Purdue University Northwest combines moderate selectivity with strong affordability outcomes. The university delivers $3,624 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining net costs well below peer institutions, supporting long-term financial stability for graduates from diverse backgrounds.
Positioned around the national average, reflecting moderate earnings outcomes relative to educational investment
With strong performance, reflecting controlled costs and reasonable debt levels relative to outcomes
With above average performance, indicating solid enrollment of first-generation and Pell-eligible students
With above average performance, showing the institution's ability to support economic advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisPurdue University Northwest provides solid return on investment through controlled costs and manageable debt levels. Graduates earn $3,624 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing the university at the 69.8th percentile for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $48,318 ten years after enrollment, with outcomes ranging from $27,192 at the 25th percentile to $75,170 at the 75th percentile. This wide earnings distribution reflects the institution's diverse program portfolio, from high-earning nursing and engineering tracks to more modest liberal arts outcomes.
Students seeking affordable, accessible higher education with strong career preparation, particularly in nursing, engineering technology, and business fields. Well-suited for first-generation students (43.0%) and working professionals who value practical skills training alongside manageable debt levels at a public institution.
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.
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This is the Purdue University Northwest hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/purdue-university-northwest/analysis.
Accessible public education with practical career focus
Purdue University Northwest ranks #438 nationally with above average composite performance at the 73.1st percentile. Located in Hammond, Indiana, this medium-sized public university combines accessible admission with practical career-focused programs.
The university admits 70.6% of applicants while maintaining strong academic standards, with SAT scores ranging from 920 to 1,140 and performance well above average at the 87th percentile nationally. Purdue University Northwest enrolls 27.7% Pell-eligible students and 43.0% first-generation students, demonstrating significant commitment to serving diverse student populations.
The institution delivers $3,624 in earnings beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 69.8th percentile nationally. Graduates earn a median of $48,318 ten years after enrollment, positioned as modestly below average at the 36th percentile.
As an Opportunity Builder, Purdue University Northwest focuses on providing educational access while working to strengthen post-graduation economic outcomes.
Purdue University Northwest admits 70.6% of applicants, meaning roughly 7 in 10 applicants receive offers of admission. This places the university in the Moderately Selective category, making it significantly more accessible than highly selective institutions while maintaining meaningful academic standards.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% indicates that Purdue University Northwest is somewhat more selective than typical public regional universities, accepting 14 percentage points fewer applicants than comparable institutions. This moderate selectivity level suggests that most academically prepared students have reasonable admission prospects, though the university does maintain standards that screen for college readiness.
Students should approach Purdue University Northwest as a match or safety school rather than a reach, depending on their academic preparation. The admission rate reflects the institution's mission to serve diverse student populations while maintaining quality, making it accessible to first-generation and working students who need educational opportunity.
For students building comprehensive college lists, Purdue University Northwest represents a solid option that balances accessibility with academic standards, particularly for those interested in nursing, engineering technology, and business programs where the university demonstrates strong outcomes.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Purdue University Northwest's published cost of attendance reaches $16,287 annually—comprising $8,419 in-state tuition, $9,097 for room and board, and $598 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $8,463 after financial aid, representing savings of $7,824 through institutional and federal assistance.
This net price places Purdue University Northwest well below the peer median of $14,093, providing $5,630 in annual savings compared to similar institutions. The substantial gap between sticker price and actual cost demonstrates the university's commitment to affordability through need-based aid targeting.
Out-of-state students face higher tuition of $15,620, though financial aid helps offset this premium for qualifying students. The university's affordability ranking at the 88.2nd percentile reflects strong performance in keeping education costs manageable relative to post-graduation outcomes.
Net price variation across income levels shows progressive aid distribution, with lowest-income families paying $4,256 compared to $14,972 for highest earners. This $10,716 spread between income tiers indicates substantial aid targeting toward students with greatest financial need, supporting the institution's access mission for first-generation and Pell-eligible students.
Purdue University Northwest graduates demonstrate steady earnings performance with notable program-specific variation. Median earnings remain stable from $48,439 six years after enrollment to $48,318 at ten years, with slight dip to $49,368 at eight years, representing minimal growth over the career trajectory.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 4,143 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $3,624 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing the university at the 69.8th percentile for value-added performance.
Low-income graduates earn $38,100 annually, reflecting the challenges faced by students from lower-income backgrounds. Earnings span from $27,192 at the 25th percentile to $75,170 at the 75th percentile, a 2.8:1 ratio indicating significant differences across career paths and program choices.
Approximately 32.7% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, suggesting strong preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education. The institution's focus on practical, career-oriented programs helps explain both the earnings stability and the program-specific variation in outcomes.
Mechanical Engineering.
62 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
655 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
41 graduates
Computer Science.
24 graduates
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician.
31 graduates
Purdue University Northwest offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data available for analysis. Adult Health Nursing dominates the institutional profile, ranking #47 nationally and #1 in Indiana, graduating 655 students with median earnings of $75,243 and an exceptional value score of 83.2.
Mechanical Engineering ranks #187 nationally and #5 in Indiana, producing 62 graduates earning $77,927 with strong career placement. Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology ranks #19 nationally and #4 in Indiana, graduating 63 students with median earnings of $67,622.
Adult and Continuing Education Teaching ranks #116 nationally but #5 in Indiana, serving 86 students with earnings of $42,599. Business programs show solid performance, with Business Administration and Management ranking #205 nationally and #4 in Indiana.
The nursing program's combination of large cohort size, top state ranking, and strong earnings outcomes positions it as the institution's flagship offering, while engineering and technology programs provide additional high-earning pathways for students seeking technical careers.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of North Carolina Wilmington Similar quality tier (#435 ranked) | NC | 74% | $54,967 | #435 | Compare |
Indiana University-Kokomo Similar quality tier in Midwest (#433 ranked) | IN | 85% | $49,917 | #433 | Compare |
Western Kentucky University Similar quality tier (#432 ranked) | KY | 97% | $43,889 | #432 | Compare |
Suny College At Plattsburgh Similar quality tier (#436 ranked) | NY | 75% | $56,403 | #436 | Compare |
University Of Missouri-St Louis Similar quality tier in Midwest (#439 ranked) | MO | 57% | $53,037 | #439 | Compare |
