Indiana University-Bloomington vs Purdue University Fort Wayne
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Indiana University-Bloomington holds a 49-point ROI advantage over Purdue University Fort Wayne, scoring 84/100 versus 35/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Purdue University Fort Wayne comes in at $13,171 per year (net price after aid) versus $16,264 at Indiana University-Bloomington - a difference of $3,093 annually, or roughly $12,372 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Indiana University-Bloomington graduates earn a median of $63,742 compared to $45,872 at Purdue University Fort Wayne. The payback period is 7.1 years at Indiana University-Bloomington versus 17.7 years at Purdue University Fort Wayne.
Graduates leave Indiana University-Bloomington with a median $19,509 in debt versus $21,500 at Purdue University Fort Wayne. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.44 and 0.65 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Indiana University-Bloomi... | Purdue University Fort Wa... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $12,144 | $9,532 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $41,891 | $22,887 |
| Net Price (avg) | $16,264 | $13,171 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $65,056 | $52,684 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $44,200 | $33,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $63,742 | $45,872 |
| Graduation Rate | 80.2% | 36.3% |
| Payback Period | 7.1 yr | 17.7 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,509 | $21,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $207 | $228 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.44 | 0.65 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 82.1% | 71.1% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 77.7% | 57.5% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 78.2% | 83.9% |
| Enrollment | 37,806 | 5,484 |
| SAT Range | 1170-1400 | 970-1220 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Indiana University-B... | Purdue University Fo... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $6,324 | $8,306 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $7,610 | $8,703 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $12,154 | $12,444 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $20,204 | $18,430 |
| $110,001+ | $25,128 | $20,224 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Indiana University-B... | Purdue University Fo... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $114,199 | $101,396 |
| Business Administration and Management | $105,583 | $63,627 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $98,539 | $69,013 |
| Mathematics | $89,112 | $43,893 |
| Registered Nursing | $81,781 | $74,918 |
| Public Administration | $77,422 | $53,257 |
| Biology | $65,224 | $50,366 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $63,855 | $46,619 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $60,199 | $47,614 |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $58,390 | $46,723 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $57,754 | $46,046 |
| Sociology | $56,591 | $27,749 |
| English Language and Literature | $56,204 | $38,113 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $54,630 | $44,227 |
| Psychology | $53,867 | $49,582 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Indiana University-B... | Purdue University Fo... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 86 | 43 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 82 | 30 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 83 | 40 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 90 | 16 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 77 | 43 |
| Overall ROI Score | 84 | 35 |
The Verdict
Indiana University-Bloomington significantly outperforms Purdue University Fort Wayne on financial ROI (84 vs 35). The 49-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Purdue University Fort Wayne offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors Indiana University-Bloomington.
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Indiana University-Bloomington
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.