Texas A&M University-College Station vs Purdue University-Main Campus
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
Texas A&M University-College Station and Purdue University-Main Campus are closely matched on financial return. Texas A&M University-College Station scores 89/100 while Purdue University-Main Campus scores 91/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, Purdue University-Main Campus comes in at $14,600 per year (net price after aid) versus $21,315 at Texas A&M University-College Station - a difference of $6,715 annually, or roughly $26,860 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Purdue University-Main Campus graduates earn a median of $72,424 compared to $72,097 at Texas A&M University-College Station. The payback period is 6.1 years at Texas A&M University-College Station versus 5.3 years at Purdue University-Main Campus.
Graduates leave Texas A&M University-College Station with a median $17,804 in debt versus $19,500 at Purdue University-Main Campus. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.33 and 0.40 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Texas A&M University-Coll... | Purdue University-Main Ca... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $13,154 | $9,992 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $40,124 | $28,794 |
| Net Price (avg) | $21,315 | $14,600 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $85,260 | $58,400 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $53,600 | $49,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $72,097 | $72,424 |
| Graduation Rate | 83.9% | 83.1% |
| Payback Period | 6.1 yr | 5.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $17,804 | $19,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $189 | $207 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.33 | 0.40 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 88.5% | 85.8% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 85.2% | 83.0% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 57.4% | 49.9% |
| Enrollment | 59,615 | 44,503 |
| SAT Range | 1150-1400 | 1200-1480 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Texas A&M University... | Purdue University-Ma... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $12,784 | $5,098 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $13,317 | $6,241 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $17,435 | $9,438 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $26,520 | $18,177 |
| $110,001+ | $30,660 | $22,742 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Texas A&M University... | Purdue University-Ma... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $124,283 | $146,685 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $129,401 | $99,896 |
| Computer Engineering | $127,042 | $121,462 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $112,319 | $85,924 |
| Chemical Engineering | $111,073 | $104,514 |
| Industrial Engineering | $95,918 | $107,031 |
| Electrical Engineering | $103,789 | $105,396 |
| Accounting | $103,662 | $90,119 |
| Nuclear Engineering | $103,438 | $63,226 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $97,903 | $102,572 |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $99,943 | $85,224 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $97,227 | $97,332 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $93,305 | $93,434 |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations | $93,141 | $82,441 |
| Physics | $92,826 | $67,505 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Texas A&M University... | Purdue University-Ma... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 85 | 94 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 89 | 92 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 92 | 87 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 92 | 91 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 93 | 88 |
| Overall ROI Score | 89 | 91 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Purdue University-Main Campus edges out Texas A&M University-College Station by 2 points (91 vs 89), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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Texas A&M University-College Station
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Purdue University-Main Campus
Exceptional 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.