Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 44.2%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 44.0%
- Retention Rate
- 67.7%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $48,318
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $21,229
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 42.2%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $225/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $86,867 | $41,226 |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Master | $74,576 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $72,796 | $25,147 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $67,660 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $65,123 | $17,908 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $62,409 | $26,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $62,260 | $22,352 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $58,221 | $20,750 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $52,107 | $25,000 |
| Education, General. | Master | $43,426 | $28,188 |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| Education, General. | Bachelor | $41,342 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $39,214 | $26,850 |
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other. | Bachelor | $38,289 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $24,500 |
Outcomes Overview
Purdue University Northwest graduates earn a median of $48,318 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt of $21,229. This creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 44%, well below concerning thresholds. Monthly loan payments of $225 represent about 5.6% of gross income, a reasonable burden for most graduates. The school's engineering and technology focus helps explain the strong 96.5% employment rate. Many graduates find work in the region's manufacturing sector or with companies like BP and ArcelorMittal that have significant northwest Indiana operations. While the earnings aren't spectacular, the combination of modest debt loads, high employment rates, and affordable education costs creates a strong return on investment for students seeking practical career preparation.