At $11,513/yr net price, Purdue University Fort Wayne graduates earn $45,872/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,872/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,513 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $46,052 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,872/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,872/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 32.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,813/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,481/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,933/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,700/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,670/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $109,095 | $50,646 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $81,333 | $19,974 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $63,749 | $25,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $62,508 | $27,000 |
| 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 | $24,772 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies. | Bachelor | $51,106 | $21,784 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $50,856 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $46,087 |
The Risk Factor
32.5% of students at Purdue University Fort Wayne graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Purdue University Fort Wayne gives you a low-cost entry with a modest payoff and real completion risk. The net price is well below most four-year schools, and median debt stays manageable. But median earnings ten years out land below what many public schools deliver, and only a third of students finish. That gap between low cost and weak completion is the central problem here.
Your major decides everything. Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering Technology both clear $62,000, roughly $17,000 above the school-wide median. Computer and Information Sciences and Electrical Engineering Technology also pay well, feeding directly into Fort Wayne's manufacturing and industrial base. Nursing sits lower at $51,813 but comes with steady regional demand. Outside these technical and health fields, the earnings data thins out, and the school-wide median of $45,872 suggests many other paths return little on your investment.
The biggest financial risk is not finishing. With a 32.5% graduation rate and a 64% retention rate, a large share of students leave with debt and no degree. Debt without a credential is the worst outcome, and the odds of it here are high. The engineering and nursing programs also carry heavier debt loads, $25,000 to $27,000, though their salaries justify it.
If your family income is under $48,000, you pay around $7,000 a year, which makes the math work even on moderate post-graduation earnings. Above $110,000, you pay closer to $17,670, and the return gets tighter unless you land in a high-paying program. This school fits you if you commit to CS, engineering technology, or nursing and plan to work in the Fort Wayne region. If you are undecided or drawn to lower-earning fields, the completion odds make it a gamble.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Purdue University Fort Wayne worth the cost?
Purdue University Fort Wayne offers decent value with a net price of $11,513 and 10-year earnings of $45,872, but the 32.5% graduation rate is concerning. Students who complete nursing or business programs see strong returns, while other majors may struggle to justify costs.
What are the best paying majors at Purdue University Fort Wayne?
Nursing programs at Purdue University Fort Wayne lead earnings at $109,095, followed by business at $81,333. Engineering and computer science graduates earn in the $60,000-63,000 range, making these programs the strongest financial bets.
How much debt do Purdue University Fort Wayne graduates have?
Purdue University Fort Wayne graduates carry a median debt of $21,500, which is manageable for nursing and business majors but could be problematic for lower-earning fields. With only one-third of students graduating, many leave with debt but no degree.
Does Purdue University Fort Wayne have good job placement?
Purdue University Fort Wayne's job outcomes vary dramatically by program, with nursing graduates earning strong salaries but the overall low graduation rate suggesting many students don't reach career goals. The school works better for students in high-demand healthcare and business fields.