About Purdue University Fort Wayne
Purdue University Fort Wayne serves as the regional flagship for Indiana's largest public university system. The university enrolls 5,450 students on a campus that blends Purdue's engineering excellence with Fort Wayne's industrial heritage. With an 80.66% acceptance rate, the school welcomes students who typically score around 1095 on the SAT. The Mastodons compete in NCAA Division I athletics across 16 sports, giving this mid-sized university a big-time college feel.
Students pay an average net price of $11,513 after financial aid, making this one of the more affordable paths to a Purdue degree. Graduates earn a median of $45,872 ten years after leaving school. With typical debt loads around $21,500 and monthly loan payments of $228, most students can manage their education costs on entry-level salaries. The 96.1% employment rate shows employers value Fort Wayne graduates.
The university draws heavily from Indiana, with 88.18% of students staying in-state for college. Only 23.05% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting many come from working-class families just above the poverty line. The 32.50% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many students face balancing work and school. Those who persist benefit from a 13:1 student-faculty ratio.
Students pay an average net price of $11,513 after financial aid, making this one of the more affordable paths to a Purdue degree. Graduates earn a median of $45,872 ten years after leaving school. With typical debt loads around $21,500 and monthly loan payments of $228, most students can manage their education costs on entry-level salaries. The 96.1% employment rate shows employers value Fort Wayne graduates.
The university draws heavily from Indiana, with 88.18% of students staying in-state for college. Only 23.05% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting many come from working-class families just above the poverty line. The 32.50% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many students face balancing work and school. Those who persist benefit from a 13:1 student-faculty ratio.
Academics & Faculty
Purdue Fort Wayne emerged in 2018 when Purdue University took over the former Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne campus. The university maintains Purdue's strong engineering and technology focus while serving northeastern Indiana. Students benefit from a 13:1 student-faculty ratio that provides personal attention in smaller classes. However, the 34% four-year graduation rate reflects challenges many regional public universities face with part-time and working students. The school offers practical programs in engineering, business, and health sciences that connect directly to local industry needs. As a newer institution still establishing its identity, Purdue Fort Wayne combines Purdue's academic reputation with accessible education for students who often stay close to home.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 96.5%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 34.1%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 32.5%
- Retention Rate
- 64.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $45,872
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Medium)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $109,095 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $81,333 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $63,749 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $62,508 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $60,771 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $54,254 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $51,813 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies. | Bachelor | $51,106 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $50,856 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $46,087 |
Campus Life
Fort Wayne's 5,450 students experience a compact campus life where only 29% live on campus in residence halls that house 1,595 students. The university sits in Indiana's second-largest city, about two hours from Indianapolis and Chicago, giving students access to internships and jobs without big-city costs. Winter coats are essential here - Fort Wayne sees snow from December through March, with temperatures often dropping below freezing.
With 88% of students from Indiana, the campus has a hometown feel where many students commute from the surrounding area. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio means professors actually know your name, not just your student ID number. Weekends often center around Mastodons athletics, as the school competes in NCAA Division I with 16 varsity sports and 284 student-athletes. The relatively new university (founded in 2018) is still building traditions, but students find community through intramural sports and student organizations. Many students work part-time jobs in Fort Wayne's growing healthcare and manufacturing sectors, preparing for careers that typically yield $45,872 median earnings ten years after graduation.
With 88% of students from Indiana, the campus has a hometown feel where many students commute from the surrounding area. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio means professors actually know your name, not just your student ID number. Weekends often center around Mastodons athletics, as the school competes in NCAA Division I with 16 varsity sports and 284 student-athletes. The relatively new university (founded in 2018) is still building traditions, but students find community through intramural sports and student organizations. Many students work part-time jobs in Fort Wayne's growing healthcare and manufacturing sectors, preparing for careers that typically yield $45,872 median earnings ten years after graduation.
- Setting
- City-Large
- Housing Capacity
- 1,595 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 2018
Campus Safety (2023)
34 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dating Violence | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Burglary | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Domestic Violence | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rape | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Robbery | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 18°–32°F
- July Avg
- 63°–84°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 39.5"
- Annual Snowfall
- 33.6"
Student Demographics
Purdue University Fort Wayne draws overwhelmingly from Indiana, with nearly nine out of ten students staying close to home. This reflects the university's role as a regional powerhouse serving northeast Indiana's workforce needs. The student body tilts slightly male, which aligns with the school's strong engineering and technology programs inherited from its Purdue heritage. About one in four students receives Pell Grants, indicating the university fulfills its mission of making quality higher education accessible to working-class families in the Fort Wayne area and surrounding communities.
- Men
- 52.2%
- Women
- 47.8%
- White
- 69.2%
- Black
- 7.2%
- Hispanic
- 10.7%
- Asian
- 5.6%
- In-State Students
- 88.2%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 23.1%
Location
Fort Wayne sits in northeastern Indiana, about 120 miles southeast of Chicago and 180 miles northeast of Indianapolis. The city serves as Indiana's second-largest with around 270,000 residents, offering an urban environment without overwhelming size. Fort Wayne blends manufacturing heritage with growing healthcare and technology sectors, creating internship opportunities for the university's 5,450 students. The area features numerous parks, including the expansive Foster Park system, and maintains a lower cost of living than major metropolitan areas. With 88% of students coming from in-state, the university draws heavily from Indiana residents seeking affordable education close to home. Students considering colleges in Indiana may also compare Purdue University Fort Wayne with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805-1499
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $45,872
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $53,814
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $33,100
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 53.0%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $228/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $21,500
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Purdue University Fort Wayne?
Purdue University Fort Wayne accepts 80.66% of applicants with an average SAT score of 1095. This relatively high acceptance rate reflects the university's mission as a regional public institution serving northeast Indiana students.
How much does Purdue University Fort Wayne cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $11,513 annually, with lower-income families paying as little as $6,813. In-state tuition runs $9,254, making this one of the more affordable options in the Purdue system.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Purdue University Fort Wayne?
The university maintains a 13:1 student-faculty ratio across its 5,450 students. This smaller scale allows for more personalized attention than you'd find at Purdue's main West Lafayette campus.
Does Purdue University Fort Wayne have good graduation rates?
The six-year graduation rate stands at 32.5%, which is below national averages but typical for regional public universities serving many first-generation college students. The retention rate of 64.25% shows that students who stay engaged tend to persist.
Where do Purdue University Fort Wayne students live on campus?
Campus housing accommodates 1,595 students at $10,332 annually for room and board. With 88.18% of students coming from in-state, many commute from the Fort Wayne area rather than living on campus.
What makes Purdue University Fort Wayne unique as a newer institution?
Founded in 2018 when it separated from Indiana University, the school competes as the Mastodons in NCAA Division I with 16 varsity sports. Despite being the newest campus in the Purdue system, it already participates in the strong Big Ten Conference for athletics.
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