At $8,463/yr net price, Purdue University Northwest graduates earn $48,318/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $14,318/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,463 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $33,852 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,318/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$14,318/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 44.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,229 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,256/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,935/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,143/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,805/yr |
| $110,001+ | $14,972/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
44.0% of students at Purdue University Northwest graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Purdue University Northwest gives you a low upfront cost and a steep gap between what you study and what you earn. At $8,463 a year in net price against median earnings around $48,000 a decade out, the base math works if you pick the right major. The problem is that the median hides a wide spread between programs that pay and programs that don't.
Engineering and nursing are where the money is. Electrical engineering graduates clear over $72,000, industrial production technicians hit $67,000, and nursing lands around $65,000 with the lowest debt on the list at under $18,000. Mechanical and electrical engineering technology graduates land in the low $60,000s. These fit the industrial job market around Hammond and northwest Indiana, where manufacturing and healthcare hire steadily. If you enroll in one of these and finish, the return is strong.
The real risk here is not price, it's finishing. A 44% graduation rate and 68% retention mean a large share of students leave, and if you borrow and don't graduate, you carry debt with no degree to pay it back. The typical borrower leaves with about $21,000, but engineering majors carry more, around $25,000 to $26,000, so the payoff depends on landing the higher-earning job that credential supports.
The net price tiers are worth reading closely. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay under $5,000 a year, which makes this a low-risk bet. Above $75,000, your price roughly triples to $13,000 to $15,000, and at that cost the value case rests entirely on graduating in a high-earning field.
This school fits you if you want an engineering or nursing degree and can commit to finishing. If you're undecided or leaning toward lower-paying majors not listed here, the weak completion odds make it a shakier bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Purdue University Northwest worth the cost compared to other schools?
Purdue University Northwest offers solid value with a low net price of $8,463 per year and moderate debt levels around $21,229. However, the 44% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which significantly hurts ROI for those who drop out.
What are the highest paying majors at Purdue University Northwest?
Business administration graduates earn around $86,867 annually, while engineering fields pay $72,000-$74,000. These programs offer strong returns given the school's affordable tuition, but nursing graduates earn less at $65,123 despite high demand in the field.
How much debt do Purdue University Northwest graduates typically have?
The median debt is $21,229, which is manageable compared to national averages. With 10-year earnings averaging $48,318, graduates in lower-paying fields may struggle with loan payments relative to their income.
Does Purdue University Northwest have good job placement after graduation?
The school's 72% acceptance rate and regional focus means it serves many local students seeking practical career training. Job outcomes vary significantly by program, with business and engineering majors seeing much better salary prospects than the overall graduate average of $48,318.