Living expenses: I can't attest to this, unfortunately. No experience with illegal work. Cost of living is sure to be lower in Indiana, but I couldn't say much beyond that.

Finding job after: When I hired on at my first job as an intern, it was in a college town. I didn't attend this college, but after hiring, my boss assumed I had. So, he had no idea what University I attended. I'd say this usually boils down more to connections, people you know at some place that can get your resume to someone. My experience.