How to Plan The Perfect Indiana College Tour

Do you have a high school junior or senior who is considering their college options? Or maybe you are a high school student who is trying to figure out what college is the best fit for you. Either way, you’ve come to the right place. Here at BusRental.net, we’ve helped thousands of students and educators plan trips and tours to the top colleges in the country. We’ve seen it all—every type of group size, every type of bus rental, and every type of itinerary. Our team is here to make your college tour a little less stressful, so you can focus on finding the perfect school.

Indiana is home to a variety of colleges and universities that are worth visiting. With Ivy Tech Community College, Purdue University, and Indiana University in the mix, the Hoosier State has some of the best schools in the country. Whether you’re a local Hoosier or a group traveling from out of state, we can make your trip to Indiana a breeze. We provide easy, stress-free bus rentals with professional drivers for groups of all shapes and sizes. Just give us a call at 877-200-4461 and tell us about your trip. We’ll provide you with a personalized, no-obligation quote so you can see how much your bus rental will cost.

Now that you know how easy it is to rent a bus in Indiana, let’s get down to business. Check out our ultimate guide to planning a college tour in Indiana:

Find the Right School

Before you start planning your Indiana college tour, you should make a list of the schools you want to visit. Indiana has a variety of public and private colleges, as well as community colleges, trade schools, and religious institutions. The best way to narrow down your options is to consider what type of school your student is interested in. Do they want to attend a large public university with a strong athletics program? Or would they rather attend a small liberal arts college with a tight-knit community? Once you have an idea of what you’re looking for, check out the schools on our list:

Public Universities

Public universities are funded by state governments, so they generally have more affordable tuition than private schools. They also tend to be larger and offer a wider range of degree programs.

Private Universities

Private universities are funded through tuition, donations, and other non-governmental sources. They tend to be smaller than public universities and often have a religious affiliation.

The Community College System of Indiana

The Community College System of Indiana consists of 9 schools that offer associate degree programs and workforce certifications. These schools are more affordable than 4-year universities and are an excellent option for students who want to save money or aren’t sure what they want to major in.

Create an Itinerary

Once you have a list of schools you want to visit, it’s time to create an itinerary. Keep in mind that most college tours last between 2 and 4 hours. You should aim to visit 2-3 schools per day so that you can see everything you want without feeling too rushed. If you’re traveling from out of state, you may want to consider booking your group’s lodging in advance. We recommend staying at hotels near the schools you will be visiting so that you can save money on transportation. Here’s an example itinerary to help you start planning:

2-Day Indiana College Tour

Day 1: Purdue University - West Lafayette

Day 1: Indianapolis

Day 2: Bloomington

Choose Your Transportation

If you’re planning a multi-day college tour with a large group, you may want to consider renting a charter bus to get around. Charter buses are the most convenient way to travel with a large group since they allow everyone to ride together in one vehicle. They also offer more storage space than other types of buses, so your group won’t have to worry about packing light. Each bus rental includes a professional driver who will handle all the logistics and navigation for your trip. That way, you can sit back and relax instead of stressing about how to get from one school to the next. What type of bus rental should you choose? We recommend a full-sized charter bus with 56 seats for large groups or a minibus with 18 seats for smaller groups. If you’re not sure which type of bus is best for your group, just give our team a call at 877-200-4461. We’ll help you figure out which bus rental is best for your group’s needs.

Pack Your Bags

You will be doing a lot of walking on your college tour, so we recommend packing light. Bring comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing so that you can explore each campus comfortably. You should also bring a notebook and pen so that you can take notes during each tour. It’s easy to get confused about which campus has which features, so writing down your thoughts can help you keep everything straight. Lastly, don’t forget to bring snacks and water for the bus ride. Most charter buses come with WiFi and TVs with DVD players, so you can stay entertained during the drive. Your bus rental will also include plenty of storage space for all of your luggage.

Schedule Your Tours

You should schedule your college tours at least two months in advance if possible, especially if you’re traveling with a large group. Some schools may be able to accommodate last-minute groups, but it’s always best to plan ahead. You can schedule tours online through each school’s website or by calling their admissions office directly. The availability of tours may vary depending on the time of year and the school’s academic calendar.

Schools with Self-Guided Tours

If you aren’t able to schedule an official campus tour, don’t worry. Many schools offer self-guided tours that are available any time during the day. You can pick up a map or download one from the school’s website and explore the campus at your own pace.

If you’re scheduling official tours at multiple schools throughout the day, we recommend leaving at least 2 hours between each tour. That way your group will have plenty of time to see everything they want without feeling rushed.

Schools with Virtual Tours

If you’re unable to schedule an in-person tour or travel to Indiana, many schools offer virtual tours on their websites. Virtual tours allow you to explore the campus from the comfort of your home. While virtual tours can be helpful, they don’t beat an in-person experience. You won’t be able to see every corner of the campus on a virtual tour, so we recommend planning an in-person trip if possible.

Purdue University—West Lafayette

Purdue University is one of the top public universities in the country. It is known for its strong engineering programs, which make up about 25% of its student body. Purdue offers official campus tours Monday through Friday at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm. The tour lasts about 90 minutes and includes a walking tour of campus led by a current student.

Purdue Memorial Union 101 N Grant St West Lafayette, IN 47907 (765) 494-1776

Indiana University—Bloomington

Indiana University—Bloomington is the flagship campus of Indiana University’s 9 campuses throughout the state. It has over 40,000 students and offers more than 550 degree programs. IU Bloomington offers official campus tours Monday through Friday at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm and on select Saturdays at 10:00 am. Visit the Bloomington campus for a great viewing!

Welcome Center 300 N Jordan Ave Bloomington, IN 47406 (812) 855-0661

IUPUI—Indianapolis

Indianapolis is home to Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, a public research university that is known for its health and life science programs. Indianapolis offers campus tours Monday through Friday at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm and on select Saturdays at 10:00 am. Tours last about 90 minutes and include a walking tour of campus led by a current student.

Campus Center 420 University Blvd Indianapolis, IN 46202 (317) 274-4591

University of Notre Dame—Notre Dame

University of Notre Dame is a Catholic research university located in the city of South Bend. It is known for its strong athletics program and rigorous academics. Notre Dame offers campus tours Monday through Friday at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm and on select Saturdays at 9:00 am. Tours last about 2 hours and include a walking tour of campus led by a current student.

Hammes Mowbray Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 (574) 631-7505

Taylor University—Upland

Taylor University is a private Christian university that is located about halfway between Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. It is known for its strong liberal arts programs and close-knit community. Taylor University offers campus tours Monday through Friday at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm.

236 W Reade Ave Upland, IN 46989 (765) 998-2751

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology—Terre Haute

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is a private college that focuses on engineering, mathematics, and science. It is known for its small class sizes and rigorous academic programs. Rose-Hulman offers campus tours Monday through Friday at 9:00 am, 11:30 am, and 2:00 pm. The tour lasts about 90 minutes and includes a walking tour of campus led by a current student.

Otte Hall 5500 Wabash Ave Terre Haute, IN 47803 (812) 877-1511

Plan Your Indiana College Tour Today

Now that you know what schools you want to visit and how you’ll get there, you’re ready to plan your Indiana college tour. If you have any other questions about planning your trip, just give us a call at 877-200-4461. Safe travels!