Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Purdue University Fort Wayne #663 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 58.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Purdue University Fort Wayne #763 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — reflecting strong outcomes for students from diverse backgrounds. Purdue University Fort Wayne delivers consistent value as a regional public university, combining accessible pricing with workforce-aligned programs that support upward mobility. The institution's mobility ranking reflects its ability to serve students across the income spectrum while maintaining strong post-graduation outcomes.
Azimuth ranks Purdue University Fort Wayne #663 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public master's university in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Purdue University Fort Wayne enrolls roughly 5,484 undergraduates. Retention stands at 66.6% and the six-year graduation rate is 36.3%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional public institution. Where Purdue University Fort Wayne performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Purdue University Fort Wayne #890 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $56,455, and they earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Purdue University Fort Wayne in the 58.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's business-focused program portfolio — with Business as the dominant field — aligns directly with regional employer demand and contributes to strong early-career financial outcomes. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Purdue University Fort Wayne sits in the 44.2 percentile for access and the 81.5 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. With 24.8% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 35.2% first-generation, the institution serves a meaningful share of cost-sensitive students. For families weighing long-term value, the combination of manageable net pricing, solid graduation rates, and earnings outcomes that exceed those of many regional peers positions Purdue University Fort Wayne as a practical choice for students seeking direct pathways to stable employment and financial independence.
Purdue University Fort Wayne's published cost of attendance is $22,183. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $8,306, mid-low-income families pay around $8,703, middle-income families pay about $12,444, mid-high-income families pay approximately $18,430, and higher-income families pay around $20,224. Azimuth ranks Purdue University Fort Wayne #265 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Purdue University Fort Wayne participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. The university's aid structure combines need-based and merit-based components, with need-based aid available to eligible families through the FAFSA. Institutional scholarships supplement federal and state aid, helping to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $12,362; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $56,455, median federal debt of $21,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $243 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Purdue University Fort Wayne is a strong fit for students interested in business and applied fields who want a public university experience in Fort Wayne, IN. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $56,455, placing Purdue University Fort Wayne in the 31.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 58.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 24.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 35.2% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Purdue University Fort Wayne in the 8.1 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 83.9% admit rate makes the application process moderately selective, and the program mix favors business and applied fields over research-oriented ones. Students whose interests align with those areas will find the earnings trajectory and aid package competitive in IN's regional labor market.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Purdue University Fort Wayne hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Purdue University Fort Wayne's published cost of attendance is $22,183. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $8,306, mid-low-income families pay around $8,703, middle-income families pay about $12,444, mid-high-income families pay approximately $18,430, and higher-income families pay around $20,224.
Azimuth ranks Purdue University Fort Wayne #265 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Purdue University Fort Wayne participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. The university's aid structure combines need-based and merit-based components, with need-based aid available to eligible families through the FAFSA.
Institutional scholarships supplement federal and state aid, helping to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $12,362; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $56,455, median federal debt of $21,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $243 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Purdue University Fort Wayne earn median 4-year earnings of $56,455, placing Purdue University Fort Wayne in the 31.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Purdue University Fort Wayne in the 58.6 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Purdue University Fort Wayne #890 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Purdue University Fort Wayne's strength in business and applied professional fields.
Business/Commerce, General is the largest program with 131 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $63,627, performing at 0.9× the national benchmark for the field. The Teacher Education program graduates 108 students with median 4-year earnings of $45,525, and General Studies delivers median 4-year earnings of $44,299 for 75 graduates.
These programs anchor the institution's return story, with Business representing the dominant academic concentration and driving consistent outcomes across the student body.
Computer Science
39 graduates
Mechanical Engineering
15 graduates
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
26 graduates
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
13 graduates
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
6 graduates
Purdue University Fort Wayne's program mix is anchored in applied business and technical fields, reflecting its identity as a regional public university serving the Fort Wayne workforce. Business/Commerce, General is the largest program with 131 graduates, followed by Teacher Education, General Studies, Research Psychology, and Biology, General.
Business represents 19% of degrees, with Education at 12% and Engineering at 6%, creating a portfolio oriented toward direct workforce entry and employer alignment in the region. The highest-earning programs cluster in applied technical and business fields.
Computer Science graduates earn median earnings of $101,396 four years after enrollment with 39 graduates, while Business/Commerce, General delivers $63,627 with 131 graduates and Business Administration reaches $60,816 with 44 graduates. Public Administration and Biology, General round out the earnings leaders with $53,257 and $50,366 respectively, demonstrating consistent strength across applied professional fields.
These programs reflect high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the regional and national labor market directly in fields like business, engineering, and applied technology. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Purdue University Fort Wayne's dominant program families align with workforce demand in Indiana and the broader Midwest.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Southern Indiana Similar quality tier in Midwest (#19214 ranked) | IN | 96% | $47,605 | #19214 | Compare |
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania Similar quality tier (#19193 ranked) | PA | 91% | $53,775 | #19193 | Compare |
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Similar quality tier (#19190 ranked) | GA | 76% | $34,996 | #19190 | Compare |
Frostburg State University Similar quality tier (#19222 ranked) | MD | 89% | $55,493 | #19222 | Compare |
Lewis-Clark State College Similar quality tier (#19225 ranked) | ID | 88% | $46,001 | #19225 | Compare |
