symbiotic relationship where academic and community life intertwine. Bloomington's small city character offers advantages and limitations for graduate students. Affordable housing, minimal traffic, and a safe environment support focused academic work. Local businesses cater to university community tastes with diverse restaurants, craft breweries, and cultural venues. However, those seeking big-city amenities will find options limited compared to metropolitan areas. The Midwestern climate brings distinct seasons with hot, humid summers and cold winters including regular snowfall. Spring and fall provide pleasant transitional periods ideal for enjoying the area's natural beauty. Outdoor recreation opportunities include hiking in nearby state parks, cycling on rural roads, and water activities on Monroe Lake just minutes from campus. Transportation connections to larger cities remain limited. Indianapolis provides the nearest major airport, approximately an hour's drive north. Chicago lies roughly four hours by car. Within Bloomington, most students find cars useful though not absolutely essential, as campus and downtown amenities cluster within walking and cycling distance of typical student housing areas.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Graduate education at the O'Neill School requires significant financial investment, though costs compare favorably to peer institutions. Indiana resident tuition runs approximately $14,000 annually for master's programs, while non-resident rates approach $40,000. Living expenses in Bloomington's affordable environment typically range from $12,000 to $18,000 annually depending on lifestyle choices. Financial support options help offset costs for many students. Graduate assistantships provide tuition remission and stipends in exchange for research or teaching support, with approximately 30% of master's students receiving such awards. Merit scholarships recognize exceptional applicants with varying levels of support. Federal loans remain available for students requiring additional financing. Career outcomes reflect the school's strong reputation and extensive alumni network. Master's graduates pursue careers across government agencies, nonprofit organizations, consulting firms, and increasingly private sector roles requiring public policy expertise. Median starting salaries for recent graduates typically fall in the $50,000 to $65,000 range, with substantial variation based on sector, geography, and specialization. Major employers of O'Neill graduates include federal agencies such as EPA, HHS, and GAO; state and local governments throughout the Midwest and nationally; major consulting firms including Deloitte, McKinsey, and Booz Allen Hamilton; and nonprofit organizations spanning policy advocacy, direct service, and international development. Career services provide support throughout the job search process, leveraging alumni connections and employer relationships developed over decades.
Campus Location
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