Purdue University-Main Campus 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
Purdue University-Main Campus holds a 56-point ROI advantage over Purdue University Fort Wayne, scoring 91/100 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 $14,600 at Purdue University-Main Campus - a difference of $1,429 annually, or roughly $5,716 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Purdue University-Main Campus graduates earn a median of $72,424 compared to $45,872 at Purdue University Fort Wayne. The payback period is 5.3 years at Purdue University-Main Campus versus 17.7 years at Purdue University Fort Wayne.
Graduates leave Purdue University-Main Campus with a median $19,500 in debt versus $21,500 at Purdue University Fort Wayne. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.40 and 0.65 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Purdue University-Main Ca... | Purdue University Fort Wa... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $9,992 | $9,532 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $28,794 | $22,887 |
| Net Price (avg) | $14,600 | $13,171 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $58,400 | $52,684 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $49,000 | $33,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $72,424 | $45,872 |
| Graduation Rate | 83.1% | 36.3% |
| Payback Period | 5.3 yr | 17.7 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,500 | $21,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $207 | $228 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.40 | 0.65 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 85.8% | 71.1% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 83.0% | 57.5% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 49.9% | 83.9% |
| Enrollment | 44,503 | 5,484 |
| SAT Range | 1200-1480 | 970-1220 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Purdue University-Ma... | Purdue University Fo... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $5,098 | $8,306 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $6,241 | $8,703 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,438 | $12,444 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $18,177 | $18,430 |
| $110,001+ | $22,742 | $20,224 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Purdue University-Ma... | Purdue University Fo... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $146,685 | $101,396 |
| Electrical Engineering | $105,396 | $67,236 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $102,572 | $85,075 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $99,896 | $69,013 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $86,891 | $81,259 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $81,040 | $60,816 |
| Registered Nursing | $80,403 | $74,918 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $65,517 | $46,619 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $59,050 | $47,614 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $58,917 | $44,227 |
| Hospitality Administration | $58,861 | $44,909 |
| Mathematics | $58,453 | $43,893 |
| Biology | $58,225 | $50,366 |
| Sociology | $55,072 | $27,749 |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $54,559 | $46,723 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Purdue University-Ma... | Purdue University Fo... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 94 | 43 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 92 | 30 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 87 | 40 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 91 | 16 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 88 | 43 |
| Overall ROI Score | 91 | 35 |
The Verdict
Purdue University-Main Campus significantly outperforms Purdue University Fort Wayne on financial ROI (91 vs 35). The 56-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 Purdue University-Main Campus.
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Purdue University-Main Campus
Exceptional 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.