Hammond, IN · Private University
Is Purdue University Northwest Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$48,318
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,419
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$15,620
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$62,480
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.09x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
44.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,229
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$8,463
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Purdue University Northwest graduates earn $3,318 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Purdue University Northwest ranked by graduate earnings
37 graduates
68 graduates
22 graduates
804 graduates
29 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Purdue University Northwest
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Purdue University Northwest, the gap between the highest-earning major (Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering: $90,673) and the lowest (Computer Software and Media Applications: $21,532) is $69,141/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringBest ROI | $90,673 | 5.8x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $77,927 | 5.0x |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians(1yr data) | $75,675 | 4.8x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $75,243 | 4.8x |
| Civil Engineering(1yr data) | $69,339 | 4.4x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $68,485 | 4.4x |
| Construction Engineering Technologies(1yr data) | $68,284 | 4.4x |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $67,622 | 4.3x |
| Engineering-Related Fields(1yr data) | $66,798 | 4.3x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General(1yr data) | $61,699 | 4.0x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $58,831 | 3.8x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $56,764 | 3.6x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services(1yr data) | $53,062 | 3.4x |
| Human Resources Management and Services(1yr data) | $47,640 | 3.0x |
| Biology, General | $46,164 | 3.0x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $44,324 | 2.8x |
| Sociology | $43,549 | 2.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $42,599 | 2.7x |
| Marketing(1yr data) | $41,942 | 2.7x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $38,054 | 2.4x |
| Psychology, General | $34,531 | 2.2x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,462 | 2.2x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General(1yr data) | $33,944 | 2.2x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $32,940 | 2.1x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $30,327 | 1.9x |
| Behavioral Sciences(1yr data) | $28,340 | 1.8x |
| Computer Software and Media ApplicationsLowest(1yr data) | $21,532 | 1.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Purdue University Northwest stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $48,318 10 years after starting, $3,318 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.7 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.