Head-to-Head Comparison
Purdue University-Main Campus vs Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Terre Haute, IN
- Purdue University-Main Wins
- 24
- Tied
- 10
- Rose-Hulman Technology Wins
- 10
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Purdue University-Main Campus offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $14,600 vs Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's $42,513, Purdue University-Main Campus delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Purdue University-Main Campus's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
44 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Purdue University-Main
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,600, roughly $27,913 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 83% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $19,500, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 50% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Rose-Hulman Technology
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $101,253 ten years after enrollment, 40% more than Purdue University
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Purdue University-Main graduates concentrate in Engineering (25% of degrees); Rose-Hulman Technology in Engineering (73%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology over Purdue University. Median earnings of $101,253 ten years after enrollment vs $72,424.
Pick Purdue University over Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Net price $14,600 vs $42,513.
Pick Purdue University over Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. 83% completion rate vs 80%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Purdue University and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology are close on paper, but Purdue University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Purdue University is the harder admit. It takes 50% of applicants, while Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology takes 77%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,364 to 1,427.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Purdue University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Purdue University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $14,600, about $27,913 a year below Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's $42,513. Graduates of Purdue University also borrow less: median debt of $19,500, against $25,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $111,652 before any change in aid. Choosing Purdue University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates report median earnings of $101,253, compared with $72,424 at Purdue University. That is a 40% advantage. Set against borrowing, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.25x to 0.27x.
So what: An earnings gap of 40% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Purdue University graduates a larger share of its students, 83% versus 80%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 3% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Purdue University to keep costs and debt down; pick Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Purdue University saves about $27,913 a year, yet Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn $28,829 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Purdue University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, while Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology leans toward Mathematics & Statistics. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Purdue University's enrollment, and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Purdue University's enrollment of 44,503 far exceeds Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's 2,309.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $42,513 runs well above Purdue University's $14,600.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,000, against $19,500 at Purdue University.
- Business and consulting-track students: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has less business program depth, and Purdue University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Test scores matter less at Rose-Hulman Technology, where only about 26% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 4 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN · Public
With an enrollment of over 44,500 students, Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, is a solid choice for those who thrive in a large, dynamic environment. It’s particularly appealing for students interested in engineering, business, computer science, biology, and social sciences. The 50% acceptance rate suggests a competitive atmosphere, and the 83% graduation rate indicates that many students are successfully completing their degrees.
After graduation, students can expect a median earning of $72,424 after ten years. That’s a significant number, especially for graduates entering fields like engineering and technology. While the cost of attendance is reasonable, the long-term financial outlook is promising, making it clear that a degree from Purdue can lead to solid career opportunities.
When it comes to affordability, the net price after aid averages around $14,600, which is manageable for many families. With a median debt of $19,500, students leave with a debt load that is relatively low compared to potential earnings. Those who tend to thrive here are often self-motivated, ambitious, and ready to take advantage of the university's strong programs and supportive resources.
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Terre Haute, IN · Private nonprofit
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn an impressive average of $101,253 within ten years of completing their degree. This strong earning potential highlights the value of a degree from this private nonprofit institution, with a focus on engineering and technical disciplines.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for Rose-Hulman, making it challenging to assess economic mobility comprehensively. However, the school's 80% graduation rate suggests that most students are successfully completing their programs. This retention rate is crucial for students considering their long-term career prospects and financial outcomes.
Students at Rose-Hulman face a net price of $42,513, with a median debt of $25,000 upon graduation. Despite the cost, the earnings potential can make this investment worthwhile. Those who thrive here typically have a strong interest in STEM fields, as the top programs are concentrated in engineering, computer science, mathematics, and the sciences.
Rankings They Appear On
Purdue University-Main Campus and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology appear together in 7 rankings. On the Best Engineering Colleges in Indiana, Purdue University-Main Campus ranks #2 — Purdue University-Main Campus outranks Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology by 3 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Mechanical Engineering as their top enrolled program field, comprising 25% of Purdue University-Main's student body and 73% of Rose-Hulman Technology's.
Purdue University-Main
Rose-Hulman Technology
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Purdue University-Main) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Rose-Hulman Technology).
The two schools feed different job markets. Purdue University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, while Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology concentrates in Mathematics & Statistics, Physical Sciences. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Purdue University or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
Purdue University is harder to get into, admitting 50% of applicants compared with 77% at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Which is more affordable, Purdue University or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
Purdue University is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,600 after aid versus $42,513 at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Do Purdue University or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $101,253 ten years after enrollment, versus $72,424 at Purdue University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Purdue University or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
Purdue University has the higher graduation rate, 83% versus 80%.
Should you choose Purdue University or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Purdue University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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