Purdue University Northwest
#3 Most Affordable Colleges in Indiana- Graduation Rate
- 43% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $48,318 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $6,079 A
- 65% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 72% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 39.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $39.6 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Most Affordable Colleges in Indiana.
Every $1 spent returns $39.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $939,607.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduation of 43% — 24% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $39.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Purdue University Northwest Matters
Purdue University Northwest is a public university in Hammond, IN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 5,671
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Engineering, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Purdue University Northwest
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 72% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 890–1140. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $6,079 a year after grants and scholarships — 65% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $48,318 ten years after enrolling — 18% above the typical college, against $21,229 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.30 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
Purdue University Northwest is a solid choice for students interested in practical majors like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Engineering, Computer Science & IT, and Psychology. With an acceptance rate of 72%, it attracts a diverse group of learners who are looking for accessible education that can lead to real-world opportunities. The university's focus on career-oriented programs makes it a good fit for those who want to prepare for the workforce right after graduation.
After students leave Purdue Northwest, they can expect to earn around $48,318 within ten years of graduating. That’s a reasonable starting point for many in today’s job market. While the graduation rate sits at 43%, it suggests that students who persist often find their footing and build successful careers. Affordability is a plus here, especially with a net price of approximately $6,079 after aid. It means students can focus on learning without the heavy burden of debt.
Speaking of debt, the median student debt is $21,229, which is manageable compared to the earning potential. Students who thrive here often appreciate the balance of academic rigor and support, making the most of their college experience. With nearly a third of students receiving Pell Grants, there’s a sense of community and shared purpose, which helps foster a supportive environment. Overall, Purdue Northwest is a place where practical education meets affordability, setting students up for a brighter future.
Rankings
- #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Indiana
- #8 Best Nursing Colleges in Indiana
- #10 Best Engineering Colleges in Indiana
- #16 Best Computer Science Colleges in Indiana
- #16 Best Data Science Colleges in Indiana
- #22 Best Bachelor's Programs in Indiana
- #23 Best Master's Programs in Indiana
- #23 Best Online Colleges in Indiana
Can I Get In?
How selective Purdue University Northwest is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Purdue University Northwest? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Hammond, Indiana, Purdue University Northwest admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 72%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,024. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 72%
- Retention Rate
- 66%
- SAT Average
- 1024
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 890–1140
- ACT Range
- 16–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 98%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,864
- Diversity Index
- 0.68
- First-Gen Students
- 43%
- Applicants
- 5,670
- Admitted
- 4,129
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Purdue University Northwest? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Purdue University Northwest is $16,094, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $6,079. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $1,432 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,229 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,675
- Out-of-State
- $16,094
- Avg Net Price
- $6,079
- Median Debt
- $21,229
- Pell Grant Rate
- 28%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 25%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $1,432
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $2,428
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $7,026
- Family Income $110K+
- $13,645
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Purdue University Northwest — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Purdue University Northwest Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $48,318, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $48,439
- 8 Years
- $49,368
- 10 Years
- $48,318
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.44x
- Earning > $25K
- 54%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (306)
- 22%
- 100% (306)
- 22%
- 100% (306)
- 22%
- 100% (306)
- 22%
How Purdue Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Purdue University Northwest Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Purdue University Northwest delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $6,079/year ($24,316 total). Graduates earn $48,318 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $963,923 in total earnings — a net gain of $939,607 (39.6× your investment). The median debt is $21,229, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 43% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $24,316
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $963,923
- Net Return
- $939,607
- ROI Multiple
- 39.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $6,079
- Median Debt
- $21,229
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Top Programs
The fields Purdue University Northwest awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 32% $77,379 early-career
- Business & Marketing 19% $69,630 early-career
- Engineering 8% $86,496 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 6% $44,840 early-career
- Education 5% $49,122 early-career
- Psychology 4% $31,207 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $29,935 early-career
- Communications 3% $27,526 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Purdue University Northwest's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Purdue University Northwest? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Hammond, Indiana, Purdue University Northwest admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 72%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,024. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Purdue University Northwest? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Purdue University Northwest is $16,094, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $6,079. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $1,432 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,229 in federal student loans.
Is Purdue University Northwest Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $48,318, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Purdue University Northwest? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Purdue University Northwest. Its economic connectedness score is 1.30, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Purdue University Northwest.
- Valdosta State UniversityValdosta, GA · Close peer42% grad $49,361 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Indiana State UniversityTerre Haute, IN · Close peer42% grad $48,387 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Michigan-FlintFlint, MI · Close peer42% grad $53,230 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Clayton State UniversityMorrow, GA · Close peer38% grad $49,179 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Saginaw Valley State UniversityUniversity Center, MI · Close peer51% grad $51,955 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of New OrleansNew Orleans, LA · Close peer40% grad $47,872 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Purdue University Northwest? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Purdue University Northwest. Its economic connectedness score is 1.30, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note