Purdue University-Main Campus vs Ball State University
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
Purdue University-Main Campus holds a 37-point ROI advantage over Ball State University, scoring 91/100 versus 54/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Purdue University-Main Campus comes in at $14,600 per year (net price after aid) versus $14,940 at Ball State University - a difference of $340 annually, or roughly $1,360 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Purdue University-Main Campus graduates earn a median of $72,424 compared to $51,833 at Ball State University. The payback period is 5.3 years at Purdue University-Main Campus versus 11.9 years at Ball State University.
Graduates leave Purdue University-Main Campus with a median $19,500 in debt versus $23,250 at Ball State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.40 and 0.66 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Purdue University-Main Ca... | Ball State University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $9,992 | $11,082 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $28,794 | $29,630 |
| Net Price (avg) | $14,600 | $14,940 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $58,400 | $59,760 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $49,000 | $35,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $72,424 | $51,833 |
| Graduation Rate | 83.1% | 62.3% |
| Payback Period | 5.3 yr | 11.9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,500 | $23,250 |
| Monthly Payment | $207 | $246 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.40 | 0.66 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 85.8% | 74.1% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 83.0% | 68.5% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 49.9% | 85.5% |
| Enrollment | 44,503 | 13,988 |
| SAT Range | 1200-1480 | 1080-1260 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Purdue University-Ma... | Ball State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $5,098 | $7,834 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $6,241 | $9,848 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,438 | $14,333 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $18,177 | $19,567 |
| $110,001+ | $22,742 | $23,479 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Purdue University-Ma... | Ball State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $99,896 | $79,620 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $93,976 | $77,774 |
| Accounting | $90,119 | $75,559 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $88,474 | $73,664 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $85,924 | $70,833 |
| Marketing | $84,725 | $64,895 |
| Economics | $83,195 | $56,782 |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations | $82,441 | $78,401 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $81,040 | $75,703 |
| Registered Nursing | $80,403 | $76,161 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $72,724 | $55,053 |
| International Relations | $71,601 | $58,953 |
| Natural Resources Conservation | $69,768 | $34,000 |
| Chemistry | $67,680 | $63,764 |
| Landscape Architecture | $67,113 | $65,382 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Purdue University-Ma... | Ball State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 94 | 63 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 92 | 50 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 87 | 38 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 91 | 64 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 88 | 52 |
| Overall ROI Score | 91 | 54 |
The Verdict
Purdue University-Main Campus significantly outperforms Ball State University on financial ROI (91 vs 54). The 37-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Ball State University 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 Purdue University-Main Campus.
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Purdue University-Main Campus
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
Ball State University
Below Average 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.